Wood Burning Fire Pits

Why choose a wood burning fire pit?

A fire pit that burns logs does something a gas burner can't: it gives off real radiant heat that you feel on your face and hands from a couple of metres away, with flames that move and crackle. That's the main reason people choose one. There's no gas bottle to buy, refill or hide, no hose and no ignition to go wrong, and the fuel is easy to find at any garage, farm shop or supermarket.

The trade-off is smoke, ash and a bit more effort. You have to light it, feed it and let it burn down, and you can't switch it off at the end of the evening. If you want instant, clean flame on a dining table, a fire pit table running on gas suits you better. If you love the look and feel of a real fire in the garden, read on.

Types of wood fire pits

Every outdoor fire pit on this page burns wood, but they work in different ways. Here's what each type is good at, with real figures from the listings.

Open fire bowls

The classic shape: a steel or iron bowl on legs, usually with a mesh spark screen and a fire poker. They throw heat out in every direction and are the cheapest way to get a big fire. The Blumfeldt Colima (65.5cm, 9.4kg, 1.2mm steel on a tripod), Endless Summer (74.4cm, 6.7kg) and Panovue FT-12090 (36in, 9.07kg) are typical. Open designs make the most smoke, so they suit bigger gardens rather than a small patio. More in our round fire pits.

Smokeless double-wall pits

The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0, Yukon 2.0, YEFU, Onlyfire FP037, Golabs and Briopaws use a hollow double wall. Air is drawn in at the bottom, heated in the gap and blown back in through holes near the rim, which burns off much of the smoke before it leaves the pit. They're cleaner and neater, but most of the heat goes up rather than out. See all our smokeless fire pits.

Fire pits with a grill or lid (3-in-1)

The Panovue FT-96501, Verdeluxe 96185G and PrimeZone 42in come with swivel cooking grates and a lid that turns the pit into a table. The Verdeluxe holds up to 9.1kg of firewood. Good if you want to cook as well as keep warm - see our fire pit BBQs.

Kadai bowls and fire rings

A Kadai is a deep, hand-riveted Indian bowl on a stand, like the 80cm Anna Bishop Design one that seats ten or more. Fire rings such as the Titan Great Outdoors (32in, 10 gauge steel) and Iron Forge Tools (36in) sit on the ground for a campfire feel.

Chimineas

A chiminea has a chimney that carries smoke up and away from faces. The Panovue metal chiminea is a tall, slim design, 114.3cm high with mesh on all four sides, so it still feels like an open fire.

Folding portable pits

The Snow Peak Pack & Carry (5.5kg), Explorer Bear Takibi and Winnerwell fold flat for the car boot. More in our portable fire pits.

Wood burning fire pits compared

Sizes, weights and fuels from the product listings for the in-stock pits that publish full specs, smallest first:

What size fire pit do you need?

Go by how many people will sit round it and how much space you have. As a rough guide from the makers' own seating figures:

• 2-4 people, small patio or balcony: 45-55cm, like the Bonfire 2.0, YEFU or Onlyfire FP037. See our small fire pits.
• 4-8 people, average garden: 65-81cm (26-32in), like the Blumfeldt Colima, SUNOUTLY or Yukon 2.0. Browse our 32 inch fire pits.
• 8 or more, big garden or parties: 89cm and up - the Fire Beauty RO6142, Verdeluxe 42in or Bali Outdoors 47in. See our 40 inch fire pits.

Leave space for chairs plus a clear gap all round, and remember a bigger fire bowl eats more fuel.

The best wood to burn in a fire pit

Dry wood is the single biggest thing you can do for a better fire. Wet or green logs hiss, smoulder, smoke heavily and give little heat because the fire wastes its energy boiling off water.

• Kiln dried hardwood (ash, oak, beech, birch) is the best choice. It lights easily, burns hot and lasts.
• Seasoned logs that have dried for a year or two under cover are just as good if their moisture is under 20%. A cheap moisture meter tells you.
• Softwood (pine, spruce) is fine for kindling and getting going, but it burns fast and spits.
• Charcoal and wood pellets work in many bowls - the Kadai, Onlyfire FP013 and Fire Beauty list them - but check the listing first.
• Never burn painted or treated timber, pallets, plastic or household rubbish.

In England, wood sold in bags or loads under 2 cubic metres must carry the Ready to Burn mark, which certifies a moisture content of 20% or less. Buy firewood with that label and you know they're dry enough.

Lighting it, less smoke and putting it out

Use the top-down method: two or three larger logs at the bottom, smaller split logs crossways on top, then kindling and a natural firelighter on the very top. Light the top and it burns downwards, which gives a cleaner, less smoky start than a bonfire-style pile. Add one or two logs at a time once it's going, and don't pack the bowl full - flames need air.

When you've finished, let the fire burn down to ash and embers rather than throwing water on it. Cold water on hot steel or cast iron can warp or crack it. Use the lid or a snuffer if yours has one, then leave the ash to cool overnight before emptying it into a metal bucket. Small amounts of the cold ash can go on the compost heap.

Where to put it and staying safe

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service advises keeping fire pits at least three feet (about 90cm) from anything that can burn - fences, sheds, hedges and trees - on a stable, non-combustible surface, and never leaving one unattended.

• Gravel, paving or slabs are ideal. On a lawn, use legs or a stand, or the grass underneath will scorch.
• On decking, always use a stand plus a heat-proof mat. The Bonfire 2.0 and Briopaws include one.
• Keep it clear of gazebos, parasols, outdoor furniture cushions and low branches.
• Keep children and dogs back from the rim and have a bucket of water or sand to hand.

Most of these pits are steel; see our steel fire pits for how to stop them rusting.

Are wood burning fire pits legal in the UK?

Yes. You can have a wood burning fire in your own garden or on your patio. Even in a smoke control area, gov.uk says you can use outdoor barbecues, chimineas and fireplaces - the wood-only rules there apply to chimneys on buildings. What isn't allowed is smoke that becomes a nuisance. Under the garden bonfire rules, your council can issue an abatement notice if smoke keeps drifting into a neighbour's home, and you can be fined if smoke drifts across a road and becomes a danger to traffic. Burning dry fuel, checking the wind and keeping the fire a sensible size avoids nearly all of that.

Cooking on your fire pit

A real fire gives food a smoky flavour that gas can't, so many people use theirs as a garden BBQ too - and it's a great outdoor space for a family meal. Cook over glowing embers, not tall flames. Many pits here come with a grill: the SUNOUTLY and Panovue FT-96501 have swivel grates, the Kadai and Fire Beauty RO6142 include one, and the Morsø Ignis is a cast iron pit built to double as a grill. For more, see our fire pit BBQs.

Fire pit accessories worth having

A few extras make an outdoor fire safer and more pleasant, and some pits include them in the box:

• A cover keeps rain out of the bowl so the ash doesn't turn to sludge and rust the steel. The Blumfeldt Colima and Crown, EcoNook OutVue and Panovue FT-96501 come with one.
• A lid or table top snuffs the fire and turns the pit into a garden table when it's cold.
• A fire poker and heat-proof gloves for moving burning wood safely.
• A stand or heat mat to protect the patio, lawn or decking underneath.
• A log store to keep fuel dry by the back door.
• A carry bag if it goes camping - the Snow Peak, Onlyfire FP037, YEFU and Fircpit include one.

Wood burning fire pit FAQs

Can I use a wood burning fire pit in a smoke control area?

Yes. Gov.uk lists outdoor barbecues, chimineas and fireplaces as allowed in smoke control areas. Just avoid causing a smoke nuisance.

What's the best wood for a fire pit?

Kiln dried or well-seasoned hardwood such as ash, oak or birch, with under 20% moisture. Look for the Ready to Burn mark.

How do I make my fire pit less smoky?

Burn dry logs, light it top-down, don't overload the bowl and keep the air holes clear. A double-wall pit like the Solo Stove cuts smoke further.

Can I burn charcoal in my fire pit?

In many, yes - the Kadai, Onlyfire FP013 and Fire Beauty list charcoal. Some double-wall designs are made for wood only, so check the listing.

Wood or gas - which gives more warmth?

A real fire gives stronger radiant warmth once it's going. Gas is instant and cleaner but warms a smaller circle.

Do I need a spark screen?

It's worth having near fences, hedges or decking, or on a windy night. The SUNOUTLY, Endless Summer and Panovue FT-12090 come with one.

Can I leave it outside all year?

Stainless steel copes best. Painted steel and iron last longer with a cover and the ash emptied after each fire.