I recently discussed the virtues of fire pit camping, establishing that it’s an entirely safe way to stay warm if done outdoors, where you have lots of fresh air to breathe.
My ringing affirmation was like music to your ears, as you had long wanted to explore a portable fire pit but didn’t know how safe they are. Which fire pits are breaking the mold?
Here are my favorite fire pits for warm nights of camping under the stars:
- Ignik FireCan
- BioLite Firepit
- UCO Flatpack Portable Grill and Fire Pit
- Primus Kamoto Openfire Pit
- Campfire Defender Pop-Up Fire Pit
- FLIKR Personal Concrete Fireplace
- Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill
- Winnerwell Flatfold Fire Pit
- Wolf and Grizzly Campfire Trio
- INNO STAGE Smokeless Fire Pit
I have had the good fortune of testing each of these 10 awesome fire pits, and I’m here to share my insights with you to guide you in making a purchasing decision you’ll feel just as proud of.
10 Best Portable Fire Pits in 2024
Ignik FireCan (Best for Us)
I love the Ignik FireCan for four reasons:
- It’s compact
- It’s lightweight
- It sips propane
- It keeps me warm
My husband bought the Ignik FireCan a couple of years ago, and we have loved it. Before we bought it, we had a very large propane fire pit that used a whole bottle of propane in one night!
The Ignik FireCan uses very little propane. You can run it for an evening on a 16 oz camping-sized propane canister. At the same time, a 20-pound propane canister will last many nights.
Its compact size and shape make it easy to stow it anywhere in your RV or tow vehicle. The dimensions of the FireCan are 12 x 6.25 x 8.5 inches.
The FireCan is lightweight and easy to handle. Simply pick up the 11-pound FireCan by the handle of its removable lid.
This is a great fire pit for up to four people. We’ve used it several times when camping with my daughter and her boyfriend. They liked it so well that they bought one for their camping adventures.
BioLite Firepit (Best Overall)
Although propane is an excellent fuel source I’ve used throughout my camping experiences, I must admit I’m a sucker for a wood-burning fire. It’s the tossing of the logs onto the fire pit, the addition of kindling to keep it going, the smell of burning wood, and the lingering smoke in the air.
Okay, I don’t love that last part. It gets everywhere – in your hair, on your clothes.
It’s one thing if you have immediate access to a shower, but that’s not always the case when camping. That’s why I love the BioLite firepit. It provides all the fun of a wood-burning fireplace but with less smoke.
You might still notice some smoke upon use; I know I did, but it’s not enough to leave your hair smelling stinky and making you feel like you need a shower. Amen to that.
The BioLite is a more modern take on a traditional wooden fireplace, as it has something you’d never find out in nature: a USB powerpack. That keeps the air fan within running for up to 30 hours.
That’s important, as the air fan is how this fire pit minimizes smoke.
Before your next camping trip, download the BioLite app. I love how this app, which uses Bluetooth, lets you adjust the flame size manually.
That said, you need good internet connectivity to use this feature, which can be tough to come by when camping. Fortunately, it’s not a make-or-break feature, just an awesome add-on.
The mesh design spreads the warmth further, which I definitely noticed. Mesh also saves you on cleanup time.
One of my favorite features of this fire pit is how it can double as a cooking surface for hibachi-style meals out in the middle of nowhere.
UCO Flatpack Portable Grill and Fire Pit (Best Budget Fire Pit)
When I began shopping for portable fire pits, I was burned (get it?) by the high costs. You would think for something as simple as a fire pit–which you can make yourself with some cinderblocks and a bit of know-how–wouldn’t be costly, but think again.
Fortunately, it’s not that way across the board. The UCO fire pit costs under $45 for a medium size and under $75 for a large. Now, that’s what I’m talking about. You can also buy it in a small size if you’re traveling ultra-light or don’t have much room in your RV.
The design is exceedingly simple, making it easy to unfold and begin using. I love the durable stainless steel construction, as I know this fire pit can take a licking and keep on ticking.
Its cooking surface is larger than the BioLite fire pit, as the grilling area is 13 inches by 10 inches if you buy the medium pit. That’s enough to cook for six people at once, a literal game-changer when camping.
Homecooked meals always taste better than something you defrosted from the freezer. Now, you can have more of them– and the accompanying memories–with a product like this.
I will say the legs can be a bit wobbly sometimes, so keep them on level, hard ground.
Primus Kamoto Openfire Pit (Best Collapsible Fire Pit)
Ready for any party, the Primus Kamoto Openfire pit is sturdy as all get out. I was amazed with how well this thing holds up, especially over several uses. I found myself eager to try it out again and again.
If the thin legs of the UCO fire pit make you nervous, marvel at the thick metal crisscrossing legs and bottom plate rack of this bad boy.
While it’s available in two sizes, I have used the large and think it’s perfect for camping with a mid-sized group, especially if they bring their king-sized appetites.
My favorite part of this fire pit is how it collapses. The open mouth just sort of snaps shut, ensuring you don’t drag any ashes or debris with you when you leave a campsite. You can follow the unspoken “leave no trace” policy.
Since it burns charcoal or wood, the Primus Kamoto is versatile enough for all your adventures. I will say the large is a bit heavy, weighing almost 15.5 pounds, so if you’re backpacking or hiking, this is not the fire pit to bring with you.
Campfire Defender Pop-Up Fire Pit (Best Lightweight Fire Pit)
But don’t worry! Hikers and backpackers, you have plenty of options, with the Campfire Defender firepit among my favorites.
This pop-up fire pit weighs only eight pounds, which is far lighter than the Primus Kamoto. You won’t have to blow your back out to stay warm at night, which is about as good at it gets.
For its lightweight, the size of this fire pit may surprise you as much as it did me. It’s 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep. It’s not designed for cooking use, although you could roast some sausages or marshmallows on skewers with how big this cooking surface is. Just carefully.
The warming power of this fire pit blew me away after I tested it in cold conditions. It might be the best at burning, considering it boasts a burn area of more than 575 square feet.
The Fire Mesh collects ash, and when I say collects ash, I mean a lot of it. This thing can hold over 100 pounds of ash, and when I put it to the test, burning a fire for hours with kindling, I was seriously impressed. The Fire Mesh never buckled under the ash.
Like the BioLite before it, its design seriously cuts down on how much smoke you experience. You can enjoy your evening warmth when you’re done without smelling like a firefighter.
However, I really wish this fire pit supported cooking. If it did, I think I might have put it at the top of the list!
FLIKR Personal Concrete Fireplace (Best Tabletop Fire Pit)
You don’t always need a huge fire pit to keep warm. Sometimes, when it’s just hubby and me, I only want something small, cozy, and intimate to augment our body heat and keep up the cozy vibe.
That’s why I fell hard for the FLIKR personal fire pit. This tiny tabletop model is five inches deep, five inches tall, and five inches wide.
It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you travel with large groups. That’s what many of the other fire pits on this list are for.
However, if you like to camp in limited numbers or only have a small trailer and can’t lug a full-sized pit on board, an option like this is right up your alley.
Using isopropyl alcohol to generate a natural flame, you pour the alcohol in and enjoy about an hour of fire. FLIKR says it’s 50 minutes, and while I didn’t time mine, I’d estimate I got roughly that much.
Of course, if you’re using this tabletop fire pit in windier conditions, I would say to expect even less time. I didn’t test that myself, as those aren’t the best conditions for a fire pit.
Since this fire pit is small, you don’t have to stress as much about smoke or carbon monoxide, but I still wouldn’t push my luck and use it inside. That’s dangerous and not worth it, even though the manufacturer says you can.
Although I tried it begrudgingly because I enjoy the ambiance of this fire pit, its snuff lid to extinguish the flames did the job fast and almost mess-free.
Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill (Best Cooking Fire Pit)
The Snow Peak Takibi is way more than merely a fire pit. It’s also a grill and quite an efficient one as well.
That’s what sold me on it. I don’t live in my motorhome full-time, but I spend enough time that I need efficient cooking solutions that replicate what I have at home but with the benefit of cooking in nature.
After all, not all of us have fancy indoor or outdoor kitchens. We have tiny nooks that we must make the most of. Augmenting the kitchen space with a fire pit like this is simply smart.
Don’t be surprised if everyone at the RV park or campsite wants to gather ‘round the fire and grab a bite to eat. The more, the merrier, as this large stainless steel cooking surface/fire pit can handle it.
As a charcoal grill, you get that signature smoky taste and charred dark marks when you cook with it. I love that kind of cooking, and when traveling in my camper van, grilling on the fire feels even more special.
The Snow Peak Takibi is conveniently foldable and has many accessories included with its base price, like a carrying case, baseplate, grill bridge, and grill net.
However, it’s a bit out of the average price range of the other fire pits we’ve looked at, which might give you pause.
Winnerwell Flatfold Fire Pit (Best Durable Fire Pit)
I hate spending my money on a solution that falls apart after a couple of uses. As an avid RVer, I need heavy-duty products that can withstand the elements as long as I can. That’s what led me to the Winnerwell Flatfold fire pit.
Well, that and its unique look. The fire pit bowl is attached to four crisscrossing X-shaped legs. Ventilation holes let the fire grow but won’t do much to keep smoke out.
I know it doesn’t look it, but this fire pit folds fairly flat. The pieces are large and heavy, and it’s still over 16 inches when dissembled, so it’s not the smallest solution. You can’t use it if backpacking, and I wouldn’t recommend it if you have a tiny motorhome or camper.
However, this is a dependable fire pit if you have the space. It’s built to withstand the outdoors, so you know I had to prove that, and it passed my test! The steel is corrosion-resistant so it will be ready for cooking and warming for a long time.
Wolf and Grizzly Campfire Trio (Best Complete Kit)
Cost-effective heating for the whole family or friend group? Sign me right up! The Wolf and Grizzly Campfire Trio stakes its claim for the top spot because it has all the parts you need to stay warm while enjoying a late-night chat outside your RV or tent.
A Ferro rod fire starter for faster, easier flames? You know it! A knife steel? Uh-huh. You also get a fire set and a carrying bag, so you’re good to go. That’s all besides the fire pit itself, of course.
Are you getting hungry? It’s a good thing the Campfire Trio has a 30-pound capacity and 120 square inches for cooking. If you’re traveling with picky children who each want their own meal, you can make the whole family happy.
Although it’s not as precise as a stovetop, I found myself happily finagling with the heat settings this fire pit boasts. You can set low heat for a warmer summer night when you just want to lay out and battle the slight nip in the air.
The medium heat setting is great for after-dark warmth and cooking most dishes. The highest setting had me feeling plenty warm but never hot. You can cook with it, although monitor your food carefully so you don’t burn it!
INNO STAGE Smokeless Fire Pit (Best Aesthetics)
The versatility of the INNO STAGE smokeless fire pit blew me away, so I knew I had to have it. You can select from four sizes: small, medium, large, and XL.
You rarely see fire pits offered in sizes beyond large. The XL is quite sizable, measuring 12.6 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 17.7 inches deep. That’s compared to the medium, which is seven inches tall, 15 inches wide, and 12.5 inches deep.
That’s the size I ordered because you must remember, it’s usually just hubby and me on our camping trips. The XL is a great size if you travel with a huge crowd.
Besides the size offerings, you can also select from three fun colors. There’s the unpainted stainless steel, tan, or black. I had to buy my INNO STAGE fire pit in black, and it looks every bit as cool as you’d imagine.
The design of the INNO STAGE fire pit is a large bowl. It’s dual-tiered, with the larger bowl slotting into the smaller one. It fits together in seconds, which was great because I was ready to get a fire going.
The stainless steel has rust-resistant properties. After using mine for months, I’m happy to report it looks as good as the day I bought it. However, I have heard it can rust after several years.
You won’t have to worry about smoke wrecking your clothes or hair with this fire pit. Ventilation holes along the bottom let air in. Double-walled heating keeps the flames burning higher, even with more oxygen in the mix.
How to Choose the Right Portable Fire Pit
You’ve seen my favorite portable fire pits, which run the gamut regarding price, design, and features. How do you narrow down your selection? I’ve got some pointers that will help!
Price
This is one of the biggest considerations, and rightfully so. However, let me tell you from experience, the best portable fire pits don’t come cheap.
This is something you don’t want to mess around with, as cheap products and fire don’t exactly play nicely together. I’m not saying you have to drop hundreds on your fire pit, but cheap can be dangerous. Choose wisely!
Weight
Even if you’re only buying a portable fire pit for chilling outside in your RV, you still don’t want a gargantuan hunk of metal. It will take up space you might not have, and it’s extra weight you must accommodate.
Most of the portable fire pits I reviewed are quite lightweight. They are supposed to go with you anywhere, after all!
Portability
The portability of these fire pits varies. Some compress, others flatten, and more still require you to detach and stack them. I personally appreciate the convenience, but you should select a means of portability that works for your lifestyle.
Fuel Source
Most portable fire pits use wood, but others might rely on propane or flammable liquids.
There are pros and cons to any fuel source. Propane tanks are unwieldy and require careful storage and transportation since they can go up in flames in a moment’s notice. Carrying wood isn’t much lighter, but there’s no fire risk!
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it, some of the best portable fire pits you can get your hands on, ready to set your heart ablaze and provide many warm, fuzzy memories for you and your loved ones. Which was your favorite? Let me know in the comments!