Outdoor Fire Pits: Wood, Propane, and Smokeless Options Compared
A fire pit anchors your outdoor space the way a couch anchors your living room — it's where everyone naturally gravitates. The question is which fuel type fits the way you actually use your backyard.
Wood Burning Fire Pits
Wood burning fire pits deliver the full campfire experience: crackling sounds, shifting flames, and the ability to cook directly over the fire. BALI OUTDOORS wood models come with adjustable cooking grates and spark screens, so you can grill burgers at dinner and switch to marshmallow-roasting mode for dessert. The trade-off is ash cleanup and smoke — you'll need to position these downwind from seating and store firewood nearby.
Best for: backyard campfire atmosphere, open-flame cooking, and large gatherings where smoke isn't a concern.
Propane Fire Pits
Propane fire pits solve the two biggest complaints about wood fires — smoke and cleanup. Push-button ignition gives you instant flame. An adjustable control knob lets you dial the heat from ambient glow to full 50,000 BTU output. When you're done, turn it off. No embers to douse, no ash to shovel.
A standard 20 lb propane tank lasts 8–10 hours at medium flame. Most models are light enough to move between the patio and a camping trip. They're safe for wood decks with proper clearance.
Best for: decks, balconies, rentals, and anyone who wants fire without the maintenance.
Smokeless Fire Pits
Smokeless fire pits burn real wood but use a double-wall airflow design that feeds preheated oxygen to the top of the fire. This secondary combustion burns away up to 95% of smoke before it reaches you. You get the wood-burning aesthetic without stinging eyes or smoky clothes.
BALI OUTDOORS smokeless models are built from stainless steel, include a removable ash pan, and come in portable sizes that fit in a car trunk for camping.
Best for: small patios, close-neighbor setups, and anyone who loves real fire but hates smoke.
Sizing Guide
Fire pit sizes range from 15-inch tabletop units (great for apartment balconies and small tables) to 32-inch backyard models that seat 6–8. Measure your available space, leave 3 feet of clearance on all sides, and pick the largest size that fits comfortably.
Shop by Fuel Type
Propane Fire Pits | Smokeless Fire Pits | Wood Burning Fire Pits | Chimineas
Looking for fire tables instead? See our Fire Pit Table collection.
Guides
Key comparison: Wood vs Propane Fire Pit — the most important decision before you buy.
Smokeless Fire Pit Buyer's Guide | Best Fire Pits for Small Patios
