The 5 Best Portable Camping Fire Pits (2023)
Is it really a true camping experience without a traditional wood fire? We just want a small gathering to keep warm with some cozy blankets and sometimes roast some marshmallows.
But what about those times when you're on a camping trip, and the campsite doesn't have wood fire pits? Unless there are some Eagle Scouts around, it can be a challenge to build your own wood-burning fire pits.
The good news is that portable outdoor fire pits are a great way to achieve open flames with ease of use. And there are a few fuel source options for burning portable fires – wood, charcoal, and propane.
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Top 5 Camping Fire Pit Options
Here are 5 of the best portable fire pits for any outdoor space (where campfires are permitted). As big believers in the Leave No Trace movement, portable firepits make it much easier to uphold that promise. Instead of building and breaking down your own, you simply pop out yours and pack it up when you leave.
Our list includes smokeless fire pits, portable propane fire pits, wood and pellet fire pits, and even some unconventional options.
The BioLite brings campfires into the 21st century with its built-in technology. Via Bluetooth, you can use your smartphone to start it and control the flame size. It even features a powerpack battery so you can charge your phone while it powers your fire!
It burns using wood fuel or charcoal and is easy to clean with its enamel coating. By using charcoal, you can use this fire pit as a grill. It comes with a cooking grate, so you can easily throw some simple yet delicious burgers on there.
One of the coolest features is a smokeless flame. This way, you still get to enjoy the smell and crackle of the fire without reeking of smoke afterward if the wind blows your way.
The BioLite's compact design and versatility make it another great option for smokeless
2 – INNOSTAGE SMOKELESS FIRE PIT
The Innostage Fire Pit is also smokeless and burns wood pellets. Depending on which finish you choose, it can come in under $100.
It has many excellent reviews and it comes in small, medium, large, and extra large. Plus, it comes with a nice carrying bag.
It has a patented double-wall design that maximizes airflow, producing less smoke and more flame.
3 – UCO FLATPACK
Here's one a bit more basic but may be better for your needs if you're tight on storage space. This UCO Flatpack does as the name suggests – it folds flat!
This is perfect for camping when you don't necessarily need a giant fire to warm a lot of people and still want the option to grill. Its steel frame and grill grate fit easily in a carrying case and makes the ideal portable bonfire if you're camping or hiking light.
The base elevates the fire off the ground, safely containing it and preventing forest fires.
It's also the most affordable option and comes in two different sizes. The smaller one is 9 by 6.75 inches and its larger sibling is 13 by 10 inches.
Like the BioLite, the Solo Stove Ranger is a bit of a splurge. But instead of paying for extra features, the Solo is perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing of the bunch.
More of a firepot, this modern design heater produces much heat and less smoke than most of its camping fire pit counterparts. Its compact size with stand included for safety easily fits in its carry bag for easy transport to the campsite.
One of the nicest features worth mentioning is how it doesn't leave a mess. The fire burns the wood until it's cremated completely. And it has a grill option as well as a griddle and wok option too, along with a spark screen!
5 – HEININGER PORTABLE PROPANE OUTDOOR FIRE PIT
Heininger Portable Propane Outdoor Fire Pit
The benefit of a natural gas fire pit is that there is no mess left behind. You're not burning off wood or need to replace any charcoal. And since there's nothing to burn, that means no smoke.
It's worth noting that even the best portable propane fire pit still needs a tank to go with it. Therefore, you're probably not going to want to hike far with one of these options.
This Heininger propane fire pit clocks in at 22 pounds, which includes the decorative rocks inside it. The 58,000 BTUs burn a smokeless fire and is CSA approved to use during most campfire bans.
And if you don't want to look at that unsightly propane tank, it even comes with a 10-foot hose.