What’s a Smokeless Fire Pit? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

There's something about gathering around a fire pit with friends and family that brings out feelings of relaxation, contentment, and happiness. Sometimes, though, you might just want to avoid the frustration of wind blowing smoke around, effectively making your backyard unusable. 

So, what do you do?

Your best choice is to invest in a smokeless fire pit. These odorless works of genius do everything a standard fire pit does, without the soot and smoke. They’re the best type of fire feature you can have in your backyard.

You've come to the right place if you want to find out how a smokeless fire pit could be as great as a traditional one. Keep reading to learn all about how they can give you everything you want in a fire pit and more.

How Do Smokeless Fire Pits Work?

One of the best things about smokeless fire pits is that you get all the benefits of a wood fire pit, including the warm crackling sound of burning wood. But, of course, smokeless fire pits still need fuel. So, if you get a pit that runs on dry wood, you'll be able to keep one of the most appealing aspects of a wood pit. 

But how is it possible to burn wood yet see no smoke?

Well, for one, smokeless fire pits aren't 100% smokeless. However, it's a minimal amount, so you'll hardly notice. In fact, you won't even get that tell-tale smoky smell on your clothes.

The simplest explanation for how this is possible is that your fuel is burning not once but twice. When the fuel burns, the smoke goes into the double-walled chamber, where it gets burnt as it exits the fire pit. The hot air rises inside the walls and exits, leaving the soot and smoke behind. 

Do Smokeless Fire Pits Give Off Heat?

Despite the lack of smoke, smokeless fire pits do, in fact, give off heat. The fire is very real and offers just as many benefits and dangers as a traditional fire pit. That means you can roast hot dogs, make s'mores, and warm your hands to your heart's content. 

However, it's essential to practice the same fire safety you would with a standard fire pit or campfire. For example, don't set anything on the edge of the pit, keep a safe distance when sitting around it, and don't let kids near it without supervision.

Which Fire Pits Give Off the Most Heat?

When it comes to fire pits, there are quite a few options. Wood-burning and propane pits are the most common. However, if you want the full backyard fire experience, a wood-burning pit is the way to go. That said, a wood-burning pit such as a Breeo X Series or Solo Bonfire will be your best bet if you want to be able to build a toasty fire.

However, if you want a nice, scorching fire, you'll need to be particular about your fuel type. Certain woods burn far hotter than others, so choose wisely. A denser wood, such as hickory or oak, will give you the highest heat. 

Do Fire Pits Keep You Warm?

Fire pits are one of the best ways to enjoy your backyard all year round. The blaze keeps bugs away in the summer and keeps you warm in the winter. Fortunately, smokeless fire pits are just as efficient at keeping you warm as regular or gas-fueled fire pits. 

Although the smoke generated by the fire gets filtered through a second combustion process, it doesn't remove the heat produced by the fire. In other words, you won't have to sacrifice warmth for a smokeless experience. 

Are Smokeless Fire Pits Good?

Smokeless fire pits have a ton of advantages. Of course, the smokeless aspect is one of the key features, but you'd be surprised how many more benefits these pits have.

Fuel Efficiency

Although smokeless fire pits still burn fuel, they're far more fuel-efficient than standard pits. Its unique design redirects oxygen toward the fire instead of letting it into the air. As a result, the added oxygen leads to a longer burn time.

Cost Benefits

The fuel efficiency ties directly to the cost-effective aspect of smokeless pits. They're a bit pricier than other pits due to their design, but you will gain in fuel savings. You'll burn less wood, which means less money spent on fuel than you'd expect with a traditional pit. If you install a smokeless fire pit insert ring, you’ll extend the life of your fire pit, so you’ll get even more of a return on investment.

Health Benefits

No matter how nice it can be to sit around a fire with friends, there’s no question breathing in soot-filled smoke is bad for you. In addition, anyone who suffers from any kind of respiratory illness will have a hard time enjoying themselves around a smoky fire. The lack of smoke in these pits makes them friendly for everyone.

Low Odor

Since the smoke in a smokeless pit is trapped and burned inside the walls, you won't have to deal with that frustrating smoky smell that permeates your clothes, hair, and everything else. This will also allow you to burn it slightly closer to your house since you won't have to worry about smoke getting inside. 

That said, you should still keep it a safe distance away from any structures to avoid any accidents.

Environment

When you burn wood, you release CO2 into the atmosphere in the form of smoke. Carbon dioxide is one of the leading contributors to air pollution. Using a smokeless pit will minimize your contribution to poor air quality in your area because you won't release nearly as much CO2 into the air.

Final Thoughts

Smokeless fire pits are a fantastic choice for homeowners who want to reduce the amount of fuel they use in their fire pits along with how much smoke they create. In particular, they’re ideal if you live in an area where the smoke from your pit could easily waft into a neighbor’s yard. So, if you’re looking for a smokeless solution for a backyard fire, a smokeless fire pit is the way to go.