This wood-burning, flat-folding fire pit slips into its carry bag, and away you go! And it only takes about one minute to assemble. We also love the angular lines of this fire pit and how it has an uber-cool pre-rust finish. Additionally, this fire pit from Mont Alpi is weather-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about it holding up poorly to the elements.
Pros
- Compact size
- Includes grill grate and stainless-steel ash catcher tray
- Holds generously sized logs
- Weather-resistant finish
- Weighs only 24 pounds
Cons
- Should not be used indoors
Conquer the backcountry or hit the highest summits with the Snow Peak Pack & Carry. The best portable fire pit for camping, hiking and mountaineering, the Snow Peak Pack & Carry lies as flat as a pancake when folded. It’s easy to tuck this compact, lightweight fire pit into your pack or store it the corner of the tent. If you’re a serious adventurer, there is no need to dine on “gorp” the entire trip—the company offers plenty of accessories (sold separately) for grilling and cooking proper meals.
Pros
- Folds flat when not in use
- Corrosion-resistant coated stainless steel
- Air holes to stoke flames
- Available in small and medium sizes
Con
Why You Should Trust Us
I have been a culture and lifestyle writer for The Family Handyman for many years. I’ve covered a variety of fire-related review topics such as the best draft stoppers, ethanol fireplaces, fireplace screens, and portable fire pits. I know how to narrow down the best options for shoppers, with reliable reviews, useful features and varying price ranges.
We consulted with Ty Hancock, director of product marketing at Solo Stove for more insight on portable fire pits. Solo Stove is one of the leading brands for outdoor fire pits, specializing in smokeless fire pits. Hancock has been with Solo Stove for over two years and knows the best features to look for in portable fire pits and the safety protocols that you need to follow when using them.
How We Found the Best Portable Fire Pit
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Are portable fire pits safe?
Fire pit safety should be top of mind, especially if you’re planning to use it around young kids. To ensure nothing bad happens:
- Never leave children (or the fire) unattended
- Make sure portable fire pits are placed on a level surface
- Don’t use a fire pit when there are strong winds
- Place the pit at least 10 feet away from buildings, foliage, grass and trees
What do you put under a portable fire pit?
Many portable fire pits come with metal trays to catch hot ash and embers. You can also purchase heat-resistant pads. As Hancock mentioned, you want to minimize the heat transfer of your fire pit to the surface below. Especially when operating on heat-sensitive materials, such as grass or wooden decks. Many of the fire pits listed above have built in legs to keep them off the ground. If not, look to see if the company sells a stand that fits the fire pit or look into getting a heat-resistant pad.
What is the best size for a portable fire pit?
This depends on your intended purpose for your portable fire pit and the size of the space you have for it. If you plan to move it around a lot—maybe for camping—a smaller, lighter fire pit would be better. If you’re going to keep it in your backyard for the summer and then put it in storage for the winter months, opt for a bigger fire pit with a large bowl so you can stack more wood and have longer burn times.
