A crackling fire pit is essential to any outdoor gathering, whether sizzling steaks or glazed ribs are cooked over it or gooey s'mores are eaten around it. An outdoor wood-burning fire pit grill combination may be the perfect companion if you enjoy spending time outdoors, cooking, and unwinding. There is nothing like outdoor, open-fire cooking.
There are several "fire feature" choices available, from a stone or wood burning fire pit to a chiminea, whether you want to heat your outdoor area with wood or propane. You won't find any natural gas or propane fire pits on this list since we’ve limited it to actual, wood-burning fire pits with outdoor cooking and grilling elements and accessories.
Here, you get the best of both worlds; an outdoor fire pit and charcoal grill all-in-one that allows you to gather, cook, dine and relax after dinner with these wood or charcoal-burning fire pit options.
When buying a fire pit for both outdoor cooking and gathering, keep the following in mind:
Fire pits made of sturdy materials last longer and endure over several decades. The materials also affect the heat retaining properties. Therefore, it's crucial that you consider the construction materials before choosing a fire pit. The following materials are all highly durable: cast iron, steel, ceramic, stone, and marble stone. All of the fire pits on our list are cast iron and steel.
Metal fire pits are excellent as they are strong and are less likely to crumble over time like those made of clay. They don't require a lot of maintenance and are simple to clean. Because a cast iron or steel fire pit doesn't need much upkeep and can withstand weather elements well, it may be used all year long.
When comparing steel to cast iron, cast iron fire pits have longer lifespans, especially if they receive regular maintenance. Compared to steel, they are typically more expensive, but with proper care, they can last generations, making them worthwhile investments.
You should consider your outdoor space while selecting your fire pit's size. Go with a larger one if you need a fire pit for a big space or would like to have a more focal gathering spot for family and friends. For example, The 30-Gallon Sea Island Forge Fire Kettle (42” diameter) can accommodate 8-10 seated adults comfortably (depending on your chair selections— Adirondacks, for example, have a much larger footprint than other seating choices). The 50-Gallon size (60" diameter) can accommodate 10-16 (again, varies by seating choice). Medium-sized fire pits can also work well for you if you intend to put them in a smaller yard or patio. Be sure to consider the foundation of your fire pit. We recommend placing your fire pit on a solid, temperature-resistant base for safety reasons. We recommend pavers, brick, or slate, at least 1.5” thick to protect from radiant heat.
When it comes to cooking space, grill surfaces vary in size and this can be an important consideration. For example, you can easily fit food for 20-30 people on the 30-Gallon Grill add-on.
Think about your purpose for purchasing a fire pit. Are you wanting to host sizable parties? Do you imagine cooking a large meal with family and staying gathered around the fire pit late into the night? If so, you may want to choose fire pits that are larger in size; at least 30” in diameter, produce intense heat, and have more safety features. Do you want to spend less time and effort on preparing or cleaning the fire pit? Choose the option with simple maintenance requirements and user-friendly features.
Do you want to invest in a piece that can stay in your family for generations? You'll need to consider spending a little more and paying attention to the products with strong construction and high-quality materials. To strike the ideal balance between your purchasing dreams and needs, it’s important to do your research and consider your personal use case. We’re hoping this article does that leg work for you.
We’ve carefully selected a list of top-notch outdoor fire pits that can be used for outdoor cooking for backyard or patio use, resort properties, vineyards, and hotels. They are not listed in any particular order as they’re all great charcoal or wood-burning fire pits that come with grilling and cooking accessories. Each has strong features depending on what you’re looking for.
We may be tooting our own horn a bit, but we are really proud to craft such a high-quality and versatile fire pit and grilling option. The SIF Fire Kettle is hand-forged using cast ductile iron and galvanized carbon steel, designed to outlive us all. Customers love the ability to grill while sitting around the fire with friends and family. It truly is an all-in-one piece. You can stay seated in one comfortable spot around the flames the entire evening with your guests, all while cooking appetizers and entrees, eating, and roasting marshmallows, and sipping bourbon to finish out the night.
The patented Grill attachment is definitely what sets this outdoor cooking piece apart from the others. The grill grate raises and lowers, as well as swings side to side, allowing for precise temperature control. Added bonus, the maneuverability of this grill allows easy access to your fire, without removing all your food! The Heat Dome 2.0 enhances flavor by locking in juices to keep meats tender and by spreading a mouthwatering smokey flavor across your cuisine. It also comes with a thermometer and a smoke valve for even greater control and precision over cooking temperatures. Additional attachments are also available, such as a Griddle or fire-side burner that can accommodate skillets, dutch ovens, cast-iron pans, or even coffee pots.
Sea Island Forge customers quickly become evangelists. Professional chefs like Chef Cory Bahr with Parish Restaurant are big fans of the Grilling System, “Cooking over a live fire is one of the most rewarding experiences I can think of. Steve and Sandy of Sea Island Forge have created one of the finest cooking instruments I’ve ever worked with. The craftsmanship and thoughtfulness of each and every piece is unparalleled”.
A Cowboy Cauldron gives a rustic focal point to an outdoor entertainment area and its style goes well with both conventional and contemporary patio furniture. The unique tripod design comes in four different sizes, from a portable 70 lb The Dude to the 304 lb Ranch Boss, which is ideal for hosting larger gatherings. Cowboy Cauldrons have been an especially popular choice for boutique hotels, restaurants, ski resorts, and dude ranches. Users appreciate how innovative and functional it is.
One reviewer mentions the thoughtful design of the Cauldron: “It invokes the past while modern and durable. Like a classic sports car, sitting still it still looks beautiful and ready for action.” If you’d like grilling accessories, the company sells additional tools and extras including pot tongs, pigtails, trammels, cauldron lids, and hand-forged chains.
While the first two open fire cooking options on this list are fire pits with grill accessories, the KUDU Open Fire Grill is a charcoal grill with a fire pit accessory. Similar to the Sea Iron Forge Kettle and Grill, by raising the cast iron pan and grill grate away from the flame, you can simply adjust the two cooking surfaces horizontally and vertically from high heat to low heat and back again in seconds.
This transportable system meant for cooking over fire in the backyard has a variety of cooking options and can be quickly transformed into a raised vertical fire pit after you're done cooking. Just attach the ring assembly to the vertical bars to create a roaring fire for socializing with loved ones.
What is a fire pit list without a sleek and portable Solo Stove? The smokeless fire pits from Solo Stove were first launched in 2018 and have a special ventilation system that is intended to reduce smoke for individuals seated close to them. A ring of vents at the bottom draws air in, some of which is directed into the fire chamber to feed it, while the remainder is directed through small gaps on the walls, heated, and then forced out across the top of the fire. Small wood particles that would normally form smoke are killed off in a way known as a "secondary burn" as a result of this.
Three years later, Solo Stove released a Fire Pit Cooking System* that can fit the three different fire pit sizes offered. It is comprised of a cast-iron grill with wide grates for the flow of woodsy flavor and a non-stick, pre-seasoned surface. This is contained within a hub component, which connects to the fire pits of Solo Stoves to provide a cooking height of six to eight inches (15 to 20 cm) above the flames, allowing the chef to sear, roast, and flavor food over the wood-fire of the fire pit without turning those wings or burgers into charred crisps.
*Solo Stove came out with a Solo Stove Grill Ultimate Bundle in 2020, which has its patented 360° Airflow technology, but Solo Stove doesn’t advise using the grill as a fire pit because it won't create a smoke-free fire and won't offer as much protection from the flames due to how shallow it is. This means it won't produce an effective, smoke-free fire pit flame like the Solo Stove Fire Pit that reaches over 1200 degrees, but it does create an approachable outdoor cooking experience.
Each fire pit in the Breeo X Series is constructed of steel in Pennsylvania and comes in either a traditional stainless steel finish or corten steel, which is intended to weather outside and acquire a natural reddish patina, which is BREEO’s signature look. One of the biggest smokeless fire pits that BREEO offers is the X30, which is the most comparable to the other outdoor cooking fire pits on this list.
What makes this wood-burning fire pit unique from the other four here is the sear plate that surrounds it completely. Steaks or hamburgers, for instance, can be cooked right on the sear plate. A second port for an outpost grill is also included on the large stainless steel plate. This style is not meant to be carried around frequently like a portable fire pit. Instead, these tough outdoor fire pits with their distinctive red Corten steel surface are intended to be the focal point of an outdoor area.
In general, you get what you pay for with these firepits. Steel and cast iron fire pits will outlast all others. In our opinion, they’re worth the investment. One of the simplest ways to create a cozy and welcoming ambiance on your patio, deck, poolside, or any other outdoor space where you wish to host visitors is with a fire pit. It's also simple to set up and keep up. If you want to provide your visitors a place to cook outside and lots of seating around a cozy fire pit so they can converse while getting warm by the flames, think about one of these possibilities.
We have had the pleasure of working alongside chefs and friends enjoying all of the cooking systems mentioned here; whether at food and wine festivals or in a friend's backyard. We enjoyed doing our research and we wish you the best of luck if you are shopping for a centerpiece for entertaining and good food.