Looking to grill some BBQ or entertain your friends on a cold evening? A fire pit grill will not only allow you to grill some foods but it can also keep you and your guests warm. The best fire pit grill will even improve the aesthetics of your garden as they offer a great focal point. But while these firepit grills offer a lot of benefits, finding the perfect firepit grill is not a walk in the park. Our review will help you do just that.
In our quest to help you find the top firepit grills on the market, we reviewed 38 products. Of course, it took us a lot of weeks as we had to sit down with some of the top manufacturers, BBQ enthusiasts, and other industry stakeholders. The BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit stood out, which is why it is our Editor’s Choice. We loved how this fire pit grill can easily enhance the appearance of any patio or backyard. It also showed exceptional performance, is easy to use, and has a very sturdy construction.
To rate each product, we considered a number of key reviews including fuel, weight, dimensions, material of the grill and even the shape of the grill. Other essential features included the warranty offered, accessories included, portability, and even the grates. The review starts off with a comparison of the top products we reviewed followed by an in-depth description of each product. A buying guide is also included to ensure you make an informed choice before making that purchase.
More features: 360-degree swiveling pit, poker and log rack included, 24-inch cooking grate
The BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit is an amazing fire pit grill that will not only impress you with its performance but also enhance the aesthetics of your backyard. It is also easy to use and operate, which allows even novice users to handle it with ease. All you need to do is to load up the fuel and press a button to ignite the flame and start warming up your yard.
This pit grill is quite portable too and can easily fit in the back of your car. It weighs only 27 pounds, and this allows you to easily store and transport it. Its dimensions measure 32 by 25 inches, which is more compact than many of the products we tried out. An 18.7 inch cooking grate made from heavy-duty steel is also attached to the pit grill.
One of the reasons why we loved this grill is its sturdy design and durability. The grill is made from steel, which means you can rest assured that you will use it for some time. For added stability, the BALI Wood Burning Fire Pit has has four legs with a strong circular steel ring attached to hold it together.
We also loved how versatile this machine is. Its steel grill rotates on a 360 degrees angle and can also be moved up and down or swung left and right depending on how you want to use it. You can also disassemble it for proper cleaning.
More features: foldable legs, USB output, rain cover included, Bluetooth operated
Getting a smart fire pit grill for your campfire can give you and your family or friends some unforgettable memories. With bluetooth capabilities, an app and other smart technologies, we enjoyed every moment of using this fire pit grill.
With all these features, it is easy to think that this machine is a heavy and non-portable machine but this can’t be further from the truth. The grill measures 27 x 13 x 15.8 inches but it can also have a 10.5 inch height when the legs are folded. The Biolite FirePit also weighs a mere 19.8 pounds.
This grill comes with 51 air jet holes fitted on three tubes in its chamber. A speed fan that can be regulated feeds the chamber with oxygen. The fan is powered by a 10,400mAh power pack. You can use its rechargeable batteries which guarantee you 24 hours of uninterrupted power when the speed fan is set to low. However, you can only use it for 10 hours when the speed is set to medium and 5 hours when the fan speed is at its maximum.
With regards to installation and performance, this fire pit grill is one of the easiest to use and operate. It has a button that powers the machine on/off, change the speed of the fan, start up the bluetooth pairing and even turn on the USB charging mode.
It is also easy to set up. Simply use the screws to fix the handles, put and activate the power pack at the end, unfold the grill and place the fuel.
More features: Circulair™ system, mesh cover, chrome plated cooking grate
Do you often host friends or families for regular get togethers in your back yard? The Pleasant Hearth Martin Fire Pit is one of the best addition to your patio if you love hosting friends and grilling some BBQ at the same time.
One of the first things that you notice with this fire pit grill is its great looks and large design. You will always get comments on how good looking and effective your fire pit grill is. It measures 26 x 26 x 26 inches, which is large enough for 6 people to roast at a go. Despite being large, it only weighs 25 pounds. You should pick this grill if you want to have a great focal point for your backyard.
It also has a removable mesh cover that allows you to access the spacious bowl. You can stock a number of logs as the pit grill can accommodate many of these logs at the same time. However, this does not mean that you risk charring your food. It has a deep bowl that offers enough space between the grill and the fire.
It features a CirculAir system that ensures the proper flow of oxygen in the pit grill. With this unique feature, the Pleasant Hearth Martin Fire Pit guarantees you a consistent and large fire throughout the night.
More features: carrying bags included, 505 sq in cooking area, heat shield included
The Campfire Defender Protect Preserve Pop-Up Fire Pit is another great fire pit grill that will ensure you have your guests warm and well fed. It is one of the largest yet truly portable fire pit grills on the market. It is also made from durable material, which means you will use it for years before thinking of replacing it with another.
This grill measures 24 x 24 x 15 inches but it only weighs 7.2 pounds. It comes in two different bags that are smaller than your average tent. The two separate bags also ensures that your greasy cooking grate can be stored separately from the other parts.
A tri-folding grill is included on top to ensure that you have a large grilling and roasting space. Unlike other products in the market, this grill has a heat shield at the bottom to protect the ground from the raging heat.
With the Campfire Defender Protect Preserve Pop-Up Fire Pit, you can easily use charcoal to roast your favorite meals. After you finish cooking, you can detach the grill and throw in a couple of logs to enjoy your meal by the campfire.
The cooking surface area measures 505 inches, which may be large enough to hold more than 15 burgers. You can also cook with a pan or a pot easily on this grill. Talk about a party! You can also replace the mesh and other parts if it is stretched.
More features: rotisserie included, 722 sq in cooking area, L-shaped drip channel
Many outdoor lovers or campers have a difficult time getting a fire pit grill that can also cook well. A lot of brands purport to offer multi-purpose grills but these often end up over charring food or lack sufficient space for both. With that said, the RiverGrille Cowboy Charcoal Fire Pit Grill is a great grill if you want to enhance your barbecue experience.
To ensure that you can both use this grill as a pit grill and a BBQ grill, the RiverGrille Cowboy allows you to use both charcoal and natural wood. It has a heavy-duty grill gate and a smaller rotisserie that can be great for roasting hot dogs. Setting up this large grill is not complicated but you may find it difficult to assemble the manual rotisserie.
This grill is also among some of the largest pit grills that we reviewed. It has a 31-inch diameter with a cooking surface of 722 square feet, which is large enough to roast a couple of burgers. However, it lacks a cover which makes it susceptible to rusting as you will be unable to prevent rainwater from mixing with the ash and metals.
The manual rotisserie comes with a hand crank to help you use it but we recommend that you get an electric motor that the company sells separately. The grill also features an L-shaped drip channels that works to prevent fluids from mixing with the bowl.
Knowing some of the best fire pit grills is great but how do you know which grill will serve your needs perfectly? Like purchasing any other product, you need to consider some of the features of each grill. This buying guide will help you learn more about fire pit grills to ensure you make the best decision when buying your grill.
If you are an avid camper or you simply love hosting guests in your patio then you know why fire pit grills are awesome. They offer a lot of benefits that you may not get with the traditional grills. Here are some reasons why fire pit grills are awesome.
There is nothing as satisfying as lighting your fire pit grill on a campsite and cooking some sumptuous meal. While you do not have to go camping to use a fire pit grill, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when cooking with a fire pit grill. These include;
There are many features that you ought to consider before paying for a pit grill. The last thing you want is to get a substandard fire pit grill that breaks down after two weeks. These are some factors that you should keep in mind when shopping for a fire pit grill.
Fire pits come in different shapes and sizes. One of the main things that you should consider is the frame material. Some grills are made of copper, wood, iron, stainless steel or even stone. You need to know which one works best for you.
A stainless steel grill such as the BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit or the Campfire Defender Protect Preserve Pop-Up Fire Pit are known to be rust-resistant. However, they may be a bit pricier than other models. Stone fire pits are fireproof and are less likely to cause damage. Iron fire pits such as the Pleasant Hearth Martin Fire Pit, on the other hand, may be cheaper and more accessible.
The fuel that you choose will mostly depend on your preferences as both propane and wood have advantages and disadvantages. For example, wood gives an authentic grilling experience but it is not a clean source of energy. Propane gas grills such as the RiverGrille Cowboy Charcoal Grill may be clean and much efficient than wood.
The shape of your fire pit grill matters a lot since it will impact your cooking experience. Fire pit grills with larger cooking area such as the Campfire Defender Protect Preserve Pop-Up Fire Pit that has a 505 square inch are can cook more food. These are great if you host a lot of people in your backyard. The shape also determines how much you can grill as round fire pit grills tend to have smaller surfaces. Of course, the 31-inch RiverGrille Cowboy Charcoal Grill is an exception.
When it comes to the grates, you need to choose the best material. Stainless steel grates are popular for their weather-resistant nature, which makes them more durable. They are also easy to use and resistant to bacteria making them a perfect choice for cooking. Cast iron grates, on the other hand, are cheaper and retain heat better than steel grates. The grates should also be adjustable for better grilling.
Do you want a permanent fire pit grill in your backyard or do you want a portable grill that you can easily transport? Smaller fire pit grills such as the BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit are easy to transport and store. Larger or heavier fire pit grills such as the Pleasant Hearth Martin Fire Pit may be difficult to move.
A warranty gives the client confidence that the product is in good condition and that it is durable. In this regard, both the Campfire Defender Protect Preserve Pop-Up Fire Pit and the Pleasant Hearth Martin Fire Pit stood out as they had a 1-year limited warranty.
Once you start using your fire pit grill, you will have to remove any ash that develops on the grills. You also have to clean and maintain it regular if you want it to be durable. Some fire pit grills have ash collection trays but some need to be tipped down. You want to buy a fire pit grill that can easily be cleaned.
Using a fire pit grill can easily become dangerous if the machine does not have safety features. The Campfire Defender Protect Preserve Pop-Up, for example, has a heat shield to ensure that the heat does not damage the surface or cause a fire.
The weight of the fire pit grill is important as it can negatively affect your cooking experience. Ideally, you want a light grill that can be transported and easily assembled without much hassle. The Campfire Defender Protect Preserve Pop-Up was the lightest at about 7 pounds.
There is nothing as annoying as cooking on a grill without the right accessories. Not only will you likely end up with badly grilled food but you will also be putting your safety at risk. Some of the key accessories to look out for include tongs, skewers, heat-resistant pots, and even a grill rack.
Use water and soap to clean steel fire pit grills to wipe any remaining ashes or to remove any burns. You will have to use steel wool if you have an iron grill.
The BALI OUTDOORS Wood Burning Fire Pit is our top choice, and for obvious reasons. This fire pit grill stands out in every feature. It is easy to assemble and use yet it is one of the sturdiest fire pit grill we encountered. The grill is also quite portable and will make your patio look way better.
Our second choice is the BioLite FirePit. It is impossible to not be impressed by this smart fire pit grill. It allows you to control it with an app or use a Bluetooth device to control it. It also has a rechargeable battery that allows you to charge your phone. The perfect ally in the wild.
Lastly, we found the Pleasant Hearth Martin Fire Pit as our best value pick. We loved the chrome plated cooking grate of this rectangular fire pit grill. We also loved that you could cook food for a lot of people with this multipurpose grill.