Fire pits are a great way to make outdoor activities more enjoyable…and while many people like a hint of smokiness in the air it can get out of hand pretty quickly and send people shifting and scurrying around to stay avoid all of the smoke. For others, even a little bit of smoke can be a miserable experience, setting off allergies or triggering health issues.
Then along came the smokeless fire pit…seemingly the perfect solution! They come in various shapes and sizes, so there is one that will work well for your needs.
I love my standard, metal wood-burning fire pit, but have been thinking about a smokeless one…so I’ve started doing a little research into how they work and what consumers and experts really think of them.
How Do Smokeless Fire Pits Work?
In general, smokeless fire pits are designed to burn hotter and with more air circulation. Smokeless fire pits use double walls so that air is being drawn from the bottom and up through the burning fire. Also, many will direct heat back down toward the center of the pit as well as holes in order to capture ash and burn off smoke.
The name “smokeless” gives the impression that no smoke is going to be produced, but this isn’t totally true…any time a fire pit is labeled as smokeless it just means that the amount of smoke that escapes the pit is reduced by up to 75%.
Do Smokeless Fire Pits Really Work?
On average, a smokeless fire pit will reduce the smoke a fire produces by up to 75%. Using dry hardwoods such as ash, oak or beech will produce the greatest results. However, many people have had success with burning other types of woods and even different materials like wood pellets and charcoal briquettes in their smokeless fire pit.
The most important thing to remember about a smokeless fire is that it works best when you keep an eye on your fuel. As your fire burns down, you’ll need to top up the fuel. This is where many people run into problems…they haven’t put enough wood or other material in their pit to last through an entire burn and they end up having a smoky mess left over.
A smokeless fire will usually produce more ash than one that isn’t as efficient, but if you put the right amount of wood in your pit this shouldn’t be an issue.
If you are looking for a good smokeless fire to use at home or around your property then there are plenty of options out there to choose from. They come in all shapes and sizes so it’s easy to find one that will work well for your needs.
Why Is My Smokeless Fire Pit Giving Off Smoke?
In general, if your smokeless fire pit is giving off a lot of smoke then the issue likely lies in how much air is getting into the pit, the size of wood that you are burning, or the type of wood you are burning.
Even the best smokeless fire pit will have trouble reducing the amount of smoke emitted if you are using woods with high moisture content like pine and poplar.
These woods should be avoided as they don’t burn efficiently and will produce a lot of smoke. This is why it’s so important to use dry hardwoods like ash, beech, or oak for your firewood if you want to have success in reducing smoke from your fire.
Since smokeless fire pits are designed with dual combustion in mind (this is what burns off most of the smoke) you might be overfilling your pit with too much wood, making it difficult for it to keep up with the smoke…Luckily, there is an easy solution, just use smaller pieces of wood. If the problem persists, then use less wood.
It’s also possible that the air holes and other ventilation systems aren’t working properly and this is causing your smokeless fire pit to give off too much smoke. If this is the case then your fire pit might be due for a good cleaning.
If your fire pit was a DIY job, then perhaps your ventilation holes aren’t quite big enough or there are enough of them. In this case, you can either use smaller pieces of wood or drill the holes a little bigger.
Can I Burn Any Type Of Wood In A Smokeless Fire Pit?
In general, most smokeless fire pits will allow for any type of wood to be burned in them however, some do have limitations on what types they can burn. Most experts recommend using only hardwoods like oak, ash, and beech.
While it is possible to burn softwoods like pine or cedar, these are best saved for your indoor fireplace unless you want the hassle of dealing with excess ash that will result from burning them in your smokeless fire pit.
These types of woods also introduce bad flavors to your food, so if you’re planning to cook over your fire pit stick with hardwoods that are ideal for cooking like hickory or applewood.
There are some fire pits out there that can even burn pellets which is a great option if you regularly use this type of fuel in your home to heat your house or cook your food.
It’s also important not to overload the pit with wood because it could cause too much pressure on the air channels, preventing the air from getting to the fuel efficiently.
If you are unsure of what woods to use in your pit, then it might be best to consult with the manufacturer or look on their website for more detailed information about which types they recommend burning and which ones should be avoided. They usually have a product manual that will include this information along with other helpful tips on how to get the most out of your fire pit.
Do Smokeless Fire Pits Keep You Warm?
On average, a smokeless fire pit will put out about the same amount of heat as a standard fire pit that’s similar in size, so it will definitely help to keep you warm during those colder months.
The best part is that you can enjoy your outdoor space all year round, even in winter when it’s too cold to venture outside for long periods of time. In fact, some people have reported sitting out on their patio as late as January enjoying a nice warm campfire with no hassle and no mess.
In the winter in Alaska, we’d regularly be around the fire pit in the deep winter…sometimes with outdoor temperatures hovering around 0*F.
Final Thoughts
For people who love to spend time outdoors, a smokeless fire pit is perfect for cold winter months when it’s too chilly to venture outside. When the weather turns colder you might have trouble getting your outdoor furniture comfortable enough so that everyone can sit in one place without freezing their backsides off.
If this sounds like an issue you’re facing then consider purchasing a smokeless fire pit and enjoy sitting around its warmth all year long! These pits are great even if they don’t burn actual wood because many of them use pellets or other fuel sources instead which makes them convenient for indoor heating during inclement weather.