Our Top Picks
The Hykolity 31-inch 2-in-1 fire pit with a swivel cooking grate is the best all-around wood burning pit for most backyards: it is large enough for a real bonfire, yet small enough to move and store, and the grill grate lets it double as a cooking surface. A wood burning fire pit is a metal bowl or table that holds a real wood fire, so it throws sparks and embers and needs a proper setback from the house. The six pits below range from a 22-inch compact bowl to 43-inch family-size models.
Quick List
- Hykolity 31-Inch 2-in-1 Fire Pit with Grill – best for a balanced backyard pit that also cooks
- Gas One 22-Inch Fire Pit with Mesh Lid – best for small patios and tight spaces
- OutVue 42-Inch Fire Pit with Two Grills – best for large gatherings and big logs
- 32-Inch 2-in-1 Fire Pit and BBQ Grill – best for camp-style cooking and bonfires
- 43-Inch Fire Pit with Two Adjustable Grills – best for the biggest group cookouts
- Quilushey 32-Inch Square Fire Pit Table with Spark Screen – best for a table-height look with a spark screen included
Which One Is Right for You?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want one pit to warm six to eight people and grill burgers | Hykolity 31-Inch 2-in-1 |
| Entertain big groups and burn full-size logs | OutVue 42-Inch |
| Have a small patio and need a compact bowl with a lid | Gas One 22-Inch |
| Want a spark screen and a square, table-style look | Quilushey 32-Inch Square |
| Cook for a crowd with two separate grill grates | 43-Inch with Two Adjustable Grills |
| Camp occasionally and want a 2-in-1 pit-and-grill | 32-Inch 2-in-1 BBQ |
The right diameter depends on your space more than your wish list. A 22-inch pit suits one or two chairs. A 31 to 32 inch pit suits a circle of four to six. A 42 to 43 inch pit needs open lawn and a clear ten-plus feet in every direction, and you should check your local rules before installing it.
All 6 Picks in Detail
1. Hykolity 31-Inch 2-in-1 Fire Pit with Grill – Best Balanced Backyard Pit
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Hykolity’s 31-inch round fire pit is described as a large wood burning pit with a swivel cooking grate, so one bowl handles both evening fires and weekend cookouts. Thirty-one inches across fits a comfortable stack of logs with room for sparks to land inside the bowl, while the swivel grate lets you move food away from flames. This is the middle path between small bowls and monster pits, which is why it leads the list.
The listing mentions the pit is for backyard bonfires and patio use; confirm what accessories, such as a poker or lid, are included.
For a typical evening, burn a modest stack of seasoned logs, let the flames settle and swing the grate over the coals. That workflow keeps flare-ups down and makes the pit useful well beyond marshmallows. Set it on level pavers or gravel with several feet of bare space around the bowl.
- Diameter: 31 inches, per the listing name
- Type: wood burning, 2-in-1 with grill
- Cooking: swivel cooking grate
- Material: confirm on the product page
- Included accessories: confirm on the product page
Pros
- Bonfire size without needing a huge yard
- Swivel grate makes cooking more practical
Cons
- Accessory list is not clear from the name
- Not small enough for a tiny balcony or deck
Compared with the 32-inch generic 2-in-1, the Hykolity names its swivel grate, which is the more convenient detail.
2. Gas One 22-Inch Fire Pit with Mesh Lid – Best for Small Patios
The Gas One is a 22-inch wood burning pit made of alloy steel, supplied with a mesh lid and a fire picker. A mesh lid is a meaningful safety feature: it stops floating embers while letting heat and light through, and it can be used to extinguish the fire by cutting airflow once you cover it. At 22 inches it is the most compact on the list and suits a small patio, a camp site or a corner of a yard.
Small bowls fill with ash quickly, so scoop out cooled ash before each use to preserve airflow. The fire picker named in the listing is a long-handled tool; use it, rather than your hand or a short stick, to shift burning logs.
- Diameter: 22 inches, per the listing name
- Material: alloy steel, per the listing name
- Includes: mesh lid and fire picker, per the listing name
- Type: wood burning
- Grill or cooking surface: not stated; confirm on the product page
Pros
- Lid helps with ember control
- Easy to move and store
Cons
- Small bowl needs short logs
- Warms fewer people at once
It is the pit to pick over the Hykolity if you have only a few feet of space or want a pit you can carry to a campsite.
3. OutVue 42-Inch Fire Pit with Two Grills – Best for Large Gatherings
OutVue’s 42-inch pit comes with two grills, a lid and a poker, and the listing calls it a heavy-duty large wood burning pit for BBQ and bonfires. Forty-two inches gives you a wide circle for a group of eight or more, and having two grills lets you cook on one side while keeping the other clear for flames. A pit this size throws a lot of heat, so plan on generous clearance on every side.
Because it is large and heavy, choose its permanent spot carefully. You will not want to move it often.
Think of this one as the centerpiece of a dedicated fire area: a ring of gravel or stone, chairs set well back and a hose within reach. A pit of this diameter radiates heat outward, so seating needs more room than you would give a smaller bowl.
- Diameter: 42 inches, per the listing name
- Includes: two grills, a lid and a poker, per the listing name
- Construction: described as heavy duty; material to confirm
- Type: wood burning, BBQ and bonfire
- Weight and bowl depth: confirm on the product page
Pros
- Fits big groups and large logs
- Two grills and a lid included
Cons
- Requires a large clear area
- Heavy and awkward to relocate
It sits just below the 43-inch model in size, with a clearer list of inclusions.
4. 32-Inch 2-in-1 Fire Pit and BBQ Grill – Best for Camp-Style Cooking
This unbranded 32-inch wood burning fire pit is described as a 2-in-1 fireplace and BBQ grill, suited to backyard and camping use, and shaped as a round burning stove. At 32 inches it sits right beside the Hykolity in size, so it can warm a similar number of people. The listing is light on specifics, so be prepared to check the product page for grate type, thickness and accessories.
With a generic listing, the product page is your best source. Look for photos of the bowl depth, the grate and the legs, and read the dimensions to see how tall the pit stands, since low pits radiate heat toward the ground and need more protection underneath.
- Diameter: 32 inches, per the listing name
- Type: wood burning, 2-in-1 with BBQ grill
- Shape: round
- Material and thickness: confirm
- Included poker, lid or screen: confirm
Pros
- Similar footprint to the mid-size favorite
- Grill function for cooking over coals
Cons
- Few details in the listing name
- No named brand features such as a swivel grate
Pick it over the Hykolity only if the product page shows a feature set or accessory list that better suits you.
5. 43-Inch Fire Pit with Two Adjustable Grills – Best for the Biggest Cookouts
Another unbranded entry, this 43-inch wood burning metal fire pit comes with two adjustable grills, a lid and a fire poker, and is pitched for BBQ, bonfire, camping and picnic use. Adjustable grills mean you can raise or lower the cooking surface to manage heat. At 43 inches it is the largest bowl on the list, and the one with the greatest need for open ground.
Adjustable grills are only useful if they are stable, so check how the height is changed and whether the grates lock in place. Always wear heat-resistant gloves and use long tools when moving a grate over a live fire.
- Diameter: 43 inches, per the listing name
- Includes: two adjustable grills, lid and fire poker, per the listing name
- Type: wood burning metal pit
- Material and gauge: confirm
- Weight and legs: confirm
Pros
- Adjustable grills give control over cooking heat
- Large capacity for crowds
Cons
- Needs a huge safe zone and sturdy base surface
- Large pits burn through firewood quickly
Choose this over the OutVue 42-inch if adjustable grill height matters to you.
6. Quilushey 32-Inch Square Fire Pit Table with Spark Screen – Best for a Table-Style Look
The Quilushey is a 32-inch square metal fire pit table with a fire poker and spark screen, described as a 3-in-1 for outdoor heating. A square table design sits at coffee-table height, which is attractive for a patio conversation set, and the included spark screen helps contain embers. Because it is a table, place it on a non-combustible base and keep it away from wooden decks, as sparks or heat can still reach the surface beneath.
Table-style pits can radiate heat downward through the base, so set one on stone or concrete and use a heat shield if the manual calls for one. Place it where guests can walk around it, and never leave a lit pit unattended.
- Size: 32 inches, square, per the listing name
- Includes: fire poker and spark screen, per the listing name
- Type: wood burning metal fire pit table
- Function: 3-in-1, per the listing name; confirm the three uses
- Material and weight: confirm
Pros
- Spark screen included
- Square table form fits seating arrangements
Cons
- Square corners limit log length
- Ash handling and heat shielding below the pit need attention
It is the only pick here styled as a table, so choose it for looks and spark control rather than for hosting a large cookout.
Specs Compared
| Fire pit | Size and shape | Cooking grate | Lid or screen | Poker or tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hykolity 31-Inch | 31 in, round | Swivel grate | Confirm on listing | Confirm on listing |
| Gas One 22-Inch | 22 in, round | Confirm on listing | Mesh lid | Fire picker |
| OutVue 42-Inch | 42 in, round | Two grills | Lid | Poker |
| 32-Inch 2-in-1 | 32 in, round | BBQ grill | Confirm on listing | Confirm on listing |
| 43-Inch Two Grills | 43 in, round | Two adjustable grills | Lid | Fire poker |
| Quilushey 32-Inch | 32 in, square table | Confirm on listing | Spark screen | Fire poker |
How We Chose These
This list is built from current catalog listings for wood burning fire pits aimed at backyard use. We kept pits whose names state a diameter and name at least one of a grill, lid, spark screen or poker, so shoppers can compare what comes in the box. Safety guidance on setbacks, spark control and decks comes from fire-safety and homeowner information published by fire-safety organizations, fire departments and outdoor retailers. We did not light or burn any of these pits, and where a listing omits a material or accessory we say to confirm it on the product page. We also left out gas-only and pellet models to keep the list focused on real wood fires.
What to Look For
Diameter and Capacity
Match the bowl to your guest list and your space. A 22-inch bowl suits two or three people sitting close. A 31 to 32 inch bowl suits four to six. A 42 or 43 inch bowl suits a group of eight or more and takes large logs. As a rule of thumb, keep logs at least four inches shorter than the bowl diameter so they sit fully inside, and never pile wood above the rim. Bigger bowls also burn more wood per hour, so budget extra firewood, and note that big pits can be too much for a small yard.
Distance, Surface and Local Rules
The most common guidance from fire-safety sources is to keep a fire pit at least 10 feet from your house and anything that can burn, and many local codes ask for 15 to 25 feet for wood fires because of ember throw. Keep it clear of overhanging branches, awnings and pergolas. Do not place a wood burning pit on a wood or composite deck; use pavers, gravel, stone or bare ground, or a heat-resistant pad rated for the purpose. Check city, county and HOA rules, and burn bans, before lighting a fire.
Spark Control and Fuel
A mesh lid or spark screen with openings smaller than half an inch catches most flying embers. Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood. Never use gasoline, lighter fluid on a hot fire or treated lumber. Avoid burning when winds run above a light breeze, because gusts carry embers well beyond your clearance zone. Keep a garden hose, bucket of water or a fire extinguisher within reach.
Material, Venting and Rust
Steel bowls are the norm. Thicker steel resists warping, and high-heat paint extends life but still burns off with use. Look for ventilation holes that feed oxygen and let ash drop, and legs that keep the bowl off the ground. Powder-coated or painted surfaces will discolor, which is normal. Cover the pit when not in use, because rain left in the bowl speeds up rust, and drainage holes help. Check welds and legs before each season.
Cooking and Ash Cleanup
A cooking grate turns a fire pit into a grill, but cook over coals after the flames settle, not over open flame. Swivel and adjustable grates help you control heat. After a fire, let the ash cool for 48 hours before removing it, then move it into a metal container with a lid. Hot embers can stay alive in ash for days, so never put ash in a plastic bin or paper bag.
A worked example puts the numbers together. Say your lawn is 20 feet deep from the back of the house to the fence and you want a 32-inch pit. Take the 10-foot minimum from the house and the roughly 3 feet the bowl occupies, and you have about seven feet remaining to the fence, which has to fit chairs. That is tight for a wood fire, so either choose a smaller pit like the 22-inch model, move the pit toward the middle of the yard, or consider a different fuel. Always let the local fire code, not a general rule, decide the final distance.
Finally, think about storage and upkeep before you buy. A pit that stays outdoors year-round should have a cover or lid, and one you plan to move should be light enough to lift with a helper. Wipe out cold ash, let the bowl dry and check legs and handles at the start of each season so small problems do not become safety problems.
Questions
How far should a wood burning fire pit be from the house?
Fire-safety guidance generally calls for at least 10 feet from structures and anything flammable, and many codes ask for 15 to 25 feet for wood fires. Check your local rules, since they take priority.
Can I use a wood burning fire pit on a wooden deck?
Fire-safety organizations advise against it. If you must, use a manufacturer-approved heat shield and keep the fire small, but a stone or paver area is safer.
What size fire pit do I need?
For two or three people, a 22 inch bowl is enough. For four to six, choose about 31 to 32 inches. For larger groups, look at 42 inches and above, and ensure you have the clearance.
Do I need a spark screen?
Yes, a screen or mesh lid is strongly recommended for any open wood fire. It cuts down on flying embers that can ignite grass, cushions or roofing.
Can I cook on a wood burning fire pit?
Yes, if it has a cooking grate. Wait for the flames to die down to glowing coals, and use long-handled tools.
How do I put out a fire pit safely?
Let the wood burn down, spread the coals, and douse with water while stirring until the hissing stops. Make sure it is cold to the touch before you leave it.
Update History
- October 14, 2026 – Initial publication; product set drawn from current catalog listings.
- Check the product page for current specifications and availability before buying.
Sources
- Retailer listing titles and specification fields for each fire pit
- Fire-safety and homeowner guidance on setbacks, spark screens and deck use from fire departments and outdoor retailers
Write Your Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!