A smokeless fire pit is a type of fire pit that is designed to burn wood or other solid fuels without producing a lot of smoke. This allows people to enjoy a cozy fire even in urban areas where excessive smoke may be prohibited. Smokeless fire pits work through a combination of design features that promote more complete combustion of the fuel and trap any residual smoke.
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What is a smokeless fire pit?
A smokeless fire pit is a specially designed outdoor fireplace that burns wood or other solid fuels with very little smoke production. They are also sometimes called “clean burning fire pits.”
The key advantages of smokeless fire pits are:
- Produce up to 90% less smoke than a traditional open wood burning fire
- Allow you to enjoy a real wood fire even in smoke-restricted areas
- Easier to install and meet local fire codes since they cut down on air pollution
- Emit less of the irritating particulates associated with smoke
Smokeless fire pits come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs. But they all share common features to facilitate more complete burning of the wood fuel with less excess smoke.
How do smokeless fire pits reduce smoke?
Smokeless fire pits are carefully engineered to provide the ideal amount of air flow and circulation to allow the fuel to fully combust. There are two main design factors that allow smokeless fireplaces to burn cleaner than a traditional open fire:
- Air intake vents – Smokeless fire pits have intake vents at the base of the unit that allow air to enter and circulate under the fire. More air flow means the fuel combusts more fully. Without proper oxygen flow, the fire will smolder and create smoke.
- Double-walled or insulated construction – Smokeless fire pits have a sealed inner fire chamber, surrounded by outer walls of non-combustible materials. This traps heat and causes the fire to burn hotter while also retaining any smoke. The insulation promotes complete combustion within the fire chamber.
These two design factors work together to provide the ideal conditions within the fire pit for a strong, hot fire that burns fuel efficiently and reduces excess smoke output.
Types of smokeless fire pits
There are a few main design styles of smokeless fire pits on the market today:
Downdraft smokeless fire pits
Downdraft smokeless fireplaces have an angled chimney at the top of the pit. The angled chimney draws air up and out of the fire, pulling oxygen downward through the fuel load. The downdraft airflow promotes more complete burning and also takes any residual smoke with it up and out the chimney.
Air injection smokeless fire pits
These specialized smokeless fireplaces have small fans built into their construction. The fans inject extra oxygen from intake vents directly into the heart of the fire. The forced airflow allows the wood to burn hotter and reduces smoldering. This type of smokeless fire pit requires electricity to run the air fans.
Natural draft smokeless pits
Many smokeless fire bowls rely solely on intake vents and good insulation to reduce smoke. Carefully designed vent placement allows air to circulate naturally through the unit without any fans. The right amount of airflow for the size of the fire chamber generates the ideal conditions for smokeless burning.
Best materials for smokeless fire pits
Smokeless fire pits are typically made from heavy-duty, non-combustible materials that can withstand high temperatures. Some of the most common materials include:
- 304 stainless steel – The most popular material for smokeless fire pits. Provides excellent heat resistance and durability.
- Cast iron or enameled steel – Traditional materials for outdoor fireplaces. Heavy and durable but requires more maintenance.
- Engineered stone – Made from materials like concrete and cinder blocks. Affordable but prone to cracking over time.
- Aluminum – Lightweight option but doesn’t retain heat as well. May melt under very high temperatures.
- Fire brick – The inner fire chamber may be lined with fire brick to retain heat.
Stainless steel is one of the best all-around materials for smokeless fire pits. It is affordable, sturdy, resistant to high heat, and requires little maintenance compared to other metals.
Pro tips for using your smokeless fire pit
To maximize the smokeless benefits of your fire pit, follow these pro tips:
- Use only dry, well-seasoned wood. Wet or green wood will smolder and smoke more.
- Stack wood loosely in a crisscross arrangement so oxygen can flow through.
- Allow the fire to get very hot before slowing adding more wood.
- Don’t let the flames get so high they lick above the pit.
- Clean out ashes regularly to improve airflow.
- Check that all vents remain open and unobstructed.
It also helps to use a fire pit grate or grate-style log holder. This gets the wood up off the bottom of the pit so air can move under the fuel. Slowly feeding smaller pieces of wood will maintain a hotter, cleaner-burning fire.
Smokeless fire pit safety tips
While smokeless fire pits are designed to burn with less smoke, you should still take some basic precautions when using one:
- Never leave a fire unattended, even if it is contained within a pit.
- Locate the fire pit at least 25 feet away from any structures or combustible materials.
- Don’t use lighter fluid or any other flammable accelerants on the fire.
- Have a fire extinguisher and/or garden hose nearby.
- Don’t overload the fire pit with too much wood.
- Extinguish the fire completely before leaving it.
- Allow the fire pit to fully cool before handling.
Always check local burn regulations and fire codes before installing and using any type of outdoor fire pit or appliance.
Conclusion
Smokeless fire pits provide an innovative solution for enjoying the ambiance of an outdoor fire without excessive smoke. Key design features like intake vents, insulation, and strategic air flow allow the firewood to burn more fully and cleanly. Stainless steel is one of the best materials for durability and easy maintenance. With some basic safety precautions and proper technique, a smokeless fire pit can be a great addition to your outdoor space.