Fuel type: Wood or charcoal
Burn time: 7-30 (high-low) hours
Materials: Steel
Dimensions: 27 x 13 x 15.8 inches
The BioLite FirePit+ is not just a fire pit but a game-changer. It promises a smokeless fire and doubles as a cooking stove, making it a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts. As winter approaches, the thought of enjoying the warmth and crackle of a fire without the inconvenience of smoke is quite appealing. The BioLite FirePit+ offers just that.
For those like me who aren't experienced campers, the BioLite FirePit+ could be the modern solution we're looking for. It arrived pre-assembled and ready to use, accommodating wood and charcoal as fuel. I was particularly impressed by its integrated fan, which contributed to the smokeless fire effect, and its 360° view of the flames through enlarged X-ray mesh sides. The foldable legs elevated the pit off the ground, and its Bluetooth connectivity via the BioLite Energy app added a touch of excitement to outdoor adventures.
I was looking forward to seeing whether it lived up to the hype and proved one of the best fire pits on the market. I put the BioLite FirePit+ through its paces to see whether it was worth the investment, especially regarding the smokeless fire and its suitability for both novices and experienced campers.
Katie Sims is a freelance writer who mainly writes content for Future's Homes and Gardens titles. She covers a range of topics, including DIY advice, cleaning features, decor ideas, and product reviews. Katie thoroughly tested the BioLite FirePit+ for over a week to assess its performance. Throughout the process, she ensured to consider everything from assembly to cleaning and maintenance.
BioLite FirePit+: Price and availability
The FirePit+ is available for direct purchase from BioLite or on Amazon for $299.95, a reasonable price for a smokeless fire pit with smart features. What’s particularly convenient about the FirePit+ is that it comes with a grill, so you can start cooking on it immediately.
For a more efficient and varied cooking experience, you can get additional accessories for the FirePit Cooking Kit, including the FirePit, Griddle, Lid, and Prep and Grill Toolkit, for $489.80. This price is still reasonable given everything it includes, but the additional cost is optional. Without these extras, you can still enjoy the FirePit+ as a fire pit and cooking stove.
BioLite FirePit+: Setup and assembly
When the FirePit+ arrived, it came in a box with a lot of non-recyclable bubble wrap, which was a bit of a bummer. However, I saved the bubble wrap for future use. The box was larger than necessary, but it was a relief to see that it was recyclable and contained no single-use plastic, making it an environmentally responsible choice.
The FirePit+ was a joy to receive, as it came pre-assembled. This meant I didn't have to do anything except unfold the legs and find a spot in the yard. The fuel rack and grill grate were already in place, and although no instructions were provided, it was straightforward to figure out how to set it up for cooking.
BioLite FirePit+: Design
The BioLite FirePit+'s sleek, modern design, with an enamel-coated steel exterior and all-black body, creates striking visual appeal, especially with the warm yellow of the USB rechargeable powerpack at the front. The mesh sides allow me to see the flames within and create a mesmerizing floating fire effect at night, adding a touch of fascination to your outdoor experience.
With the BioLite FirePit+, moving the fire pit around is a breeze. The convenient carry handles and foldable legs that elevate it off the ground make it surprisingly lightweight and easy to transport, even for a solo camper. This level of convenience is perfect for camping trips, ensuring you can easily set up your fire pit and focus on enjoying your outdoor experience.
The BioLite FirePit+ is not just about looks and convenience; it's also about durability. The upgraded features of the FirePit+ make it stand out. The larger internal battery, enlarged X-ray mesh, and high-temp enamel coating ensure that this fire pit is built to last. Plus, the included accessories like the Grill Grate and Fuel Rack and the optional FirePit Cooking Kit take the cooking experience to the next level, providing a secure and reliable outdoor cooking solution.
What truly impresses me is the USB rechargeable powerpack, a unique feature that powers the fan and creates a smokeless fire through 51 air jets. This eliminates the need for traditional fire-starting methods and ensures a clean and efficient burn. The fan settings can be controlled through the buttons on the powerpack or the BioLite Energy app, which also provides real-time battery and power usage stats.
BioLite FirePit+: Performance
I had no trouble lighting a fire in the FirePit+. I laid out kindling and fire starters in a grid-like pattern, making it easy for the flames to spread. After lighting it at a few different points, a good fire was roaring within 10 minutes. I added a couple of larger logs to make it last longer. Adjusting the fan settings was simple; I used the buttons on the powerpack and then the Bluetooth app, which I preferred because I could monitor the fan’s battery life based on the low, medium, and high settings.
I followed this procedure each time I used the fire pit just to enjoy the fire. I switched the fuel from wood to coal when cooking food and moved the rack higher.
Once all the coals were burning, I laced the grill grate holding our food—chicken legs and sausages one night and beef burgers the next — over the fire pit. I used the tongs and spatula from the Prep & Grill Toolkit to turn the food and the Grill Lid to maintain high heat while opening the vents to allow air circulation. In about 30 minutes, the food was ready to eat and had the same delicious taste I would expect from a standard barbecue.
The mesh body of the fire pit made the experience even more enjoyable. It allowed the heat to radiate outward and upwards so I could enjoy the fire from different angles. I especially liked the effect of the X-ray mesh at night, when the black body of the fire pit blended into the darkness, and the flames appeared to be hovering off the ground.
Unfortunately, there was some smoke, which was a little disappointing. I found that I couldn’t stand directly next to the fire pit without experiencing the sting of smoke in my eyes, and my coat smelled slightly smokey afterward. This wasn’t enough to ruin the experience, though, as the smoke produced was generally minor. The FirePit+ also felt very safe to use, especially with the help of the Fire Poker, which was long enough to stoke the fuel from a comfortable distance.
BioLite FirePit+: Care and maintenance
BioLite offers a one-year warranty on the FirePit+, which covers any manufacturing defects. However, damage due to general wear and tear and improper use, such as leaving the fire pit exposed to inclement weather or not using the Carry Bag for storage, is not covered. To maintain its optimal condition, Demian Lashlee, Associate Director of International Sales at BioLite, advises, " Treat the FirePit+ as you would any BBQ or grill. Avoid inclement weather, and use the Carry Bag (sold separately) to store in a dry location.”
I felt comfortable leaving the fire pit outdoors overnight because the Grill Lid, which sits perfectly on top of the pit, fully protects the inside. The Carry Bag would be preferable for long-term storage, as it covers the whole exterior, though it’s still best to store the pit in a sheltered location. Thanks to the handy fold-up legs, the FirePit+ can easily be stored without taking up excess space.
Emptying the ash is made easy by the trap door at the base of the pit. This trap door is a hinged panel that can be opened to allow the ash to fall through. I simply carried the FirePit+ to the trash and tilted it on its side; once I opened the trap door, all the ash fell through the bottom. I accidentally pulled the trap door out of place completely and struggled to fit it back into place afterward, so I’d recommend only opening this halfway. It’s best practice to empty the ash of the fire pit after each use for optimal airflow and smokeless flames. I also wiped around the inside of the pit with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any ash left over.
Cleaning the FirePit+ grill grate is as easy as cleaning any other grill. I simply washed mine in the sink with hot, soapy water. For the best cooking results, Demian suggests cleaning and applying a thin layer of oil to the grill grate before each use. This simple maintenance routine ensures the grill grate is always ready for your next grilling session.
BioLite FirePit+: User reviews
The BioLite FirePit+ boasts a commendable 4.2-star rating on Amazon, with a significant 65% of reviewers awarding it a perfect five stars. Despite being a relatively new entrant with only 196 reviews, the overwhelming positivity from the majority of customers is a promising sign, setting a high bar for customer satisfaction.
The BioLite website's fire pit reviews paint a picture of a versatile product, earning an impressive average rating of 4.1/5 stars. A satisfied customer's testimonial captures the essence of the FirePit+: “This firepit is a game-changer. The fan not only ignites the fire but also maintains its heat. The minimal smoke and ash, along with the efficient grill, make it a perfect companion for outdoor cooking.”
Some customers are satisfied with how smokeless the fire pit is, with one reviewer writing on Amazon, “It is not smokeless but very close. If you load it with kiln-dry wood and keep the wood below the top vent holes tubing, you pretty much are smokeless...not completely, but really close.” This person still gave the FirePit+ a five-star rating, so the amount of smoke produced was not enough to hamper the experience.
Others were less convinced. One customer gave the fire pit one star and wrote, “Great marketing but a terrible product, thin, cheaply made, smokes just like a normal pit, about the only thing it’s good for is a small grill. Don’t waste your money.” There were also complaints about manufacturing issues, with some reviewers experiencing broken [insert specific parts] after using the fire pit the first or second time.
BioLite FirePit+: Expert opinion
BioLite set out to create a fire pit that would revolutionize the outdoor experience, eliminating the discomfort of smoke. Demian from BioLite explains, “Our FirePit+ offers a significantly better burn, thanks to the innovative battery-driven fan that ensures a consistent flow of air, resulting in a flame with far less smoke than a traditional fire. And for those who love outdoor cooking, this product allows you to grill your favorite foods over wood or charcoal.”
For those in search of a portable fire pit of a good size, the FirePit+ is a convenient choice. Demian recommends it for “car campers, beachgoers, glampers, and anyone who enjoys gathering with loved ones around a fire in their backyard or patio.”
Should you buy the BioLite FirePit+?
If you want to enjoy a hassle-free fire pit that can easily be taken away on vacation, the BioLite FirePit+ is ideal. There’s no assembly required, and you can start enjoying it immediately as both a fire pit and a cooking stove are easy to navigate. Using coal and firewood as fuel is also a plus, as you can use whichever you have to hand. Cleaning and maintaining the fire pit is also easy because of the handy trap door at the base.
Though the fires produced in the FirePit+ can’t be definitively described as smokeless, they allow you to enjoy a fire without enduring copious amounts of smoke. Our experience was still enjoyable despite some smoke, and some reviewers on Amazon have claimed that they could enjoy a smoke-free fire in the FirePit+, so there is perhaps scope to achieve this if the kindling and wood are arranged in a certain way.
The smart features are impressive if you like adjusting settings from your phone. Connecting the app to the fire pit is straightforward, and we liked seeing how much charge the battery powering the fan had left. Overall, I recommend the FirePit+ for anyone looking to purchase a fire pit and cooking stove in one, as it performs exceptionally well in both roles.
How does the BioLite FirePit+ compare?
BioLite’s other fire pit, the CampStove 2+, priced at $149.95, is a smaller and more portable option, weighing only 2.06 lbs. However, it will take longer to cook and produce a fire, a fraction of the size created by the FirePit+. The FirePit+, on the other hand, with its unique blend of portability, performance, and design, stands out as a versatile and stylish choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Another smokeless fire pit at the same price point is Solo Stove’s Bonfire 2.0, which is bigger (and therefore less portable) than the FirePit+, though having tested this ourselves, can be said to create a more smokeless fire. The Bonfire 2.0 also has an extractable ash pan, which makes cleaning even easier than the trap door feature of FirePit+, a feature that allows you to [insert details about the trap door feature here]. However, BioLite’s product is probably the more stylish of the two, with its mesh sides and compact design. It also has smart features, which Solo Stove’s fire pits lack.
