How To Build A Smokeless Fire Pit (Step-by-Step Guide)
Fire pits are a part of enjoying fall, and they’re a hugely popular backyard fixture for almost every home. Unfortunately, heavy smoke can be an issue when you’re trying to build up a nice fire. If you’re not a fan of smoke, building a smokeless fire pit might be the best way to get the heat you want without having clouds of smoke blowing in your face.
A smokeless fire pit can be built using several methods, including the charcoal method and the upside-down method. It’s important to recognize that smokeless fire pits are not entirely smokeless, but reduce the amount of smoke they emit. For a truly smokeless fire, you will need to get a gas fire pit.
If you’re going camping or just want to make a fire pit in your backyard, then you should know at least one or two ways to build a smokeless fire pit. This guide will give you the ins and outs of a DIY approach, plus what you need to know about getting a gas-powered alternative.
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How Do You Build Smokeless Fire Pits?
Smokeless fire pits are most commonly done as DIY methods, where you use basic fire creation methods that are modified to reduce the amount of smoke that is expelled. Scientifically, this is called a complete combustion.
This can be done through the following methods below…
The Charcoal Method
For this method, you will need bricks, charcoal, a fire starter, newspaper, and tinder.
- Set up your bricks in a way that will trap as much heat as you can manage. This can include using two or three blocks to keep the fire inside, with just enough space to keep the fuel inside.
- Jam a piece of newspaper inside the bricks, and then place three pieces of tinder inside. You want the tinder to be arranged in a triangular, flat shape in the middle of the newspaper.
- Add three more pieces of tinder in a separate triangle figure on top of the first triangle. This should make a six-pointed star. Continue to arrange tinder in alternating triangles until you have made a nest.
- Drop some fire starter in your fire pit and light the fire. Slowly introduce charcoal once the fire has begun to get bright.
The Upside-Down Campfire Method
This method might smoke for the first couple of moments, but you will be able to enjoy clean burns afterward. To do this, you will need logs of varying sizes, kindling, and a piece of paper.
- Start off by stacking logs, with the larger logs on the bottom and smaller ones on top. This might be counterintuitive, but trust us on this. It works.
- Top your pile with a fair amount of kindling. Ideally, you will have at least two inches of kindling on top of your fire pit.
- Take your piece of paper and crumple it, place it right on top of the kindling. There’s no special method here. Just crumple and toss.
- Light the paper on fire. The paper’s fire will run downwards, bringing a smokeless fire with it.
The Dakota Fire Hole
This classic camping move is a great way to conceal a fire, get higher heat levels, and prevent fire from escaping into the wild. You will need charcoal, kindling, and a shovel to make this work. Here’s how to do it:
- Start off by using your shovel to dig a hole around one foot deep into the ground. You want it to be a round hole that is one cubic foot in height and depth. When you get this shape, widen the bottom so that you can add more wood later on.
- Once the hole is dug, add a ventilation shaft that leads to the surface. Start by digging a hole a foot away from the tunnel, downwind from the fire hole. The tunnel should be approximately six inches in diameter and should angle towards the fire hole.
- Connect the ventilation shaft to the fire hole. It sometimes helps if you dig towards the shaft from the fire hole itself.
- Build the fire of your choosing with charcoal, kindling, and nearby woods in the fire hole. If you want, you can light the fire right now to give it some time to heat up.
- Use a grid of new saplings to hold any cooking equipment that you are using above the hole. You can also use an iron grate for this.
Video: Building a DIY Smokeless Fire Pit
Should I Buy A Smokeless Fire Pit?
If you have a gas container or a gas line, then you might want to invest in a stylish gas-powered fire pit. Gas fire pits produce less (or no) smoke, have an elegant appearance, and are also safe to use on decks and patios. This makes them a smart permanent solution to fire pit problems in smaller areas.
People who love fire pits but don’t quite have a yard large enough for a traditional one might want to invest in a smokeless fire pit. Some of the better options include:
- BREEO Double Flame Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit. At only 24 inches in diameter, this slick stainless steel fire pit uses wood to give you the fire you want, yet provides enough safety to make it safe for use on your deck. It’s also made to be cooking compatible and can be accessorized with BREEO grill supplies.
- Solo Stove Yukon Fire Pit. Another option you can choose comes from Solo Stove, and it’s a little bit larger than the BREEO model we picked at 27 inches in diameter. The Yukon Fire Pit is designed to work with wood and also has the perk of being portable.
- Bali Outdoors Tabletop Fire Pit. Are you looking for a smokeless fire pit that’s mostly geared towards ambiance? Bali has you covered with a stately tabletop fire pit that’s totally powered by gas. This model is made to be a conversation piece, but it also has a fire level control to give you better power over your fire’s output.
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Related Questions
What is the difference between partial and complete combustion?
Partial combustion means that your fire will let out water, carbon dioxide, as well as other particles that most of us would constitute as “smoke.” Complete combustion means that the fire is burning materials completely, which means that it will leave nothing but water and carbon dioxide as byproducts.
Can I put a fire pit in my backyard?
For the most part, this is a legal move. As long as the fire pit in question lives up to the local codes and ordinances, there should be no problem installing a new fire pit.
What is the best rock to use in a fire pit?
When choosing rocks, don’t use heavy and hard rocks to decorate your pit. They are prone to explosions because they can’t absorb water or handle heat. The best rocks to add to a fire pit include lava rock, poured concrete, lava glass, and fire-rated brick.
Can you leave a fire pit burning overnight?
Absolutely not! While the fire may be contained in a pit, it’s still dangerous to leave a fire pit unattended. All fires are going to need to have some supervision. If you need to go to sleep, just extinguish the fire and go inside.
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Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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