Top-tier fire pits and chimineas for your outdoor space in the upcoming year, 2023
Spicing up your garden with a fire pit transforms it into a cozy campfire haven, perfect for big parties or quiet nights alone. Fire pits offer versatility, acting as a heat source that can double as a barbecue grill or a place to toast marshmallows and popcorn.
Fire pits are more eco-friendly and cost-effective compared to patio heaters, making them a great alternative for those seeking a greener and economical solution. With a plethora of options available, it can become overwhelming to choose the perfect one for your garden.
To help navigate this fiery landscape, we've gathered the top fire pits in the UK, addressing common questions, and offering expert advice on choosing the best fire pit tailored to your needs.
How to Light a Fire Pit:
- Fill the bottom of the fire pit or chiminea with a few inches of sand for protection.
- Place your kindling, such as newspaper, kindling balls, or firelighters, inside. Cover it with a pyramid of small logs.
- Light your fire pit, and let it start a small fire. Gradually add bigger logs while taking care not to suffocate the flames.
Decorate your patio with inspiration from our tests of the trendiest solar lights, our guide to the most stylish solar water features, or our advice on selecting the perfect garden furniture and parasols. If you're in the market for a grill, check out our comprehensive reviews of the best gas BBQs, the most impressive charcoal BBQs, and our guides to various barbecue accessories.
Fire Pit Reviews:
Get ready to browse through a variety of garden fire pits and chimineas below:
- La Hacienda Camping Firebowl: A folding fire pit with storage-friendly legs, offering an attractive yet affordable pricing.
- Vonhaus Outdoor Fireplace: A noteworthy centerpiece for patios with its understated design suiting both traditional and modern gardens. It includes handy storage for logs and kindling, along with a poker.
- Nest Iron Fire Pit Bowl: Designed as a birds' nest, this fire pit is ideal for woodland or cottage gardens and comes with a five-year guarantee.
- Prestige Large Round Firepit: With a lantern-style design that would fit well in a Japanese-inspired space, this fire pit offers 360° heat coverage due to mesh sides.
- Vonhaus Geo Fire Pit: A compact fire pit perfect for small spaces, featuring a grill to protect from stray sparks and decorative rings for easy mobility.
- La Hacienda Colorado Chimenea: A stylish chimenea combining heat coverage of a fire pit with the sleek design of a chimenea, ideal for modern patios.
- Swallows Fire Globe: A unique and captivating fire pit that can serve as a garden or patio centerpiece, casting mesmerizing light and shadow effects once twilight sets in.
- Ivyline Leo Steel Chiminea Fire Pit: This contemporary chiminea from John Lewis offers style and functionality, complete with a stand and a lid for rain protection.
- Charles Bentley Outdoor Patio Chiminea: A charming chiminea boasting a rustic terracotta finish and a lizard motif, accompanied by a useful stand and a lid for rain protection.
- Fire pit/table with copper top: A versatile coffee table during the day and a fire pit at night, this stunning copper-topped table is perfect for potted plants or coffee breaks. Once evening arrives, simply remove the top and fill it with logs.
Selecting the Best Fire Pit for Your Garden:
Space
Make sure your fire pit is suitable for your garden's size, allowing for comfortable heat and maintaining a safe distance.
Storage
If space is an issue, opt for a fire pit that can be easily dismantled for storage.
Style
Fire pits come in various styles to suit different types of gardens.- Bowl fire pits are basic, portable, and ideal for cooking but can produce a lot of smoke close to ground level.- Hanging fire pits are suspended above the ground, reducing the risk of scorching the patio.- Table fire pits are great for gatherings, offering protection from the flame and keeping guests at a reasonable distance.- Gas fire pits include the option of powering the fire pit with gas, but this can be bulky, expensive, and non-renewable.- Camping pits are lightweight and compact, perfect for campfires on the go.- Chimineas are usually made of clay but can also be modern versions made from metal or stone-effect materials, directing smoke upwards and away from people.
Fire Pit Budget:
Fire pits can range from £30 to over £1,000, with lovely fire pits available under £50. However, cheaper models made of carbon steel or clay are prone to rust, cracking, or both, and often come with little to no warranty.
Fire Pit or Chiminea:
Chimineas are better for small spaces due to their efficient smoke direction and smaller size. Fire pits, on the other hand, are more suited to larger gardens or patios because they emit heat more widely and allow for an open and communal atmosphere.
Fire Pit Material:
Durability and Weather Resistance
- Carbon steel is lightweight and cheap but may rust.
- Cast iron is inexpensive and durable but heavy.
- Clay chimineas are cheap, colorful, and prone to cracking.
- Corten steel is rust-resistant but is always rust-colored, potentially clashing with some garden aesthetics.
- Copper is lightweight but requires maintenance, turning blue over time.
- Stone fire pits are completely fireproof and weather resistant, but they can be expensive and heavy.
- Stainless steel is durable and rustproof, but it tends to be more expensive.
Choosing a Fire Pit over a Patio Heater:
Patio heaters have been under scrutiny for their inefficiency, consuming substantial amounts of electricity or non-renewable gas. Fire pits are typically more cost-effective, especially when using renewable firewood, and can provide an unmatched "fireside" ambiance.
Incorporating an outdoor fire pit into your garden can create a blend of home-and-garden, home-to-outdoor-living lifestyle, offering a cozy campfire haven ideal for both gatherings and quiet nights alone. Browse through various fire pit options, such as the 'Nest Iron Fire Pit Bowl' and 'La Hacienda Colorado Chimenea', tailored to suit different types of gardens like cottage or modern spaces.
