Buying guide
A fire pit turns a garden into somewhere to spend the evening, well into autumn. Choosing one is mostly about size, height and whether you want to cook on it; then it is about putting it in the right place and burning the right fuel. This guide covers each step, with the facts for the fire pits we sell.
What size fire pit do you need?
Firepits UK publishes a simple guide to how many people each bowl size suits. It is a good starting point for any round fire pit.
| Bowl diameter | Seats up to | Typical bowl depth (Firepits UK) | Suggested fuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50cm | 4 people | 14cm | Charcoal |
| 60cm | 6 people | 17.5cm | Charcoal or logs |
| 70cm | 8 people | 19.5cm | Logs |
| 80cm | 10 people | 21cm | Logs |
| 90cm | 12 people | 25cm | Logs |
| 120cm | 20 people | 27cm | Logs |
Remember the space around the pit as well as the pit itself: a 90cm bowl with chairs round it needs a circle roughly 4m across. For gatherings of twelve or more, see our large fire pits, and for compact spaces the 58cm Firepits UK Belly and Portobello or the 48cm Lifestyle Adena.
Types of fire pit
Low and simple
Fire bowls
Round steel bowls on short legs or a stand, such as the Celeste (32cm to 40cm high) and the tripod-style Classic in six sizes from 50cm to 120cm.
Raised
Raised and log store pits
Fire at sitting height with logs stacked underneath, from the Fire Bowl with Log Store (82cm high) to the Ring of Logs 90 and 120 (70cm high).
Cook and warm
Fire pits with BBQ racks
Swing arm racks that move over the embers or away from them, plancha rings and grills. Cook over the fire, then sit back and enjoy it.
Stone look
MGO and screened pits
Lifestyle's Calida and Adena have a stone-effect MGO body with a grill and spark mesh, and the Calida a metal fire bowl; the Prestige encloses the fire in a 360 degree mesh screen.
Height and style
- Low bowls such as the Celeste (32cm to 40cm) and the Portobello (38cm) suit loungers and a relaxed circle.
- Dining height pits such as the Belly Medium (65cm), Ring of Logs (70cm) and Wine Glass (57cm) bring the flames nearer seated eye level.
- Standing height pits are for cooking: the Belly Tall is 74cm, the Sizzler 74cm and the Plancha Fire Pit 93.5cm.
- Deep bowls shelter the fire in windy gardens: the Solex has a 35cm or 40cm deep bowl with a raised log grate, and the Belly a 25cm bowl.
- Square rather than round: the Firepits UK Box D (80 x 80cm) and Mini Hex (35.5cm), and the Gardeco Aragon fire basket.
Portable fire pits
If you want to take the fire to the beach, campsite or the bottom of the garden, look at the light designs. The Lifestyle Kaida Traveller folds on pin-lock legs into a carry bag and weighs 5.4kg. The Firepits UK Flat Pack Portable slots together from five pieces without tools and packs flat to 51 x 32 x 6cm (12kg). The Firepits UK 2 in 1 Camping Pit is 38.5cm across and 8.5kg, with a lid that turns it into a roasting oven or smoker box. Always check the rules where you plan to use one: many beaches, parks and campsites ban open fires.
Steel, cast iron or MGO?
- Thick bare steel. Most Firepits UK pits are 3mm British steel, with 5mm on the largest and 2mm on the Belly, the Sizzler and the portable models. They leave the workshop uncoated and lightly oiled, then weather to a rusty patina, which Firepits UK says is natural and does not affect use. The maker says its products last more than ten years outdoors.
- Black steel. The Gardeco Dakota is black steel with side handles and a 5-year guarantee, in 50cm, 80cm and 100cm sizes.
- Cast iron. The Gardeco Aragon fire basket has cast iron sides on a steel base and legs, with a chromed steel BBQ grill.
- MGO. A magnesium oxide composite with a stone-like look, used on the Lifestyle Adena and Calida, each with a cooking grill and spark mesh; the Calida also has a metal fire bowl.
Read why steel fire pits rust for what is normal and how to slow it down.
Do you want to cook on it?
A fire pit makes a good wood-fired BBQ once the logs burn down to embers. Swing arm racks, such as on the Plain Jane and BBQ King, swing over the fire to cook and away to serve or refuel. Plancha rings on the Sizzler and Plancha Fire Pit give a flat 8mm steel searing surface around the fire. Half moon racks cover half the bowl and leave the other half open for logs. See fire pits with BBQ grill and fire pit accessories.
What to burn
Firepits UK suggests charcoal for pits of 60cm or less and well-seasoned logs for larger ones. Burn kiln-dried or seasoned hardwood: it lights easily, burns hotter and makes far less smoke. In England, firewood sold in volumes under 2 cubic metres must be certified Ready to Burn, which means 20% moisture or less.
- Never burn painted, treated or pressure-treated wood, pallets, plastic or household rubbish.
- Never use petrol, paraffin or lighter fluid to start or revive a fire. Use kindling and natural firelighters.
- Do not put river or beach stones in or around the fire: trapped moisture can make them crack or burst. See why rocks explode in a fire.
- Keep logs dry in a covered log store off the ground.
Where to put a fire pit
- The right surface. Gravel, brick or a paving slab. Firepits UK notes that grass underneath may scorch and advises against new paving, which can stain. Never put a fire pit on timber or composite decking: see fire pits on decking and patios.
- Clear of anything that burns. Keep it well away from fences, sheds, hedges, trees and overhanging branches. We suggest at least 3 metres.
- Think about smoke. Check which way the wind usually blows relative to your house and your neighbours. Our guide to why smoke follows you has tips for a cleaner fire.
- Drainage. A bowl that fills with rain turns ash into sludge and speeds up rust. See why fire pit drainage matters.
Using a fire pit safely
- Keep water, sand or a fire blanket nearby, and supervise children and pets at all times.
- Build the fire gradually and keep it a sensible size for the bowl.
- Never leave a fire burning unattended, and make sure it is out before you go to bed. A Firepits UK flat table top lid snuffs the fire when you put it on and leave it.
- Let ash go completely cold before emptying it, ideally the next day, into a metal container.
- Be a good neighbour. Smoke that causes a nuisance can lead to action from your council, so burn dry wood and avoid lighting up when washing is out next door.
Smoke control areas. Government guidance says you can use outdoor barbecues, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces in smoke control areas. Fire pits are not mentioned by name, so burn dry wood and avoid causing a smoke nuisance.
Lids, covers and care
A lid keeps rain, leaves and snow out of the bowl, snuffs the fire and turns the pit into a table. The Firepits UK flat table top lid is 2mm steel, made in six sizes for 50cm to 120cm pits; order the same size as your pit and it overhangs by about 5cm. There is a separate square lid for the Box D, and Firepits UK does not make one for the Legs Eleven. Empty ash regularly, because wet ash holds water against the steel, and leave bare steel to weather naturally.
Why buy your fire pit from us
We are an independent UK online retailer, and most of our fire pits are made by hand in Wales by Firepits UK, alongside Gardeco and Lifestyle. Delivery to England and Wales is free; large fire pits are delivered on a pallet at the kerbside. Contact us with a photo of your garden and we will help you choose a size and spot.
Common questions
What size fire pit do I need?
Firepits UK rates a 50cm pit for up to 4 people, 60cm for 6, 70cm for 8, 80cm for 10, 90cm for 12 and 120cm for 20. Allow space for chairs around it.
Can I put a fire pit on grass?
It is better on gravel, brick or a paving slab. Firepits UK notes that grass underneath may scorch.
Can I put a fire pit on decking?
No. Never use a fire pit on timber or composite decking, which can catch fire or be damaged by heat.
How far should a fire pit be from a fence or house?
Keep it well clear of fences, sheds, hedges, trees and the house. We suggest at least 3 metres.
What is the best wood for a fire pit?
Kiln-dried or well-seasoned hardwood with 20% moisture or less. It lights easily, burns hotter and makes less smoke. Firepits UK suggests charcoal for pits of 60cm or less.
Will my steel fire pit rust?
Yes, bare steel weathers to a rusty patina outdoors. Firepits UK says this is natural and does not affect use. A lid and good drainage slow it down.
Can I cook on a fire pit?
Yes, with a grill, swing arm rack or plancha ring. Many of our fire pits come with one, and racks are also sold separately.
How do I put out a fire pit?
Let it burn down, then fit a lid to starve it of air, or let it burn out completely. Lifestyle warns against using water on the Kaida Traveller because it can damage the pit.
Can I use a fire pit in a smoke control area?
Government guidance allows outdoor barbecues, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces in smoke control areas. Fire pits are not named, so burn dry wood and avoid causing a nuisance.
Can I leave a fire pit out all winter?
Yes. Bare steel will weather, which is normal, but a lid and regular ash clearing keep rain from pooling in the bowl.
Are Firepits UK fire pits made in Britain?
Yes. Firepits UK makes its fire pits by hand at its workshop in Wales, and its newer products are listed as made in Monmouthshire.
Cook on it too
Fire pits with swing arm racks, plancha rings and grills turn an evening by the fire into dinner.