A smokeless fire pit is a wood-burning pit built to burn its own smoke. Air is pulled in low, heated as it travels through the walls or legs of the pit, and released near the top of the fire, where it ignites the unburned gases and particles that would otherwise drift into your face as smoke. The result is a cleaner, hotter flame once the fire is going, but not a fire with zero smoke. Below: how it works, where it falls short, and how our smokeless models compare.
How do smokeless fire pits work?
Smoke is mostly fuel that did not finish burning. In an ordinary fire ring, gases released by the wood rise out of the flame before they get enough heat and oxygen to burn. A smokeless design adds a second supply of hot air at the top of the fire to finish the job. Manufacturers call this secondary combustion, and it has three parts:
- Bottom air intake. Holes or a raised floor feed primary air under the fuel. Sunstone describes its StarBBQ inserts as having an elevated base that “allows primary airflow beneath the fire.”
- A channel that preheats air. Some of the incoming air is routed through a double wall or through hollow legs, where the heat of the fire warms it on the way up. YardCraft explains on its product page for The Forge that air enters through protected holes in the base and through the hollow legs, becomes superheated as it rises, and exits right under the top ring.
- Top holes for the second burn. That hot air jets out of a ring of holes near the rim, mixes with the smoke coming off the fire, and ignites it. YardCraft says this secondary burn nearly eliminates visible fumes, and lists internal fire temperatures of up to 1,500°F.
Sunstone sums up the same idea for its StarBBQ 24 inch Smokeless Fire Pit Grill: cool air enters the base, heats up, and reburns the smoke.
Are smokeless fire pits really smokeless?
Not completely, and the honest manufacturers say “nearly” or “virtually” smokeless. Expect smoke in these situations:
- At lighting. Secondary combustion only works once the walls are hot enough to preheat the air. Sunstone’s listing for its 48 inch insert package says the design reburns smoke particles within 15 to 20 minutes, so plan on a smoky warm-up.
- With wet or green wood. Moisture cools the fire and produces steam and smoke no matter what pit you use.
- When overloaded. Stacking wood above the top air holes buries the jets that do the second burn. Keep the fuel below the holes.
- When airflow is blocked. An insert sitting flat on dirt or ash cannot breathe. Sunstone recommends raising its 48 inch insert 1 to 2 inches on gravel or pavers.
Wood choice matters more than the pit
The EPA’s Burn Wise guidance on best wood-burning practices says to burn only dry, split, well-seasoned wood, to season it for at least six months, and that wood burns best at a moisture content under 20 percent, which you can check with an inexpensive moisture meter.
The same EPA guidance lists what not to burn: household trash, cardboard, painted, coated or pressure-treated wood, plywood, particle board, and wet, rotted or moldy wood.
Check local rules and burn bans first
A smokeless pit is still a wood fire. EPA’s page on backyard recreational fires notes that some local governments restrict them, advises against burning on air quality alert days, and notes that people with asthma, COPD or heart disease can be sensitive to wood smoke. Check with your city or fire district and your HOA before you buy. If wood fires are banned or a family member is sensitive to smoke, talk with your doctor and look at gas instead; our guide to propane vs natural gas fire pits covers the fuel choice.
Smokeless fire pit insert vs standalone pit
A smokeless fire pit insert is a steel ring that drops inside a stacked-stone or block fire pit. It suits you if you already have a masonry pit or plan to build one from retaining wall blocks. Sunstone’s 36 and 48 inch StarBBQ inserts ship as a 4-piece flat pack that the listings say assembles in under 10 minutes, and they are made of cold-rolled steel with a high-temperature powder coat.
A standalone smokeless fire pit sits on its own base and can move. Sunstone’s 24 inch StarBBQ base is listed in 304 stainless steel on a triangular base and can also drop into an outdoor kitchen countertop. YardCraft’s Urban Fire pits collapse for storage or travel.
Smokeless fire pit vs gas fire pit
A smokeless pit gives you a real wood fire you can cook over, with much less smoke once it is hot. A gas fire pit lights and shuts off with a knob and leaves no embers or ash. For ambiance without fire tending, start with our fire pit buying guide.
Smokeless fire pits we carry, compared
| Model | Type | Size | Material (per listing) | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StarBBQ 24 inch Base Platform | Standalone or drop-in | 24 in diameter, approx. 45 lbs | 304 stainless steel | $499 |
| StarBBQ 24 inch Base with Base Rim and ExGrate | Standalone with grill grate | 24 in diameter | 304 stainless with powder coat | $674 |
| StarBBQ 24 inch Smokeless Fire Pit Grill (dual swing-out grills) | Portable pit and grill | 24 in | Powder-coated steel and 304 stainless | $1,071 |
| StarBBQ 24 inch with Smoker Hood and ExGrate | Pit, grill and smoker | 24 in diameter, approx. 75 lbs | 304 stainless with powder coat | $1,264 |
| StarBBQ 36 inch Insert | Insert | 36 in diameter, approx. 55 lbs | Powder-coated cold-rolled steel | $329 |
| StarBBQ 36 inch Insert Package | Insert with two swivel grills | 36 in diameter | Powder-coated cold-rolled steel | $708 |
| StarBBQ 48 inch Insert | Insert | 48 in diameter, approx. 65 lbs | Powder-coated cold-rolled steel | $429 |
| StarBBQ 48 inch Insert Dual Grill Package | Insert with two swivel grills | 48 in diameter, approx. 75 lbs | Powder-coated cold-rolled steel | $808 |
| YardCraft The Forge | Collapsible standalone | Inside diameter almost 30 in | Not stated | $995 |
Prices are as listed at the time of writing. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight; below that, shipping is a flat $200. You can browse every model in the Sunstone StarBBQ lineup, including add-on rims and grates.
Can you cook on a smokeless fire pit?
Yes, and that is the main appeal of the StarBBQ system. The 24 inch base accepts quick-mount rims: a base rim with the diamond-grid ExGrate for direct grilling, raised griddle and searing inserts, a hand-crank Santa Maria rim for adjusting grate height, and a smoker hood with chimney and warming rack. The 36 and 48 inch insert packages add short-post and tall-post swivel grills for searing low or cooking at standing height. YardCraft offers an adjustable swivel grill and The Blade searing attachment for its pits.
Let the fire get past its smoky warm-up before grilling, and pick a sheltered spot on breezy nights; our fire pit wind guard guide explains when a guard helps.
Which smokeless fire pit should you buy?
- You have a stone fire pit: the 36 or 48 inch insert, matched to your ring’s inside diameter.
- You want a movable pit to grill on: a 24 inch base with rim and grate.
- You also want to smoke: the 24 inch with smoker hood.
- You want a big collapsible fire: YardCraft The Forge.
Questions about fit or accessories? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. See our return and refund policy before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Do smokeless fire pits produce any smoke?
Some, mainly during the first 15 to 20 minutes, with damp wood, or when wood is stacked above the top holes.
What is the best wood for a smokeless fire pit?
Dry, split, seasoned hardwood or kiln-dried firewood. EPA Burn Wise guidance recommends wood under 20 percent moisture, seasoned at least six months.
Can I put a smokeless fire pit insert in any fire pit?
The StarBBQ inserts are made for standard stacked-stone or block fire pits. Measure the inside diameter and leave airflow room underneath.
Is a smokeless fire pit allowed during a burn ban?
Usually not. Most burn bans cover all wood fires regardless of design. Rules for gas fire pits can differ, so ask your local fire authority.
