How Do Smokeless Fire Pits Work and What Are Their Benefits for Your Backyard

What Is a Smokeless Fire Pit

Smokeless fire pits burn wood so efficiently that hardly any smoke is given off. They’re usually made from metal such as stainless steel, because that doesn’t burn easily.

There are various types of smokeless fire pit out there to choose from, including those that burn wood pellets, propane or natural gas. Some even let you cook food over the fire, and all are suitable for use in your backyard all year round.

How it works

Before tackling how smokeless fire pits work, first, let’s talk about what causes smoke. To burn at its hottest, fire needs oxygen, heat and fuel. Smoke occurs when firewood isn’t burning hot enough and the wood doesn’t fully ignite and combust. Knowing the science has enabled the design of fire pits that give off low to no smoke. They do it by:

Controlling the flow of air through the fire pit, which helps ensure the fuel burns as hot as possible generating less smoke, if any.

Including an inner and outer wall in the design of the firepit. This is key to eliminating smoke. The outer wall prevents heat escaping and keeps the outer surface of the firepit safe to the touch. The inner wall draws in cool air and channels it to the fire chamber. This free flow of air keeps the temperature of the fire as hot as possible, and that means less smoke.

Using a second combustion system, which burns off any smoke that might escape from the fire, creating cleaner burning and less ash.

How you light your fire also helps with smokeless burning, whether you’re using wood, natural gas or propane. Heat levels need to get as high as possible as quickly as possible to reduce smoke emissions. And fire pits are designed to get the temperature up, fast.

How Safe Are Smokeless Fire Pits

How do low smoke fire pits work safely? Naturally, anything that burns needs to be treated with care and respect. But by using common sense and following the instructions provided by your smokeless fire pit manufacturer, you can enjoy smokeless firepits safely.

• Keep Objects Away

Just like you need to avoid covering the heaters in your house, you need to keep objects away from fire pits. They burn hotter than other fires, so be sure there’s nothing flammable above or near them that could risk catching fire, such as overhanging tree branches or roofing.

• Always Attended

As with any source of heat, you should never leave it unattended, and you should always monitor pets and children if they are in your backyard while your firepit is lit. It’s always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher or bucket of water within easy reach to tackle any emergencies.

• Safe to Touch

The design of smokeless fire pits means that the transfer of heat to the outer surface of the heater is reduced, so it’s safe to touch the outer shell without getting burnt.

Do Smokeless Fire Pits Generate More Heat Compared to Traditional Fire Pits

We’ve already established that the wood in smokeless fire pits burns hotter than regular fire pits. But here’s the rub – you’re not likely to feel the extra benefit from this, as smokeless fire pits direct heat upwards, not outwards.

Most people buy smokeless fire pits for the benefits that are inherent in the name – the lack of smoke they emit. They’re not likely to be your ideal purchase if you are looking for a firepit that generates the most heat. However, they will generate plenty of heat for you to enjoy snug times gathered around the fire, with that added ‘smokeless’ benefit.

How A Smokeless Fire Pit Benefits Your Backyard

Have your neighbours been moaning about the smoke your regular fire pit emits? Going smokeless will put a stop to that, ensuring you can invite guests to your backyard gatherings without anyone having to worry about smoke getting into lungs, onto clothes or over the neighbours’ fence.

Some smokeless fire pits also let you cook food, so a smokeless BBQ in your backyard gives your neighbours even fewer reasons to complain. And guests will get their food quicker thanks to the higher heat levels these fire pits generate – just remember to shorten your cooking times!

The modern design of smokeless fire pits will also lend a smart appearance to your backyard set-up, which is sure to attract compliments from friends, family and maybe even those neighbours – assuming you ever invite them over!