The BioLite FirePit is a product that I've known about for quite some time. Ever since I was first introduced to it at an Outdoor Retailer event several years back, I've wanted to get my hands on one for testing. Recently that finally happened and I've been able to put the FirePit to the test on a few backyard outings while at home under lockdown. Does it live up to the hype? Was it everything I had hoped for after waiting to try one out? If you don't want to read the full review, the short answer is "yes!" and you should buy one. But if you want to know more, there is a lot to talk about with this item.
I'll start off this review by noting that I am a big fan of BioLite. The company makes an eclectic mix of products that are thoughtfully designed, innovative in nature, and a lot of fun to use, either at home or around the campsite. The FirePite fall squarely into all of those categories, and it takes the idea behind a traditional fire pit, turns it on its ear slightly, adds a dose of modern technology, and then throws on some extra features just for good measure.
As the name implies, the FirePit is indeed a fire pit for use in the backyard or while car camping. While it isn't overly large and heavy (19.8 lbs/8.98 kg), it is too much to carry with you into the backcountry, although it would be a lot of fun to use there too. It does have a compact design and comes with folding legs, which makes it easier to transport, which means you could take it to outdoor festivals, the beach, or on other day trips with relative ease. Once at your intended location, chance are you'll find the FirePit will quickly become the center of attention, as its stylish looks and design seem to draw a crowd.
In building the FirePit, BioLite used what is calls "X-Ray Mesh." That's a fitting description of the metal that makes up the bulk of the FirePit's body, as it it allows those catered around it to enjoy the orange glow of the fire and watch the wood inside burn, while still safely containing the flames and the logs. This is a bit unique for a fire pit, as competing models often only offer a minimal look-or none at all-of the burning logs, with just the flames peeking out of the top. Here, every seat in the house gets a good look at the show, which is a huge part of the fun of gathering around a campfire in the first place.
This being a product from BioLite, you can bet that there is some interesting engineering at work. The designers of the FirePit built-in what they call AirJets to help keep the flow of oxygen reaching the interior. In fact, there are 51 of these AirJets, which helps to not only get a fire started more quickly and easily, but helps keep it going too. Those efforts are aided by the inclusion of a battery-operated fan, which not only helps circulate that air, but makes the FirePit almost entirely smokeless. Yep, you read that right. Gathering around a bonfire won't leave you smelling like smoke or constantly shifting around to avoid having it blow into your eyes. This is probably my least favorite thing about a campfire, but here it is practically eliminated altogether.
The fan is powered by a rechargeable USB batter pack with a 10,400 man charge. On its lowest setting it can run for up to 24 hours, keeping your FirePit going constantly, as long as you keep feeding it wood. Higher settings have less of a burn time of course, but are more effective at circulating the air and removing the smoke. The fan can be controlled via a button built onto the side of the unit, or by connecting it with a BioLite app for iOS and Android. That same app works with the company's BaseLantern and is a bit finicky when interfacing with that product. But with the FirePit it worked great every time.
More versatile than some other fire pits, BioLite's model actually comes with a grill grate that allows you to cook over the fire. Sure, you can fire up the gas grill or get the charcoal started, but there is something fun about cooking over a fire. It also happens to provide a unique taste too, which makes burgers, hot dogs, steaks, and other meats taste even more delicious. Throw on some vegetables to roast them up too, and you'll have a full meal. It's quick, easy, and a lot of fun. It also adds a dash of added functionality that you might not get from a typical fire pit.
Priced at $249.95, the FirePit is pricer than a typical mode that you might pick up from your local home decor stores. Considering what it brings to the table however, I feel the price is fully justified. Besides, I've tested some other fire pits recently that didn't offer all of the functionality that this one does, and they were priced at twice as much. This is a premium product, from a reputable brand, that delivers on its promises of improved performance and reduced amounts of smoke. The same can't be said about much of the competition, especially bargain options that sell for less money. All things considered, BioLite is giving us a bargain here, which only becomes more apparent after you use it.
As you can probably tell, I have enjoyed my time with the BioLite FirePit. It is a well made product that brings some innovative ideas to an age-old product. I especially love the smokeless operation of this product, which has made gathering around the fire so much more enjoyable for everyone. The fact that the FirePit looks great, is easy to transport, and can be used to cook a meal are all nice touches too.
Find out more by visiting the BioLite FirePit webpage.
