Building a fire pit from scratch sounds simple until you start hunting parts. The seven picks below cover the whole spectrum, from plug-and-play smokeless burners you set on a patio to propane drop-in kits for full custom builds. Each one earns its spot for a clear reason: portable footprint, premium stainless steel, gas-line plumbing, or accessory upgrades.
The Lineup, Simplified
Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 + Stand 27″ Smokeless Fire Pit
Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 15″ Smokeless Fire Pit
Solo Stove Bonfire w/Stand 19.5″ Smokeless Fire Pit
EasyFirePits 316 Stainless Steel Fireplace Log Lighter 24″
ARC Fire Pit Spark Screen 22 Inch with Handle and Poker
EasyFirePits CK Kit Basic DIY Propane Fire Pit Kit
Stanbroil 31 Inch Drop-in Round Fire Pit with Spark Ignition
Taking A Closer Look At The Options
At 27 inches across, the Yukon 2.0 sits at the top of Solo Stove’s smokeless burner family and behaves like the social hub of a patio. The double-walled 304 stainless steel body feeds the airflow from underneath, which is how it pulls in oxygen, superheats it, and burns off most of the smoke before it escapes the rim. The included stand keeps the bottom off decking and gives you enough clearance to slide a storage tray underneath.
You don’t need to build anything here, but it earns a spot on a DIY roundup because it solves the hardest problem: deciding what kind of fire pit you actually want. For homeowners weighing whether to commit to masonry, this is the test drive.
Noteworthy Benefits
- Large 27-inch diameter comfortably seats eight to ten people around the flame
- 304 stainless steel shell with ceramic high-heat coating for long service life
- Stand lifts the pit and protects wood or composite decking from radiant heat
- Ash pan slides out for quick ash disposal without disturbing coals
- Smokeless airflow means fewer teary eyes during long evenings
Things To Consider
- Heaviest unit in this roundup, so moving it across the yard takes two people
- Stainless will tone and patina over time if you skip routine wipe-downs
- Burns wood only, so no swap to propane for cleaner nights
Quick Facts
Made For
Backyard hosts who entertain groups of eight or more and want a ready-to-use centerpiece without committing to a custom masonry build.
Consider Something Else When
Pick the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 instead if your space is smaller or you want a pit you can toss in a trunk for camping trips.
Solo Stove’s Ranger 2.0 is the smallest burner in the lineup, and that is the whole point. At 15 inches, it slips into a car trunk alongside a cooler and a couple of camp chairs, making it a strong match for tailgates, beach weekends, and small balcony evenings. The same 360° airflow system from the bigger pits carries over, so you still get the low-smoke burn.
You won’t be roasting marshmallows for a crowd, but for two to four people on the move, it solves the portable fire problem cleanly.
Everyday Advantages
- Compact 15-inch body fits in most car trunks without rearranging cargo
- Light enough for one person to carry to the spot you want
- Stand keeps the base off grass, sand, or wooden decks
- Burns clean enough for HOA-regulated patios that allow small portable fires
Trade Offs
- Small burn area means shorter burn sessions and more frequent wood refills
- Not the right scale for gatherings beyond four adults
- Stainless steel body still gets hot, so keep kids and pets at a distance
Right Fit For
Campers, tailgaters, and apartment dwellers who want a low-smoke fire they can store in a closet between uses.
Look Elsewhere When
Step up to the Solo Stove Bonfire w/Stand if you need a backyard-ready mid-size flame bed.
The Bonfire hits the middle ground between Ranger portability and Yukon capacity. At 19.5 inches, it pulls in enough airflow for a steady, smoke-controlled flame without hogging patio space. Weighing just over 20 pounds, it still moves with one person and works as the daily driver for couples and small families.
Compared to the Ranger above, you trade a little portability for a meaningfully bigger flame and longer burn sessions between refills. Compared to the Yukon below in the lineup, you keep a manageable footprint without paying for capacity you won’t use.
Notable Upsides
- 19.5-inch diameter seats four to six comfortably around the rim
- Weighs just over 20 pounds for one-person repositioning
- Stand included to protect deck surfaces from heat damage
- Same 360° airflow system as the rest of the Solo Stove family
Honest Caveats
- Still wood-only, so wet wood will fight the airflow design and produce more smoke
- High-heat ceramic coating requires gentle cleaning to avoid wearing through
Feature Snapshot
Built With In Mind
Small families and couples hosting weekly patio nights who want a steady flame without the size of a full Yukon.
Another Choice May Suit
Move up to the Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 + Stand if your guest list regularly runs past six adults.
A log lighter is the part most DIYers never see but always rely on: a drilled gas tube buried under the firewood that ignites the whole stack with one flip of a key valve. EasyFirePits builds theirs from 316 marine-grade stainless steel, the same alloy used on boat hardware, which means serious resistance to chloride corrosion from coastal air or pool-adjacent patios.
This is the burner for someone building a real masonry fireplace or gas-fed log set, not a portable backyard ring. The 24-inch length fits a standard firebox opening, and the company offers shorter and longer versions if your build runs a different size.
What Helps Most
- 316 stainless construction handles coastal and chlorinated environments better than 304
- Drilled gas ports support even ignition across the full 24-inch length
- Available in 6, 24, 36, and 48-inch lengths to match any firebox opening
- Pairs with a standard key-valve gas line for simple on-off control
Points To Note
- Requires a gas line run and proper key-valve installation, which most homeowners sub out
- Not a standalone fire pit; it is a component for a fireplace build
Key Product Details
Who Should Grab It
Homeowners and masons assembling a built-in gas fireplace who want a long-lasting burner component under the firewood.
Skip It When
Pick the EasyFirePits CK Kit Basic DIY Propane Fire Pit Kit instead if you want a self-contained propane build rather than a hardwired gas line.
A spark screen is one of the cheapest ways to make any wood fire safer, and ARC’s 22-inch model handles the job for most round pits in the 22 to 24-inch range. The mesh sits on a heavy-gauge steel frame with a high-temperature paint finish, and the included poker lets you adjust logs without lifting the screen off the pit. It’s an accessory, not a fire pit, but it earns its place in a DIY roundup because every wood burner needs one if kids, pets, or dry decking are nearby.
A Few Highlights
- 22-inch diameter fits most mid-size round fire pits and DIY rings
- Steel mesh stops embers from escaping onto decking or grass
- High-temp paint coating holds up through repeated heating cycles
- Includes a long handle and poker for safe log adjustments
- Light enough to remove one-handed once coals cool
Small Caveats
- Painted finish may discolor or chip after the first season of heavy use
- Mesh catches ash, so plan on tapping it out before each fire
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Anyone burning wood in a residential pit who wants an inexpensive safety upgrade without rewiring anything.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Skip the screen and grab the Solo Stove Bonfire w/Stand if you want a complete pit with its own airflow management already built in.
The CK Kit Basic is the bones of a propane fire pit, not a finished unit. You get the key-valve, gas orifice, and fittings needed to assemble a working burner in a custom enclosure, and you supply the burner ring, propane line, and decorative surround. EasyFirePits offers the kit in several burner sizes, including a 12-inch round burner and a 14-inch trough burner, so you can match the flame bed to the table or enclosure you are building.
This is the right call for someone who wants a clean, controllable flame without committing to a natural gas line.
Everyday Wins
- Modular design pairs with multiple burner shapes and sizes
- Key-valve control gives precise flame adjustment at the pit
- 316 stainless components stand up to outdoor exposure
- Propane setup skips the cost of running a natural gas line
Points To Keep In Mind
- Kit ships without a burner ring, which must be purchased separately
- Requires basic plumbing skills or a contractor for safe assembly
- Propane tank storage and hose routing need to be planned before build day
Feature Card
Best Suited To
DIYers building a propane fire table or portable enclosure who already have a clear sense of the finished dimensions.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Pick the Stanbroil 31 Inch Drop-in Round Fire Pit Kit instead if you want a fully pre-plumbed pan with the ignition system already wired in.
The Stanbroil 31-inch kit is the closest thing on this list to a turnkey gas fire pit. The 31-inch pan houses a pre-installed 24-inch burner ring, and the whole system ships with a spark ignition pilot, gas connections, and drilled ports ready to feed lava rock or fire glass. Rated for high BTU output, it produces a tall, full flame bed that fills a 30-inch-plus enclosure without leaving dead spots.
If the EasyFirePits CK Kit is a blank canvas, this is the pre-stretched frame.
What Stands Out
- Pre-installed burner and gas connections cut hours off the build
- 304 stainless pan and ring resist rust in typical outdoor conditions
- Drilled (not punched) gas ports smooth out the flame pattern
- 31-inch pan diameter suits larger fire tables and masonry enclosures
- Designed to contain fire glass cleanly without media bleed
A Few Limitations
- Spark ignition needs a power source or battery pack nearby for the igniter
- Higher BTU output demands careful clearances from combustible enclosure materials
- Requires a hardwired gas line or plumbed propane drop for installation
At A Glance
Who Will Love This
Contractors and ambitious DIYers building a permanent fire table or masonry feature who want a pre-plumbed core they can drop into a finished enclosure.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
Choose the EasyFirePits CK Kit Basic if you would rather source your own burner and valve and keep the build fully modular.
What Matters Most Before Choosing Do It Yourself Fire Pit Kits
Picking The Right Fuel Type
Wood, propane, and natural gas each create a different ownership experience. Wood pits like the Solo Stove family deliver real crackle and aroma but require dry storage for logs and a routine ash cleanup. Propane kits like the EasyFirePits CK and the Stanbroil drop-in pan offer push-button ignition and zero ash, but you are tied to a tank or a plumbed gas line. Natural gas components like the EasyFirePits log lighter skip the tank but require professional line work and a key valve for safe operation.
Material And Construction Quality
Stainless steel grade matters more than people expect. Most residential fire pit parts use 304 stainless, which handles weather well but can pit in coastal or chlorinated environments. The EasyFirePits pieces use 316 marine-grade stainless, which carries more nickel and resists corrosion longer in harsh conditions. For a backyard several miles from saltwater, 304 is typically enough. For poolside or coastal homes, the 316 upgrade is a meaningful step.
Sizing To Your Space
A 27-inch Yukon is a different object than a 15-inch Ranger in daily use. Big pits throw more heat, seat more people, and need more clearance from structures. Small pits are easier to store and move but cool faster and limit the guest count. Measure your patio or deck before choosing, and leave at least 36 inches of clearance on every side for safe operation.
Matching The Build To Your Skill Level
A drop-in pan kit like the Stanbroil 31-inch arrives pre-plumbed and simplifies the gas side of the build. A modular kit like the EasyFirePits CK Kit Basic leaves more decisions to you and suits someone comfortable with gas fittings. A log lighter is the most technical option and is usually paired with a full masonry fireplace build, often handled by a contractor.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Where Shoppers Go Wrong
The most common mistake in this category is buying a burner ring before confirming the enclosure size. A 24-inch ring inside a 30-inch pan leaves ugly gaps where fire glass settles unevenly, while a 24-inch ring crammed into a 22-inch opening creates a clearance hazard. Measure the inside diameter of your planned enclosure, then choose a burner that leaves a clean 1 to 2-inch lip around the ring.
Another frequent miss is underestimating clearance from combustibles. A propane burner rated for high BTU output throws serious radiant heat, and an enclosure made of standard wood framing can scorch or ignite without proper insulation between the pan and the structure. Use a non-combustible liner or a masonry build when going high-BTU.
What The Higher Tier Buys
Stepping up from a portable wood pit to a stainless gas drop-in adds three things you actually feel in daily use. First, push-button ignition instead of kindling and matches. Second, zero ash cleanup and zero smoke smell on clothing. Third, a much longer service life, since 304 and 316 stainless pans outlast painted steel fire rings by years.
The trade-off is install complexity. A Solo Stove Bonfire is one carry from the garage. A Stanbroil drop-in requires a gas line, an enclosure, and media like lava rock or fire glass to fill the pan. You pay in upfront effort, not recurring dollars, which is why the upgrade pays off most for households that will use the pit weekly rather than a few times a season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a smokeless fire pit?
A smokeless fire pit uses a double-wall design that channels fresh air underneath the fuel, then forces it back up through the flame. The extra oxygen burns off smoke particles and gases before they escape the rim, which is why the Solo Stove family produces far less visible smoke than a standard wood ring.
Can a DIY propane fire pit be used on a wood deck?
Yes, but only with proper heat shielding. A drop-in pan like the Stanbroil 31-inch throws enough radiant heat to damage wood decking if installed directly on the surface. Most installers add a non-combustible base, like a stone slab or cement board, between the pan and the deck for safe operation.
What is the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel?
Both are corrosion-resistant alloys, but 316 contains added molybdenum, which makes it tougher against chlorides and salt. For most inland backyards, 304 is sufficient. For coastal homes, poolside installations, or anywhere exposed to de-icing salts, 316 is the safer long-term choice.
Do log lighters work with any firewood?
Yes, a gas log lighter simply ignites the fuel placed above it. Standard split firewood, ceramic logs, and decorative fire glass all light cleanly from a 24-inch drilled burner. The gas flame only runs long enough to catch the fuel, then you shut the valve and enjoy the wood fire.
How long does a stainless fire pit last outdoors?
With routine cleaning and storage during extreme weather, a 304 stainless pit typically lasts many seasons without structural issues. A 316 stainless component in similar conditions can run even longer, which is why EasyFirePits backs its log lighters and kit components with a lifetime coverage promise.
Closing Remarks
The right fire pit depends less on the brand name and more on how you plan to use it. Portable wood burners like the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 reward flexibility, mid-size stainless pits like the Bonfire hit a comfortable daily balance, and gas drop-in kits like the Stanbroil 31-inch turn a weekend project into a permanent backyard feature. Match the fuel and the footprint to your space, and the rest of the decision follows naturally.