This Best-Selling “Smokeless” Fire Pit Is the Only Way I’m Grilling from Now On

published Jul 10, 2024
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Credit: Brooke Fitts

Truth be told, I’m not much of a grill master. I typically let someone else handle the cooking while I take care of cleaning my plate. However, I love the overall experience of a cookout with family and friends in good spirits enjoying good food. That being said, since it’s the summer and I’m now at the age when I’m supposed to be carrying on the family gatherings, it’s got me thinking about grilling more often. Does it mean I’ll actually start cooking outdoors regularly? Probably not, but I figured it was a good time to at least try one that I’d actually use on my own. I can’t imagine myself using a big Weber grill like my dad or a Big Green Egg like my brother, but I did manage to find one that I loved as soon as I learned about it: the BioLite FirePit+.

Quick Overview

A Quick Look at the BioLite Firepit+

  • Burns wood and charcoal
  • Smokeless mesh design
  • Flames can be controlled manually or via app
  • Integrated air fan can stoke flames for up to 30 hours
  • Features carry handles and foldable legs 
  • Includes grill plate, fuel rack, and rechargeable USB power pack
  • Measures 27” x 13” x 15.8” and weighs 19.8 pounds

Design Features That Stand Out

The compact yet substantial design of BioLite’s FirePit+ immediately sets it apart from other fire pits of a similar size. According to BioLite, the FirePit+ is meant to “mimic the campfire experience” by offering users the option to burn either wood or charcoal at will, depending on if you prefer wood fire or hibachi-style grilling. Its mesh-sided body allows heat to radiate outward rather than solely upward, and the rechargeable power pack assists in flame control when needed. Additionally, it can be used as a power bank when outdoors.

The FirePit+ comes with a fuel rack that can be loaded up to the top for long-term burning. It also comes with a grill grate for easy cooking, however, BioLite offers additional accessories, including a carrying case (highly recommended), grill cover, and pre-seasoned cast iron griddle. Great for gifting, the FirePit+ is best for the backyard or beach, camping, tailgating, and more.

Credit: Britt Franklin

How It Performed

As I said before, I am not normally the one who grills at home, neither by choice nor necessity. However, the BioLite FirePit+ makes it so easy that I feel the urge to avoid it. For starters, it’s a compact, space-saving fire pit, so it’s not intimidating. I love being able to choose between charcoal and wood, and as it turns out, the FirePit+ really is great for that at-home campfire experience! Thanks to its smokeless design, my family could sit comfortably around it as we talked, grilled, made s’mores, and more. It didn’t hurt that the drumsticks we grilled on the FirePit+ for the Fourth of July were some of the best-tasting chicken I’ve had in years. It was so satisfyingly crisp on the outside!

Once we were done grilling with charcoal, we added firewood to it and spent the rest of the afternoon roasting marshmallows. Because there was a decent amount of wind outside, we didn’t use the fan as much, but I could definitely see its benefit since. In fact, the fan helped to get the fire started when we switched from charcoal to wood in the first place!

Credit: Britt Franklin

What I Loved

  • Wood and Charcoal Capabilities: Being able to choose between charcoal and wood at a moment’s notice is a game-changing feature in my book. I can go from grilling barbecue with charcoal to a s’mores-ready fire in a blink.
  • Controllable Fan Speeds: I haven’t had to use the fan very much due to the wind outside, but being able to run a fan to keep the fire going up to 30 hours is a ingenious feature.
  • Dual-purpose Power Pack: The rechargeable Power Pack that controls the fan on the FirePit+ can also be used as an emergency power bank to charge your devices.

Good to Know

The free Bluetooth app that can be used with this fire pit is not available for Android devices at this time.

Should You Buy the BioLite FirePit+?

Although the FirePit+ is great for grilling newbies and experts alike, I’d especially recommend it those who are looking for a grill that’s:

  • Small space-friendly
  • Highly portable
  • Great for camping, tailgating, and the outdoors

Where to Buy the BioLite FirePit+

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