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Whether you want to keep warm in the garden, decorate the courtyard, or look for a more authentic way of cooking dinner, the outdoor fire pit can meet your needs.

As we spend more time at home, the fire pit is becoming more and more popular. It is very versatile and can add some charm to your garden. But choosing the right type, size and material before investing is crucial.

Use our expert advice to help you choose the best type and brand, discover interesting fire pit ideas, and even learn how to make your own fire pit.

Or, go directly to our guide to using the fire pit.

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For fire pits, there is no one size that fits everyone, so choosing the right type may take time. We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of some of the most popular types of fire pits:

This is exactly what it says on the can—a fire pit in the middle of the table. The center is designed with a fire pit, and there is a table around the fire pit where you can place drinks and food, which is very suitable for people who like to keep warm while socializing.  

The extra space between the pit and the ledge also provides more safety-kids can't get too close-but you still need to be careful not to leave it unattended. If you are under an umbrella or covering, you need to check if there is enough ventilation and the ventilation is high enough so that the flame will not be ignited.

You can get a variety of designs, including coffee tables, dining tables, and high-top tables, which are almost always powered by gas or electricity, but you can also get wood-burning ones. We have listed the brands to buy in the garden furniture buying guide. 

Usually homemade and permanent brick fire pits are structures built from the floor upwards, using fire-resistant bricks, such as the fire-resistant bricks for the interior walls, and surrounded by more decorative bricks. Ordinary bricks cannot be used for interior walls because they will crack at high temperatures. You also need to make sure you have a strong concrete foundation.

Make sure to leave it for about a week before lighting the first fire.

These are fire pits with complex designs that can create picture outlines. Usually made of steel, you can choose various sizes, shapes and designs.

Ideal if you like camping or don’t want to fix a permanent fire pit in your garden. Portable fire pits should be lightweight, have wheels and/or suitcases for easy handling and storage.  

They are usually small and medium-sized and may be cooked with grills. Always try to use a safety screen to prevent burns from flying sparks.

These fire pits are made from drums recycled from washing machines and are perfect for people who want to be creative and save money.

All you need to do is to remove the roller and all plastic parts from the machine, and then secure it to the ground. If you want it to be higher from the ground, you can add legs to it.

For hundreds of years, traditional Kadai fire pits or bowls have been used to keep warm and cook food. Kadai is an Indian word meaning thick, round and deep pot.

They are made of iron, come in various shapes and sizes, and can be used as permanent or portable pits. To keep them in good condition, you should wipe them with oil after each use.

Considering convenience and aesthetics, gas fire pits are usually designed around pebbles, artificial wood or glass, which is impressive.

The fire will be powered by gas and can be opened and closed easily. Although you can get a portable model, a gas fire pit is likely to be a permanent fixture in the garden and it is expensive.

You also need to pay for the extra cost of buying gasoline, and you need to make sure to fill up the gas before entertaining.

If you want something small and portable, the desktop fire pit can be placed directly on the existing surface.

Most will be powered by bioethanol, which means it will not produce smoke and should be easy to open and close. It should also have some type of safety screen or glass surrounding it.

If you are under an umbrella or covering, you need to check whether there is enough ventilation and a high enough position to prevent the flame from being ignited.

If you like to enjoy homemade pizza while relaxing around the fire pit, here is the best pizza oven.

If you buy a fire pit from a store, the size will be predetermined, but no one size fits everyone. The size of your fire pit will depend on the type.

Portable and tabletops are likely to be the smallest options, while fire pit dining tables and gas fire pits are usually larger. However, most brands should offer small, medium and large models.

If you build a brick fire pit yourself, a 90 cm wide fire pit should be enough for smaller parties, and a 1.8 meter wide fire pit (including the surrounding walls) is enough for six to eight people.

The height depends on whether you want to place something on the ledge, but if you really want to feel warm, it should not be more than 50 cm above the ground.

Generally speaking, the larger the pit, the more heat it emits, but other factors can change this, including the material it is made of and the fuel you use to drive it.

Are you decorating your garden? If so, how about adding a hot tub? This is our hot tub buying guide. 

Both general retailers and specialized garden shops offer a wide range of fire pits. To ensure that the fire pit you buy is well-built and safe to use, please only shop online or in-store with trusted sellers. 

Ideally, you can see the fire pit in the store before buying, but if this is not possible, please learn as much as possible about it before investing. 

For more detailed information about safe online shopping and arranging refunds for malfunctioning equipment, please refer to our online shopping recommendations.

The cheapest fire pits are usually made of cast iron or steel and start at around £30. You can find cheap fire pits from online retailers such as Argos, Amazon, and Range.

Some large supermarkets, such as Aldi, Lidl and Asda, have also begun stocking.

Fortunately, for those who want to save money, some of the more affordable materials are also very durable, so you don't need to replace it every year.

But keep in mind that the basic options may not come with safety attachments, such as lids or screens, so you may need to spend a little more on accessories.

Or, if you are good at DIY, you can also try to make it yourself. Both the washing drum and the brick fire pit fit the budget-it gives you the opportunity to be creative. Keep scrolling to see important tips on building a homemade fire pit.

We currently do not test fire pits, but at the time of writing, Homebase, The Range, and John Lewis are the most searched fire pit retailers. So we ask everyone to tell us which are their most popular fire pits. The following are different types and styles selected from these selections.

The naturally oxidized La Hacienda Palamo fire pit will bring a real feel to your garden. 

The simple design will allow a 360-degree view of the fire, and it requires minimal maintenance, if any. 

This affordable powder-coated steel fire basket from Homebase looks slightly different from most models on the market. 

Painted black and designed for burning wood, it feels very real in your garden, but you need to be aware that it will smoke and you need to be careful of embers. 

This relatively expensive steel chiminea-style fire pit has a chimney that pushes most of the smoke upward, and its three legs provide a strong base.

It is designed to burn wood, not coal or natural gas, and you will not be able to cook on this fire pit. 

This low steel industrial fire pit will provide a 360-degree wood burning fire. 

It has three feet and handles and can be moved around in the garden. If you want, you can cook on it. 

Over time, the steel will oxidize naturally and does not require much maintenance. 

If you are convenient and prefer to make your own fire pit, here are some important tips:

Lawsons provides a step-by-step guide on how to build your own fire pit. Or you can go to Wicks to watch a video on how to make your own fire pit.

If you want to keep yourself warm while relaxing in the garden, but don't like fire pits-here are some other outdoor heating options to try.

Chimineas are front-mounted freestanding fireplaces with round bottoms and vertical chimneys. Usually made of clay, cast iron or steel, you can get them in various sizes, or you can choose a model that can be used for cooking.

Compared with the fire pit, the width of Chimineas is usually smaller, but much higher. The surrounding walls provide more safety because they can control the fire while maintaining heat and transporting smoke upwards instead of outwards like a fire pit.

However, most fire pits will give you a full 360-degree view and allow you to start a fire.

Terrace heaters are driven by gas or electricity and come in various shapes and sizes. You can also find heaters suitable for every budget.

If safety is the top priority, outdoor heaters should give you more peace of mind. They should be equipped with grills and screens to shield the heat. If they are overheated, they will automatically turn off, and if the flame goes out, they will turn off the gas. In addition, there is no need to worry about ashes and embers.

You will also get instant heating and some also provide temperature control.

But patio heaters will not provide the same experience as fire pits or chiminea, and you cannot cook with them.

Want to reduce energy costs? Which one is used now to compare the price of natural gas and electricity? Switch, our independent energy comparison website.

No outdoor heater is "good" for the environment. Unfortunately, a blanket or an extra sweater is the only truly environmentally friendly way to keep warm in the garden.

In terms of energy efficiency and the amount of carbon dioxide they emit, gas-fired terrace heaters are one of the worst. They are also very expensive.

The fire pit and chimineas are not very good either. In fact, according to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), although air quality in the UK has improved significantly in the past few decades, the burning of solid fuels (such as coal and wood) in our homes is the largest Contributor to harmful particulate matter (PM) emissions.

This is because when wood burns it releases harmful pollutants, such as small particles called PM2.5. These tiny particles are easily inhaled and enter the bloodstream.

Wet logs and indoor coal will release higher levels of PM, so if you still want to invest in a fire pit, always burn the wood dry.

Are wood-burning stoves harmful to the environment? Our guide covers everything you need to know about stoves and pollution.

We selected these retailers and fire pits based on popular search terms in the UK, availability, and popularity that retailers told us. Prices are as of August 18, 2020, and are obtained from the manufacturer’s own website if possible; otherwise, they are obtained from third-party retailers listed on Google Shopping.