BioLite FirePit+ Review: Smokeless Flames Plus BBQ On the Go
The BioLite FirePit+ gives you all the thrills of a portable campfire, without the smoke and mess.
As a perpetual truck camper, I find myself weighing the pros and cons of a campfire a lot. Most times, in light of the hassle or risk of a ground fire, I layer up and opt out.
The new FirePit+ ($250) tips the scale toward the pros. Lots of pros. Its well-enclosed design, battery-enhanced airflow, easily cleanable finish, and ability to host a killer BBQ have transformed my fire life in the best of ways. Here’s why.
In short: BioLite’s FirePit+ has a lot going for it, so much so that it was worth follow-up testing to see how much it differs from the original 2017 model. The materials, mesh walls, and battery pack all saw improvements. On top of that, its capability to serve two functions — toasty fire for warmth and streamlined grill for cooking — means you really can’t go wrong.
BioLite FirePit+: Safer and More Convenient
Flying embers seldom penetrate the FirePit+’s new mesh walls. And paired with the optional BBQ lid, it’s easy to keep a fire safely contained without suffocating it. That allows me to host one on the deck of my sailboat (see below), at my tailgate, and in areas where I otherwise wouldn’t feel comfortable having a fire.
At 27 inches long, 13 inches wide, and around 20 pounds, the legs fold up to make it small and light for transporting but large enough to hold a quality-size fire.
Also, the carrying handles don’t get too hot, which helps with putting it out or repositioning the pit while in use. Clean-up is easy thanks to an ash port in the base with a removable door.
‘Smokeless’ Fire
The BioLite FirePit+’s mesh walls also work to block out wind and weather. Once the fire is lit, the pit’s simple aeration system makes it easy to control and keep alive by piping air through strategically positioned ports beneath the fuel rack.
Its battery attachment powers a fan with four modes — modes 2 and 3 for a roaring fire, 4 for a quick burst to reignite a dying flame, and 1 for keeping a slow-burner burning smoothly.
The aeration system feeds the fire ample oxygen, which makes for a hotter fire and, in turn, less smoke and less smell clinging to my clothes.
While it’s not an entirely smoke-free experience, the added airflow makes a drastic difference. If you’re burning clean, dry fuel, smoke virtually disappears at full roar.
Plot Twist: It’s Also a BBQ
The ability to quickly and easily go from pit to skillet really ties the room together. The unit comes with a grill grate and works well with charcoal or wood, making for an easy-to-use hibachi-style grill.
But the 2017 model already had a grill grate, you may be saying to yourself. And you’re right. But its BBQ capabilities weren’t nearly as honed as they are on this model.
BioLite offers optional cooking accessories, including a cast-iron griddle, a BBQ lid, and a tool kit with a knife, tongs, spatula, and carrying case. For me, the only thing that beats the post-ski parking lot fire is a post-ski parking lot BBQ.
And the FirePit+ does it well. It’s the hit of the campsite. Or the parking lot. Or the beach BBQ. Last time I used it, we made fajitas for lunch in the parking lot of my ski hill between hot laps.
BioLite FirePit+ Final Notes
Cons
The smoke doesn’t magically disappear as advertised, but the airflow does help minimize it drastically once the fire gets going.
Also, the door on the ash port in the unit’s base fully detaches and can shake loose during travel. This made a mess for me once, but it was my fault for not cleaning out the ash before stowing the unit in my truck.
A Note on the Battery
Biolite says the battery lasts 30 hours on low, 14 hours on medium, and 7 hours on high. But because I tested a pre-production model, I’m unable to verify. That said, the battery even got low on me, and I’ve left it running overnight and in the rain on multiple occasions.
The pack has a USB port for charging other devices. It’s powered via a micro-USB port that sits on the side next to the light-up battery indicator and mode gauge.
Upgrades
The BioLite FirePit+ isn’t a far cry from the original FirePit, but it does feature a few key upgrades. First off, the mesh holes integrated into the body design are larger, enabling the unit to radiate more heat.
It’s also coated in a new, high-temperature enamel for durability and easy cleaning. And the unit runs off a 12,800 mAh battery as opposed to the previous version’s 10,400 mAhs for longer run times.
But the real upgrade is in the new optional cooking accessories, particularly the skillet and lid. These are game-changers for quality grilling.
And, as mentioned, the grill lid also comes in handy for containing a wily fire. At $250, the FirePit+ is hard to beat for a portable fire pit.
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If you’re looking for a similar option, the Solo Stove Bonfire is another likable smokeless fire pit, albeit less portable.
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