There are a lot of wood fuel options out there, but most wood burning appliances accommodate either wood pellets or wood logs. And even among those two types of fuel, there are several varieties to choose from.

You’re probably at least decently familiar with firewood, especially if you own a fireplace, a fire pit, a wood stove, or a wood furnace. Pellets, on the other hand, may be less familiar.

So which one should you use, and in which appliances? Can some appliances accommodate both? And what kind of burn time can you expect out of each fuel?

At HY-C, we make appliances that utilize both fuels, and we even produce our own pellet fuel. And we want to answer any and all questions you may have about pellets and logs.

By the end of this comprehensive guide, you’ll understand the differences between wood pellets and firewood logs. You’ll know what varieties of each fuel are available, which appliances accommodate each fuel, how much smoke each one puts out, and much more.

More importantly, you’ll know whether your wood burning appliance should use wood pellets or logs so you end up with the best wood burning experience possible.

Wood Pellets vs. Logs: Varieties

Pellets

Wood pellets are used for two purposes: heating and barbecuing. Barbecuing pellets are made to be burned in wood smokers or grills to season meat, enhancing its flavor. Common types of wood pellets used for flavoring include:

• Apple
• Cherry
• Hickory
• Maple
• Mesquite
• Pecan

Heating pellets, on the other hand, consist either of hardwood pellets or softwood pellets. Hardwood pellets are denser and tend to burn for a longer time as a result. Softwood pellets, by contrast, burn hotter, putting out more BTUs (British thermal units).

Logs

There are several types of firewood, and if you asked ten wood burning experts the best species of wood to burn, you may get ten different answers. Very generally, though, common varieties of firewood species found throughout the United States include:

• Oak
• Black locust
• Maple
• Ash
• Walnut
• Elm
• Birch

Like pellets, firewood can be broken out into hardwood and softwood. Hardwood logs are more dense than softwood logs. Most experts agree that hardwood is better wood to burn, as it burns longer and hotter than softwood. Hardwood entails a higher price as a result, though.

Wood Pellets vs. Logs: Appliances

Pellets

There are quite a few appliances made to burn wood pellets.

Pellet grills allow you to cook meat using wood pellets as fuel instead of charcoal. These grills utilize barbecuing pellets (instead of heating pellets) to flavor food. They’re designed to burn pellets only; they’re not compatible with firewood.

You’re probably familiar with wood burning stoves, but there are also pellet stoves on the market designed to burn wood pellets rather than logs. These stoves radiate heat into the room in which they’re set up, providing warmth during the fall and winter months.

Most wood burning furnaces on the market are designed to burn logs, but there are some pellet furnaces out there. These furnaces tend to burn more cleanly and efficiently than their log-burning counterparts, but they are often much more expensive.

Finally, there are pellet fire pits engineered to burn wood pellets (though most models can also burn logs with no issue). These pellet fire pits are smokeless, leaning on both the pellet fuel and the fire pit’s airflow system to eliminate smoke byproducts.

Logs

There’s certainly no shortage of appliances that burn logs.

Fireplaces are one of the most common. Whether homeowners use them for warmth or just ambiance, fireplaces have been around for hundreds of years. Most fireplaces feature a grate that holds the wood as it burns, allowing air to flow underneath the logs to keep the fire lit.

Another tried-and-true home heating appliance, wood stoves have been around for centuries, too. They predate their pellet counterparts, but they work the same way, radiating heat into whichever room in which they’re installed.

While smokeless pellet fire pits are catching on in popularity, they’re yet to overshadow the classic wood fire pit. Many backyards across the country feature either a homemade or store-bought fire pit to provide some extra warmth during fall and winter outdoor gatherings.

Finally, wood burning furnaces act as a viable central heating alternative in place of a gas or electric furnace. Firewood burns continuously in the firebox while a distribution blower pushes warm air from the furnace, into the air ducts, and throughout the rest of the home.

Wood Pellets vs. Logs: Smoke Output

Pellets

Have you ever wondered why fire produces smoke? The answer is moisture content. Trees survive and thrive on water, and when they’re cut into firewood, logs retain much of that moisture. A log can contain 50% or more of its weight in water. That results in a lot of smoke.

Pellets are made of compressed sawdust, so they contain much less moisture than logs. Wood pellets typically have moisture levels of just 5% to 10%. This means that when they’re burned, they tend to produce very little — if any — smoke.

Logs

Do logs give off more smoke than pellets?

The answer is, “It depends.” Even wood that appears dry can have a high moisture content, which will result in a lot of smoke (you can use a moisture meter to test the moisture content of a piece of firewood).

Ideally, firewood should have a moisture content below 20%. Seasoning freshly cut firewood involves splitting it, stacking it, covering it, and storing it. In order to achieve that twenty-percent-or-lower threshold, firewood needs to sit for about 6 to 12 months before use.

Getting your logs’ moisture content down won’t necessarily eliminate smoke entirely. But low moisture will help to mitigate smoke, making for a better burning experience.

Wood Pellets vs. Logs: Burn Time

Pellets

Wood pellets — even dense hardwood pellets — tend to burn up quickly. If you fill a pellet fire pit with about ten pounds of pellets, those pellets will burn for perhaps 15 or 20 minutes before you need to add more to the fire.

Using pellets, you’ll end up with a smoke-free experience and a very efficient fire, but you will have to babysit it quite a bit, adding more fuel relatively often. Be sure to add more pellets slowly, as too many at once will snuff the fire out.

Logs

You’ll get much longer burn times out of firewood compared to pellets. If you start a fire in a fire pit with four logs, you may need to add a new log every 30 to 40 minutes to keep the fire going (that time will vary depending on which species of wood you use and its moisture content).

Using firewood, you’ll likely wind up with more smoke than with pellet fuel. But you won’t have to keep as close an eye on the fire, freeing you up to do other things.

Should You Use Wood Pellets or Logs?

Choosing the right wood fuel can be confusing. Given the differences between pellets and logs, the different types of pellets and logs available, and different species of wood, it can be hard to keep it all straight.

You may be wondering at this point, “Which fuel should I use?”

To answer that question, start with your appliance. A pellet grill is made specifically for pellets, while a wood burning furnace is made just for logs. Fire pits can often accommodate either, so that’s left to your discretion.

After deciding whether you need pellets or logs, choose between hardwood (if you want a longer burn) or softwood (if you’re looking for a hotter burn).

And whatever fuel type you decide to use, always be sure to follow good fire safety habits. Keep a watchful eye on your fire and keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case things get out of control. This way, you’ll enjoy the comfort of the fire while keeping your home — and everything in it — safe.

Smokeless fire pits are becoming more and more popular with each passing cold season. These cleverly-designed heating devices utilize a unique, double-walled airflow system to burn away smoke particles, greatly reducing (and even eliminating) smoke from your outdoor wood burning experience.

As great as smokeless fire pits are, there are several models on the market today, and that can make it tough to know which one to buy.

There are a lot of questions to consider: what type of wood fuel do these fire pits burn? To what extent are they customizable? How much do they cost?

At HY-C, we know a lot about smokeless fire pits; in fact, we manufacture one. And we want to share what we know about them with you to help you find the perfect smokeless fire pit.

In this guide, we’re going to consider five top-selling smokeless fire pits on the market today. By the time you’re done here, you’ll know everything you need to know about each model, from their material to how much they cost — and everything in between.

And though we make one of the fire pits on this list — the Flame Genie Inferno — we’re going to remain as objective as possible to help you find the right smokeless fire pit for you.

So, in no particular order, here are the top five smokeless fire pits on the market today.

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 at a glance:

• Price: $224.99
• Diameter: 19.5”
• Height: 14”
• Weight: 23.3 pounds
• Material: Stainless steel
• Suggested fuel: Firewood

Solo Stove is without a doubt the most popular smokeless fire pit brand around today, and their Bonfire 2.0 is their best-reviewed model by far. It’s available in eight different colors, and you can even get one personalized with your favorite NFL or college football team’s logo.

So, what puts the “2.0” in “Bonfire 2.0”? Solo Stove added a new, removable base plate and ash pan, making clean up a lot easier than earlier iterations. You just lift the pan out after your fire has cooled and dump out the ashes.

Each Bonfire 2.0 comes with a carrying case for easy transportation, and you can even purchase one with a stand for just a few dollars more.

Breeo X19

The Breeo X19 at a glance:

• Price: $399
• Diameter: 22”
• Height: 14.75”
• Weight: 47 pounds
• Material: Stainless steel and corten steel
• Suggested fuel: Firewood

The Breeo X19 features a unique corten steel construction that gives it a rugged, industrial feel. At 47 pounds, it’s the heaviest smokeless fire pit on this list, but for good reason: each Breeo fire pit is durably made in the USA in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

All smokeless fire pits utilize airflow in the base to help eliminate smoke, but Breeo models feature a raised, X-shaped bridge in the bottom that gives the line its name.

While the corten steel offers a distinctive look, those who prefer the full stainless steel presentation will be happy to know that a fully stainless option is available for an additional $85.

Blue Sky The Improved Peak Smokeless Patio Fire Pit

The Blue Sky Improved Peak Smokeless Patio Fire Pit at a glance:

• Price: $249.99
• Diameter: 21.6”
• Height: 16”
• Weight: 35.27 pounds
• Material: Powder-coated steel
• Suggested fuel: Firewood or wood pellets

Blue Sky’s improved smokeless fire pit is the first fire pit on this list that claims dual-fuel capabilities — either firewood or wood pellets. You can also get your favorite NFL or NHL team logo engraved on one (and even the U.S. Army logo, if you feel inclined).

But what’s so “improved” about Blue Sky’s smokeless fire pit? Like Solo Stove, they added a lift-out ash catch and grate to make cleaning easier. They also extended the bezel on the top of the fire pit to promote air flow, and they even raised the burn chamber to enhance the fire pit’s secondary burn capability.

It also features a unique, twelve-sided rim and faceted body, daring to go beyond the cylindrical look of the four other fire pits on this list.

Duraflame Stainless Steel Low Smoke Fire Pit

The Duraflame Stainless Steel Low Smoke Fire Pit at a glance:

• Price: $215.79
• Diameter: 19”
• Height: 15.5”
• Weight: 22 pounds
• Material: 304 & 202 stainless steel
• Suggested fuel: Firewood

You probably know Duraflame for their Firelogs and Firestarters. Turns out they make a pretty good smokeless fire pit, too; their Stainless Steel Low Smoke Fire Pit features both 304 and 202 stainless steel in its construction to resist corrosion and rust.

Duraflame’s smokeless fire pit also includes a removable ring, grate, and ash pan for easy cleaning.

It’s also the lightest fire pit on this list. Weighing in at just 22 pounds, it’s ultra-portable — great if you’re planning on taking your fire pit on a trip (a carrying bag is available to purchase separately, too).

Flame Genie Inferno

The Flame Genie Inferno at a glance:

• Price: $171.99
• Diameter: 19”
• Height: 16.25”
• Weight: 23 pounds
• Material: Powder-coated galvanized steel
• Suggested fuel: Wood pellets

Rounding out our list of the best smokeless fire pits of the year is our own Flame Genie Inferno. The Flame Genie comes in two parts — the base and the combustion chamber. Both portions stack on top of each other during use, and they fit into each other between use for easy storage and transportation.

This two-part design makes for easy cleaning, too. Ashes fall into the base, which can be removed and taken away for disposal after the fire is out.

The Inferno utilizes wood pellets for fuel, ensuring a continuously smoke-free experience. Aside from the Breeo X19, the Flame Genie Inferno is the only smokeless fire pit on this list to be made in the USA. Each model is made in our factory in St. Louis, Missouri.

Which Smokeless Fire Pit Should You Get?

With so many smokeless fire pits on the market today, it can be hard to find the right one to buy. We’ve presented five here, but those are just a sampling. There are dozens of great options to choose from.

So which one should you get?

The best thing to do is to consider how you plan on using your smokeless fire pit, and find one with the features that best match what you want.

Is portability important to you? If so, it may be best to choose a lightweight model. Maybe you prefer a model made in America? Or maybe price is your most important consideration?

Either way, be sure to compare what’s out there until you find the smokeless fire pit that fits your needs. Putting in the time and research now ensures you’ll wind up with a bright, warm outdoor companion that will keep you comfortable for many falls and winters to come.

A smokeless fire pit provides a warm, relaxing way to enjoy a cold fall or winter evening. These cleverly designed products allow you to sit comfortably around a fire without having to deal with troublesome, irritating clouds of smoke blowing in every direction.

If you’re considering getting a smokeless fire pit, the question naturally follows: which one should I buy?

With so many makes and models on the market today, it can be tough to narrow down your choices. But in this guide, we’re going to help you do just that.

We’ll compare two smokeless fire pit manufacturers: Solo Stove and Flame Genie. We’ll go through the models each manufacturer offers, how those models are designed, the fuel each model utilizes, and how much each model costs.

Before we get going, a quick disclaimer: at HY-C, we manufacture Flame Genie smokeless fire pits. Despite that, we’re going to keep this comparison as objective as possible, pointing out only the tangible specifications of each smokeless fire pit model.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have an in-depth understanding of each smokeless fire pit manufacturer. Armed with that information, you’ll be able to make the best buying decision for you.

Flame Genie vs. Solo Stove: Models

Flame Genie’s family of models is pretty straightforward: there’s the Flame Genie (with a 13.5” diameter), and the Flame Genie Inferno (with a 19” diameter). Both models are available in either stainless steel or a cost-effective galvanized steel with a black powder coating.

Here’s a look at the specifications of both Flame Genie models in both finish options:

Solo Stove, on the other hand, offers four models: the Mesa, the Ranger 2.0, the Bonfire 2.0, and the Yukon 2.0. Like Flame Genie, each model functions similarly and looks identical; just think of them as small, medium, large, and extra-large.

Here’s a look at the specifications of each of the four Solo Stove models:

Flame Genie vs. Solo Stove: Design

Older Solo Stoves were designed as one solid piece with a perforated, non-removable ash pan in the bottom. After the fire died and the fire pit cooled, you’d simply turn your Solo Stove over and dump out all the ashes to clean it.

Newer models like the Ranger 2.0, Bonfire 2.0, and Yukon 2.0, on the other hand, are made with a removable ash pan. Instead of having to turn the entire fire pit over to clean it, all you have to do is lift out the ash pan, carry it away, and dump it out. These new and improved models offer a much easier cleaning experience.

By contrast, Flame Genies come in two distinct pieces: the base (pictured left) and the combustion chamber (pictured right). As the fire burns in the combustion chamber, ash and embers fall through small holes in the bottom and filter down into the base.

After the fire is out and the fire pit cools, you can take the combustion chamber off and carry away just the base to dispose of the ashes.

The two components are designed to fit into each other when the fire pit is not in use, too. The base is sized to fit into the combustion chamber, helping to cut down on storage space and assisting with portability.

Flame Genie vs. Solo Stove: Fuel

Solo Stoves are designed to accommodate standard firewood. The design of the airflow system on a Solo Stove preheats outside air that filters into the fire pit, helping to mitigate or even eliminate smoke. The drier and more seasoned the firewood, the better the burn in the fire pit.

Flame Genies, on the other hand, are made to burn wood pellet fuel. Wood pellets are made from compressed sawdust and, as a result, they have very little moisture content. This fuel, combined with the intentionally placed airflow holes on the fire pit, allow for a smokeless burn.

While Solo Stove suggests standard firewood and Flame Genies are made with pellets in mind, note that you can burn either fuel in either fire pit. Flame Genie works well with regular firewood (though pellets offer the best chance at a smoke-free experience), and Solo Stove manufactures and sells a pellet adapter for their fire pits.

Flame Genie vs. Solo Stove: Price

Solo Stove’s pricing model is very straightforward: if you buy a bigger model, you’ll pay more for it. Each model is made of the same stainless steel material, so prices increase consistently with size. Here’s a look at the price of each Solo Stove model (keep in mind that these are subject to change over time):

• Solo Stove Mesa: $79.99
• Solo Stove Ranger 2.0: $199.99
• Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0: $224.99
• Solo Stove Yukon 2.0: $399.99

Our Flame Genies, on the other hand, have a less consistent price model. That’s because we don’t enforce a minimum advertised price (MAP), allowing retailers to charge what they think is the best price for their customers. As a result, you’ll see Flame Genies priced differently from retailer to retailer.

With that in mind, though, here’s what you can excerpt to pay on average for each Flame Genie model (though you may see prices much higher or much lower than these):

• Flame Genie (black): $135
• Flame Genie (stainless): $210
• Flame Genie Inferno (black): $199
• Flame Genie Inferno (stainless): $380

Another factor that may affect price is the manufacturing location of each fire pit. Solo Stoves are made in China, meaning their prices may be affected by tariffs, freight fees, and other international pricing logistics.

Flame Genies are made in the USA and, as a result, aren’t subject to these international price variables.

Flame Genie vs. Solo Stove: Which One Should You Get?

We know the smokeless fire pit market is filled with all kinds of options and, as a result, it can be confusing to figure out which one to buy. This guide only covered two manufacturers, too; there are dozens more smokeless fire pit makes and models out there to choose from.

By now, though, you should have a solid understanding of the bells and whistles of Solo Stove and Flame Genie smokeless fire pits. You know about how they’re designed, what kind of fuel they burn, and how much they cost.

The question remains, though: which model should I buy?

That entirely depends on which features you’re looking for. Solo Stoves are good for firewood while Flame Genies are made for pellet fuel. Flame Genie’s two-piece design allows for good portability, but that also means that one part can’t work without the other. Solo Stove’s fixed prices are easy to digest, while Flame Genie prices may differ from retailer to retailer (either in your favor or not!).

In the end, try to imagine how you’re going to use your smokeless fire pit and buy the option with the features best-suited to that experience. You’ll wind up with a great heating device that’s warm, enjoyable, and — maybe most importantly — smoke-free.

A fire pit provides a warm, cozy way to relax outdoors during the fall and winter months. But as enjoyable and welcoming as they are, fire pits have a major problem that you’ve probably experienced yourself: smoke from the fire can become overwhelming, irritating you during what should be a relaxing experience.

Smokeless fire pits solve this problem, eliminating the obnoxious fumes and allowing for a much better outdoor experience.

But have you ever wondered how a smokeless fire pit works its magic?

As the manufacturers of Flame Genie smokeless pellet fire pits, we’re well aware of what makes a smokeless fire pit work — how fuel and design combine to offer a pleasant, smoke-free experience. And we want to share what we know with you.

By the time you’re done here, you’ll understand how a smokeless fire pit works and, armed with that knowledge, you’ll be able to decide whether or not you should get one for yourself.

Wood Pellets

Every fire needs fuel, and in a smokeless fire pit, wood pellets are the fuel of choice. But how does burning wood pellets instead of logs help eliminate smoke? The answer lies in the moisture content of both fuels.

Logs may have more water in them than you might expect. A freshly cut, unseasoned log could contain up to 50% of its weight in water. Smoke from a fire is a result of this moisture content; the more water in the log, the more smoke it will produce. That’s why veteran wood burners follow good burn practices and allow their logs to season for at least six months.

Wood pellets are made of compressed sawdust and held together by lignin (an organic material found in wood). Unlike a log, these wood pellets contain virtually no moisture in them, allowing for a highly efficient, smoke-free burn.

Smokeless Fire Pit Design

The lack of moisture content in wood pellets helps to reduce or even eliminate smoke, but that’s not the whole story. The design of the fire pit itself also plays a hand in keeping the environment smoke-free — particularly the airflow system.

The Flame Genie, as an example, is divided into two pieces: the upper portion in which the fire burns, and the lower portion which catches ashes as the pellets burn up. The upper portion is made of a hollow cylinder with an outer wall and an inner wall.

As the fire burns in the fire pit, cool air from the outside enters through two spots: holes in the lower portion and holes in the upper portion.

The air entering through the lower portion rises up through the pellets, providing oxygen to the fire. The air entering through the upper portion rises through the hollow cylinder and heats up. This superheated air exits through the inner wall of the upper chamber and interacts with gasses from the burning pellets.

When the gasses from the pellets meet the superheated air, they catch fire, resulting in a secondary combustion. If everything is functioning properly, there will be flames coming from two locations: the pile of pellets, and the airflow holes in the top of the fire pit.

Do Smokeless Fire Pits Really Work?

In short, yes! The combination of the airflow design and the pellet fuel work together to produce a truly smokeless fire that provides plenty of warmth and a great ambiance. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t caveats to consider, though.

For one, wood pellets tend to burn up a lot more quickly than logs. You may find yourself having to fill your smokeless fire pit with pellets much more frequently than simply adding an additional log to a fire.

You also need to be careful when adding new pellets to the fire because it’s very easy to smother the fire accidentally. Keep a cup on hand and add pellets frequently and in small amounts. Be sure to spread the new pellets out well as you add them, and use hearth tools (like a shovel or fire poker) to mix the new pellets in with the burning pellets.

Finally, it can be tough to get a pellet fire going initially. You can spray a little bit of lighter fluid around the perimeter of the pellets before lighting them, but do so sparingly. If you do this, be very careful when lighting the pellets.

Should You Get a Smokeless Fire Pit?

The old adage goes, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” So it can be surprising to learn about smokeless fire pits and easy to wonder about how they work.

At this point, it should be clear that the pellet fuel and the airflow design of the fire pit itself work in tandem to create a smokeless burn.

But should you get a smokeless fire pit?

The answer depends; if you have a traditional fire pit that you like and you don’t mind the smoke it produces, you may not need to invest in a smokeless fire pit.

But if you’re tired of getting smoke in your eyes and your clothes and you tend to build a lot of outdoor fires, a smokeless fire pit may be just what you need. Flame Genie is a great place to start; it’s a well-reviewed, tried-and-true smokeless fire pit made right here in the USA.

And if Flame Genie doesn’t seem like a good fit for you, it’s a good time to be in the market for a smokeless fire pit — there are plenty of great options out there in all kinds of sizes and price ranges.