The Best Outdoor Cooking Pits For 2023

We chose 7 of our favorite outdoor cooking pits designed specifically for grilling and roasting your favorite foods outside over an open fire.

It doesn't get more back to basics than this, so let's jump in a take a look at some of the best outdoor cooking pits on the market today!

Those fancy decorative gas fire pits are convenient if you are looking to warm up around a stylish conversation piece.

But you wouldn't exactly want to drop a hot sticky marshmallow or greasy bratwurst into one of them.

If you want sausages, or even steaks, straight out of the fire, as our long ago ancestors did it, you may be in need of an outdoor cooking pit that is...well, made for cooking.

Given all the choices and types of fire pits on the market, buying the right outdoor cooking pit can turn out to be quite a daunting task.

But help is at hand! Here's our pick of the best outdoor cooking pits out there.

In a Hurry? Check out our Top 7 Outdoor Cooking Pits for 2023 HERE:

Or skip below to read about each one individually.

The Top 7 Outdoor Cooking Pits In 2023

1. Landmann Northwoods Outdoor Cooking Pit

Measuring up to 35 inches, this portable fireplace/cooking pit is perfect for large outdoor gatherings.

It comes with a cooking grate and an easy access door for loading logs as well as grilling succulent chunks of meat.

It also features a high heat finish and a full-coverage spark guard for optimal safety.

Pros

Lightweight and portable for camping or parties.
Large hinged access door enables easy loading of food and logs
Comes with multipurpose tools INCLUDED for tending and stoking the logs
Large, lightweight outdoor cooking pit at an affordable price

Cons

Cooking grate covers just a part of the firepit
Some users found its construction flimsy

Rating: 4.5/5

2. Volcano Grills 3-Fuel Camping Stove

Whether you are camping in the backyard or embarking on an all out survival trek through the mountains, nothing would serve you better than this three-fuel cooking pit from Volcano Grills.

Suppose you run out of propane, this versatile product switches to burning wood and charcoal.

Have too much to carry already? It collapses down to 5 inches for easy portability in its own storage bag.

Pros

3-fuel capability makes cooking pit ideal for use in adverse circumstances
Switch between propane, charcoal, and wood in mere seconds
Collapses down to 5 inches for easy portability in its own backpack

Cons

Users complained of inadequate control over the flame in propane mode
Came with broken parts on a few occasions

Rating: 4.6/5

3. Martin Firepit From Pleasant Hearth

Attractively square in design, this extra deep cooking fire pit provides plenty of space for a raging fire that will not only warm you but also provide for your outdoor culinary needs.

While the product's built-in CirculAir system provides for more airflow and a consistent fire, the chrome-plated cooking grid lets you barbecue to your heart's content.

Pros

12-inch-deep bowl lets you set up logs however you like
Insert chrome cooking grid to turn bonfire into a barbecue
CirculAir system ensures optimum oxygen circulation for healthier flames
Removable mesh cover for efficient tending of the fire

Cons

Some users complained of flaking paint
May start rusting if not packed away when not in use

Rating: 4.5/5

4. Solo Stove Bonfire

A fire pit that's as futuristic in looks as in its technology, the Solo Stove Bonfire is painstakingly engineered to push the limits of both combustion airflow efficiency and minimalistic outdoor design.

While its double-wall structure maximizes air supply for efficient burning, bottom vent holes allow oxygen to feed the fire from below -- generating minimal smoke.

The result? An efficient fire pit that is just as good at warming you as roasting your marshmallows.

Pros

Singular construction does away with any need for parts or assembly
Efficient combustion technology minimizes smoke emission
Near-complete combustion of logs reduces the need for cleaning
Comes with a heavy-duty case for easy portability

Cons

Some complained of silver polish fading with continued use
Users faced difficulty in removing the ash
No grill grates, but works well for roasting marshmallows

Rating: 4.5/5

5. Landmann Patio Lights Firewave

Another sturdy product from Landmann, this black firepit has a classic round design with flame-shaped cutouts that come to life in the dark.

Besides a spark screen and a poker, the set includes a porcelain cooking grate for grilling anything from steaks to burgers.

However, its sturdy construction does not come at the cost of portability.

The Patio Lights Firewave is lightweight and has a handy safety ring with which to carry it around.

Pros

Comes with a mesh guard to prevent sparks from flying around
Attractive “firewave” cutouts help with airflow, ensuring better combustion
With a diameter of 23 inches, it doesn't demand much space
Accessories include porcelain cooking grate with handles

Cons

Some found assembling the firepit difficult

Rating: 4.6/5

6. Square Marble Tile Fire Pit by Pure Garden

An attractive blend of marble accents and contemporary design, the Pure Garden Square Marble Tile Firepit is just as good at creating lasting memories with family and friends as it is at roasting sausages.

Made of powder-coated steel to resist rust, the firepit is both lightweight and weatherproof for years of outdoor use.

Comes with a tile tabletop cover, safety log poker, spark screen, assembly hardware, and a protective cover of weather-resistant PVC.

Pros

Designer fire pit with grilling capabilities at an attractive price
Made of powder-coated steel for maximum rust resistance
Easy installation with very little upkeep over the years

Cons

A few users complained of marble tiles not locking in place
Does not come with a cooking grate

Rating: 4.⅘

7. Bali Outdoors Fire Pit With Cooking Grill

Equipped with a cooking grill that props itself daintily over red hot coals, the Bali Outdoors Fire Pit is everything Tarzan would have asked for if he was a chef.

While a circular ring fixed to the four legs provides added stability to the fire pit, the highly-adjustable cooking grill moves 360 degrees, allowing you to move your food in and out of the fire as needed.

Pros

FDA-compliant barbecue grill provides an adequate cooking area
Four legs attached to a circular ring for stability
Collapsible triangle frame rack affords better ventilation

Cons

Some users complained of paint peeling off
May rust if left exposed to the elements

Rating: 4.6/5

How to Choose a Great Outdoor Cooking Pit

Design

Regardless of how often you plan to use the cooking pit, it will contribute to the overall look of your patio or backyard.

Make sure you strike the perfect balance between beauty and performance while choosing one.

Fuel Source

Every kind of fuel, ranging from wood to a propane tank, comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.

While wood can give your food the smoky flavor that every chef harps on about, be sure you understand how to light and control your fire/coals before offering to cook for a large gathering.

Propane cooking pits are eco-friendly and easier to clean and control than wood-fired ones, but they can prove expensive in the long run.

Material

Steel is hardy and reliable but prone to rusting over time unless powder-coated.

Tile and slate are pretty to look at but high on maintenance.

Cast iron, being both lightweight and durable, is the best option of the lot.

Size

Buy a cooking pit suited to your needs. If you have a large family or friends who number by the horde, go for the Landmann Northwoods Outdoor Cooking Pit.

If it’s just you and a friend, the Solo Stove Bonfire should suffice.

The Best Outdoor Cooking Pits - Our Favorite

Like everything else out there, outdoor cooking pits come in all shapes and sizes with widely varying features.

However, if we had to pick the best of the lot, we would go with the Bali Outdoors Fire Pit with Cooking Grill not only because of its aesthetics and the emphasis it places on cooking.