Ever feel like backyard parties and late-night patio conversations have to end when summer does? Think again. An outdoor fire pit is the perfect way to create cozy warmth in your backyard or patio – whether you want to roast marshmallows with your kids or enjoy a fireside glass of wine on a crisp night. Before browsing, check out our tips below for buying the best fire pits and helpful info about three types of fire pits we're loving right now.

What Is a Fire Pit & Why Do You Need One?

A fire pit is a burning structure for your backyard or large patio. Fire pits and fire pit tables vary in size and most freestanding fire pits are portable. Some of the best fire pits have space on top to set drinks and snacks at a safe distance from the flame. A few fire pits are even safe to cook food over (more on that later).

Fire pits are great for making even the chilliest forecasts into cozy moments. The flames create a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere to bundle up with friends or a partner for late-night conversations on the patio. Check out more info below on the best outdoor fire pits and the various types of fire pits.

Types of Fire Pits

Depending on your lifestyle, different types of fire pits and fire pit tables will offer different pros and cons. Keep reading below for three of the most popular fire pit types.

Wood-Burning

Wood-burning fire pits are one of the best fire pits to choose if you want that traditional campfire feeling. Wood-burning fire pits provide warmth, real smoke, and the cozy crackle of wood. The downside of a wood-burning fire pit is that it can be high maintenance, because you'll have to purchase or chop wood to keep the fire going. It also needs to be stored in a dry and covered area.

Natural Gas

Natural-gas outdoor fire pits are super convenient – all you have to do is push a button to start the fire. You will need to connect this fire pit to a natural gas line, which can be expensive to put in if your backyard doesn't already have one. Gas fire pits are one of our top picks for types of outdoor fire pits because they don't produce any embers or smoke, making them very safe to cozy up to. You can even cook over them. Saturday night s'mores on the patio? Yes, please!

Propane

Propane-fueled fire bowls are similar to natural-gas fire pits, although you don't need to connect the pit to a gas line. You'll need to stock up on propane tanks to ensure you don't run out while hosting friends. Both propane and natural-gas fire pits have bowl fillers like stones, glass beads, or lava rocks under the flame to conceal the burner at the bottom. It adds a nice touch of something unexpected.

Fire Pit Materials

There are many different materials to choose from when it comes to picking out your fire pit. Keep reading for a few of those materials and the pros and cons of each.

Concrete is among our top choices for the best outdoor fire pits. Concrete fire pits are hand-poured, meaning each one is unique. The gorgeous finish looks modern and sleek. And concrete is heavy-duty and super sturdy, so your fire pit will last for years to come.

Steel and stainless steel fire pits are more lightweight than concrete pits, making most of them easy to move around. Stainless steel fire pit tables are weather-resistant as well, so cleaning or replacing won't be frequent. Steel is rust-free and looks industrial.

Copper fire pits look stunning because of their simplicity. They are lightweight and portable while still sturdy enough to last for years. Copper is a metal that conducts heat very well, so you'll be able to feel a large circle of heat around a copper fire pit.

Stone fire pits are reminiscent of nature, so they'll fit seamlessly into your backyard. Stone is very dense and unlikely to absorb water, so a stone fire pit is an incredibly safe heat conductor and won't be damaged by chilly weather or rain.

Cast-iron and iron fire pits are very durable and sturdy. Cast iron easily and efficiently conducts heat, so you will always feel very cozy and warm near a cast-iron fire pit. Cast iron doesn't rust easily, and it's great for cooking over. The downsides are that cast iron is super heavy and doesn't do well with moisture.

Fire Pit Features

There are a few fire pit features to look for to make sure you pick out the best option for your lifestyle. Here's what each feature means:

• If the fire pit includes a gas conversion kit, it means the pit can be manually adjusted to run on either gas or propane.
• If the fire pit comes with a spark screen, it is a protective measure to keep sparks from flying out.
• Fire pits that include a cooking feature like a cooking grate are great for cooking small portions of food at one time.
• Fire pits that have a hidden fuel tank mean you won't be able to see the fuel tank once the pit is assembled.
• Portable fire pits are easy to move or transport. Just be sure to place the pit on flat, solid ground.

Pro Tip:

To shop for a fire pit or fire pit table with select features on Joss & Main's site, click the Sort & Filter button and then go into the Features drop-down menu.

Fire Pit Safety Tips

No matter which type of outdoor fire pit you decide on, know that they should be placed at least 10 feet away from your home. Fire pits (especially wood-burning fire pits) shouldn't be placed underneath any trees, as the embers can be unpredictable. Natural-gas fire pits can be placed on a deck (but wood-burning fire pits should not be placed on a deck). Always place a fire pit on a hard, level surface.

Make sure to keep a fire extinguisher nearby incase of an emergency. And note that if you opt for a wood-burning fire pit, you'll need to put up a fire screen to protect yourself and guests from sparks and flames.

Ready to cozy up to a fire pit this fall?