Best Fire Pits for Camping: Portable, Propane and Smokeless Options

For most car campers, tailgaters, and RV users, a portable propane fire pit beats a wood ring on convenience, burn-ban compliance, and instant on/off control. The trade-off is carrying a 20-lb tank and missing the crackle and smell of a real wood fire. If you want zero smoke, two-minute setup, and a fire you can turn off with a knob, buy a portable propane fire bowl.

Quick answer

The Outland Living Portable Propane Fire Pit, 19-inch, 58,000 BTU is the best all-around pick. It balances heat output, packability, and build quality, and the included carry kit and cover mean no separate purchases. If you need more surface area for a larger group, step up to the 21-inch version.

How the Fit Check Works: Five Questions to Answer Before Buying

Run through these yes/no questions. A “yes” on most points means a portable propane pit fits your camping style. A “no” means you’ll likely be happier with a traditional wood ring or a smokeless wood pit.

• Do you camp in areas with seasonal or year-round burn bans? – Yes → Propane or smokeless designs are required or strongly recommended.

• Do you want to be sitting around a fire within two minutes of parking? – Yes → Propane gives you instant ignition with no kindling or waiting.
• Does your group include anyone sensitive to smoke or who has asthma? – Yes → Propane produces zero smoke; even smokeless wood pits produce some.
• Are you willing to pack and store a 20-lb propane tank? – Yes → Standard tanks are easy to find and swap.
• Do you need the fire pit to double as a backyard patio heater? – Yes → Most portable propane models transition easily between camp and home.

Comparison Framework

All three models below use standard 20-lb propane tanks, produce no smoke, and include a carry kit and cover. The main differences are diameter, BTU output, and build quality.

Model	Brand	Key Specs	Best For
Outland Living Portable Propane Fire Pit, 19-inch, 58,000 BTU	Outland Living	58,000 BTU, 19-inch bowl, includes cover + carry kit, smokeless gas firebowl	All-around car camping, tailgating, RV use
GasBRUH Outdoor Portable Propane Fire Pit, 19-inch, 60,000 BTU	GasBRUH	60,000 BTU, 19-inch bowl, includes cover + carry kit	Budget-friendly choice for occasional campers
Outland Living Portable Propane Fire Pit, 21-inch, 58,000 BTU	Outland Living	58,000 BTU, 21-inch bowl, includes cover + carry kit	Larger groups, wider flame spread

Top Pick: Outland Living Portable Propane Fire Pit, 19-inch, 58,000 BTU – The 19-inch diameter is large enough for a real campfire feel but compact enough for most car trunks. The included carry kit and cover add value, and the build quality—evenly welded burner ring, natural-looking lava rock fill—holds up to regular trips.

Best-Fit Picks by Use Case

For car camping and tailgating

The 19-inch Outland Living model is the clear winner. At 58,000 BTU, it throws enough heat for 4–6 people on a cool night. The carry bag is sturdy, the cover protects the unit during storage, and the burner design produces a uniform flame pattern. Expect the fire to be ready roughly 30 seconds after you open the tank valve and turn the knob.

For larger groups

The 21-inch Outland Living model gives you a wider flame pattern and more visible fire. Same BTU rating means it doesn’t produce more raw heat, but the larger diameter spreads warmth sideways better for a circle of 6+ people. The trade-off: it takes up more trunk space and is about 3 lbs heavier to carry.

For budget-conscious buyers on a similar spec

The GasBRUH 19-inch pit matches the key features—carry kit, cover, no smoke—at a lower price point. The 60,000 BTU rating is a slight bump, but in real use the difference is negligible. The main trade-off is finish quality. The burner ring and bowl metal feel thinner, and some users report the ignition button sticking after a season. If you camp fewer than five times a year, this is a fine choice. For regular trips, spend the extra on the Outland Living.

Before You Buy: Verify the Propane Connection Fits Your Tank

The most common fit issue buyers run into is the propane tank connection. All three pits above use a standard QCC1 Type 1 connection—the green-handled valve found on virtually every 20-lb grill tank sold in the US since 2002.

Here’s how to confirm your tank is compatible before the pit arrives:

1. Check your tank valve. Look for a green plastic handwheel with five-prong threads inside. If the valve has a metal handwheel with no internal threads, it’s an older POL fitting that won’t connect directly to these pits.
2. If you have an older POL tank (common on vintage RVs or inherited tanks), you need a POL-to-QCC1 adapter, available at most hardware stores for under $10. Without it, the hose connector won’t seal, and you’ll get a gas leak at the connection point.
3. Inspect the O-ring inside the pit’s hose connector before each use. A cracked or missing O-ring causes a slow gas leak that you might not smell until you try to light the fire. Replacements are standard size and cost about $2.

Skipping this check means your pit arrives and you can’t safely connect it to your tank. The adapter fix is cheap, but it’s a frustrating store run when you’re already packed for a trip.

Trade-offs to Know

Propane pits vs. wood-burning pits – The number one complaint about propane fire pits is that they don’t “feel” like a real campfire. No crackle, no ember glow, no smoky scent. Some people miss that. On the other hand, you never have to find dry wood, you can turn the fire off instantly, and you won’t inhale smoke all evening.

One common mismatch: wind performance. Most portable propane fire bowls have no wind guard. A moderate breeze of 10–15 mph can blow the flame sideways, reduce heat output by an estimated 30–50%, and make the fire harder to enjoy. With a wood ring, you at least get some radiant heat from the coals even in wind. With propane, the flame is directional—if the wind pushes it away from your group, you feel cold on one side and a blast of hot metal on the other. Plan to position the pit upwind of your seating, or bring a portable windbreak (a camp chair or cooler works in a pinch).

Smokeless wood pits (like Solo Stove or similar) – These burn off smoke but still produce some and require wood. For car camping where you want a fire but hate smoke, they’re a decent compromise. Just don’t expect the instant convenience of propane—you still need to gather or buy wood and wait for the fire to catch.

Weight and fuel logistics – A 19-inch propane fire bowl plus a full 20-lb tank weighs about 40 lbs. That’s fine for a trunk or truck bed but not for a hike. If packing lighter, consider a 1-lb canister adapter (sold separately) or smaller 12-inch propane bowls that use the green tanks. Heat output drops significantly with the smaller tanks, so plan accordingly.

Related Questions

Are propane fire pits allowed during burn bans?
Usually yes. Most fire restrictions ban open wood or charcoal fires but exempt gas-fueled appliances with an on/off switch. However, check the specific park or forest order—some areas prohibit all open flames, including propane fires, during extreme drought.

Can you use a propane fire pit inside a tent or RV?
No. Never use any propane-burning device inside an enclosed space, including tents, RVs, or screened shelters. Carbon monoxide builds up quickly and can be fatal. Use the fire pit outdoors in a well-ventilated area at least 10 feet from any structure or vehicle.

How long does a 20-lb propane tank last on a fire pit?
At 58,000–60,000 BTU on high, a full 20-lb tank runs about 8–10 hours. On low (most models have adjustable flame control), you can stretch that to 14–16 hours. For a weekend trip, one tank is usually enough.