How We Test

Our goal is to evaluate outdoor fire pits the way you actually use them: on decks, patios, and small outdoor rooms with neighbors nearby. We measure smoke, heat, noise, and hassle—then publish the numbers alongside clear, code-aware guidance.

Test Environments

• Settings: small patios, composite/wood decks, open yards, and portable/camping scenarios
• Conditions: multiple ambient temperatures, wind speeds, and orientations; burn-ban and AQI-aware usage notes
• Surfaces and structures: instrumented deck boards, siding, and overhead elements to validate clearances

Instruments and What They Measure

• Particle sensors: PM2.5/PM10 at seating height, upwind/downwind, and at open doorways to gauge drift
• Thermocouples and IR mapping: surface temps under and around units; seating-radius heat maps at 0.5 m increments
• Sound level meter: burner hiss, fan noise (if applicable), and crackle at conversation distance
• Anemometer: wind speed/direction to normalize heat and smoke readings
• Timers and scales: setup/ignition/shutdown times, ash/residue mass, and fuel consumption for cost-per-hour

Protocols by Fuel Type

• Wood “smokeless”/pellet: standardized fuel load, ignition method, and burn-in time; measurements taken during warmup, peak, and post-feed phases
• Propane/natural gas: standardized BTU settings (low/med/high), wind-guard/deflector configurations, and tank concealment considerations
• Accessories: spark screens, heat deflectors, wind guards, and covers evaluated for measurable impact

Safety and Code Alignment We don’t offer legal advice, but we translate common code patterns into practical checklists by setting and surface. Pass/fail criteria include ember containment, vertical and lateral clearances, and surface temperature thresholds compatible with decking guidance and manufacturer limits.

Scoring and Reporting We combine quantitative data (smoke, heat, noise, temps, cost-per-hour) with qualitative usability notes (setup, cleanup, storage) to produce a neighbor-friendly score. We publish test conditions, gear used, and any deviations from protocol.

Durability and Weather Units and accessories undergo extended exposure cycles and repeated heat-up/cool-down to reveal finish changes, rust patterns, and hardware failure points. We evaluate cover effectiveness in wind and rain.

Limitations and Reproducibility Outdoor testing varies with weather and site geometry. We run multiple sessions and disclose conditions so readers can adjust expectations. When manufacturers revise designs, we re-test. If a result can’t be replicated, we say so—and investigate why.