Fires seem so appealing to most people that they will light them in their backyards or homes simply for the pleasure of looking at them. Nothing is more relaxing than sitting around a fire. I always bring a good fire-starting kit, whether I am backpacking or camping.
Most brand-name campfire rings and fire pits have been tested by me. BioLite’s FirePit+, which has a built-in battery-powered fan, was my favorite. It also comes with countless cooking accessories. The FirePit+ promised that it would make starting fires easy and burn cleaner than any other device I had tested. The review unit was packed in my 4Runner, so I set off to Oklahoma’s wilderness for one week to see if it worked. This is what I discovered.
What is the BioLite FirePit+?
BioLite FirePit+, the most recent version of their original FirePit is a portable firepit that can be used in any space outside where campfires are not possible or dangerous. The BioLite FirePit+ is a small, lightweight black steel mesh enclosure with collapsible legs. Each end has a handle. It measures approximately two feet in length and can be stored in a closet or in your car trunk for camping trips.
The battery-powered fan attached to the one end of this portable fire ring and fire canisters is what makes it stand out. It can be adjusted to deliver forced air through the metal tubing in the fire chamber. BioLite also offers accessories such as a griddle lid, grill lid and prep & grill toolkit that allow the FirePit+ to go beyond an “ordinary” firepit. This allows it to be a fire-powered camping kitchen tool.
What is the BioLite FirePit+?
The BioLite FirePit+ is similar to other camping firepits. It burns charcoal, split woodwood, or any clean-burning biomass. To test the FirePit+, I bought a bag of quartered, well-seasoned pinon wood, which was cut into smaller pieces. With the FirePit+’s removable grill, I created a fire-starting heap with cardboard paper towels tubes and a few sticks. Then, I added some cardboard garbage, small bits of cardboard trash, and a couple of twigs to the pile. Finally, I added chunks of pinon wood. To see the extent that the electric fan can lift heavy loads, I deliberately made it messy and inefficient.
I lit a small flame in the FirePit+ using a lighter from a grill. After turning the fan to low, the air began moving through the tube of metal and the fire started growing. The fan was now at three, the second highest setting. With no effort from me the flames burst into life. The fan’s highest setting caused the flames to shake and dance almost as if a wind gust of 30 miles per hour had passed through. In less than one minute, the entire chamber was engulfed by a fire. Impressive.
What are the features of the BioLite firepit+?
It may look like a simple steel box with an attached fan but BioLite’s second generation FirePit+ has more features than any other portable firepit I have ever seen. The most notable:
- Rechargeable USB battery pack: This 12,800mAh battery can keep your fan going for up to 30 hours at low power. The battery can be detached to charge using any USB socket and also doubles up as an additional backup battery that can be used for smaller devices.
- Compact, ultra-portable design Fully set up, the FirePit+ measures 27 inches wide by 13 inches deep and 15.8 inches tall (10.5 inches with the legs folded). The FirePit+ is large enough to store standard cordwood, but compact enough to fit in your garage.
- 51 air-jet-powered combustion. The combustion chamber is equipped with metal tubing that has been welded to the jets. All are powered by an attached fan. This greatly improves combustion, and makes the fire more efficient with less smoke.
- Hibachi grill grate The grill grate is designed to fit neatly onto the top and serve as a grilling surface for meats, fish, vegetables, and just about any other food that could be grilled.
- Bluetooth Integration The fan can also be controlled using BioLite’s smartphone app.
The BioLite FirePit+: What I Love
The BioLite FirePit+ was a great choice for me after a week of testing it while camping in Oklahoma.
- Small size: Despite having researched the FirePit+ before purchasing it, I was surprised at how light and compact it is. That’s what I consider a positive thing. You can take it on your next trip with you, or for camping in the car.
- Durable – Although lightweight, this product feels sturdy and can withstand years of abuse.
- The FirePit+ is a great firepit. The griddle lid and top make it a great grilling option. It can cook almost anything while I’m camping.
- Backup battery I take a couple of power packs with me wherever I go camping. The FirePit+ has an additional battery that is handy just in case.
- Simple to use. Two rows LED lights at the fan show the battery level and fan speed. The fan control button can be found right between the lights so that it is easy to locate in darkness.
The BioLite FirePit+: What I don’t like
- Electric fan: This fan is a great addition to my home. It can be annoying at setting 3; it is too loud to continue running continuously at setting 4. For starting the fire, these settings can be fine. If you want to feel the “chilling around the campfire after darkness” feeling, these settings can be distracting.
- Smartphone App: I don’t hate this smartphone app. Because the fan can be controlled by a button, I find it a novelty. After I have taken my phone from my pocket and launched the app to confirm that the Bluetooth connection was active, I am able to quickly get out of my chair and adjust the fan speed by pressing a button.
- I didn’t get a carry bag. However, it would be nice to have a more expensive carry case. However, I would like at least a basic bag. My last day at camp I realized that I needed to clean the firepit+ of ash and other debris, wrap it in a bag, which I also had, before I put it back in my car. If I hadn’t done so, the interior would have been covered in ash. The FirePit+ Carry Bag is a must-have if you are considering it.
FAQs about the BioLite FirePit+
Although the latest BioLite firepit+ camp gadget is quite basic, there are some questions owners often ask.
Are the BioLite FirePits being discontinued?
BioLite has discontinued the original FirePit and it is no longer in stock. The BioLite FirePit+ has replaced it (notice the “+”).).
Is there a serial number for the BioLite FirePit?
BioLite claims that FirePit+ owners will be able to find their serial numbers on original packaging and the fan unit.
Is the Biolite FirePit+ made of rusty materials?
Rust can form over time in any metal that has been exposed to extreme heat or moisture, such as the FirePit+ if left outside overnight. It is important to wash the FirePit+ every time it is used. BioLite recommends that you clean the FirePit+ using a soft brush, gentle water, and a vinegar solution. You can repeat the process as many times necessary.
What about indoor use of the BioLite FirePit+?
Absolutely , not. BioLite clearly states on its website that it is intended only for outdoor use.
Is the BioLite FirePit+ worth it?
Many fire pits are available for campers. BioLite’s FirePit+ is a high-end option at nearly $300 plus the price of accessories. It is worth it for the electric fan, which makes starting fires so much easier. There are also great accessories that can be used to cook camp meals. This is my new favorite fire pit, which I recommend highly to anyone who goes out on front-country camping.
Faqs
BioLite FirePit is a mesh box with foldable legs and a battery pack attached. The fire pit supports two fuel types: charcoal and firewood. There’s a fan inside the pack that injects cold air through 51 jets within the mesh box, which can dramatically improve combustion and greatly reduce smoke.18-Nov-2020
BioLite FirePit is a mesh box with foldable legs and a battery pack attached. The fire pit supports two fuel types: charcoal and firewood. There’s a fan inside the pack that injects cold air through 51 jets within the mesh box, which can dramatically improve combustion and greatly reduce smoke.18-Nov-2020
BioLite FirePit is a mesh box with foldable legs and a battery pack attached. The fire pit supports two fuel types: charcoal and firewood. There’s a fan inside the pack that injects cold air through 51 jets within the mesh box, which can dramatically improve combustion and greatly reduce smoke.18-Nov-2020
The FirePit is not precisely smokeless, as BioLite claims. But it does do a much better job than our old fire pit of ventilating smoke, burning fuel more efficiently, and keeping stray embers contained. It was relaxing to sit around a fire without constantly circling around it to avoid smoke plumes.04-Aug-2018
Conclusion
BioLite FirePit+ is a portable firepit that can be used in any space outside where campfires are not possible or dangerous. It has a built-in battery-powered fan that can be adjusted to deliver forced air through the metal tubing leading from the fire chamber and comes with cooking
