REVIEW: BioLite FirePit+

When the original BioLite FirePit hit the market a few years back, it was lauded for its innovative design and functionality. Amongst those innovations was a unique “x-ray mesh” body that provided optimal viewing of the flames from all sides and an integrated fan that dramatically reduced the amount of smoke created by the fire. That same fan could be controlled remotely using an app on your smartphone and its battery pack could be recharged using a solar panel integrated into the FirePit’s cover. And if that wasn’t enough, the FirePit was also an excellent grill, cooking up tasty meals in the backyard and at the campsite.

With such an excellent product already in its catalog, BioLite didn’t feel the need to reinvent the wheel when it came time to introduce the FirePit+. Instead, it made some subtle—but important—design tweaks that improve performance in some significant ways. As a result, an already great product only gets better.

Design (5) ★★★★★

At first glance, the FirePit+ plus looks a lot like its predecessor in many ways. In fact, if you put the two units beside one another, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. But look a little closer and you’ll see a few minor changes. For instance, BioLite has adjusted the body slightly to allow it to radiate more heat—something that comes in handy on cooler nights. The company has also added a subtle coating to the mesh and grill that increases durability and makes it easier to clean. The battery pack has even been upgraded to a 12,800 mAh battery, which BioLite says can run the built-in fan for up to 30 hours on its lowest setting. That’s enough to easily get you through a long weekend without needing a recharge. Portability is enhanced nicely by a set of folding legs and handles on either end as well, making it easy to take the FirePit+ with you on all of your adventures.

Performance (5) ★★★★★

As advertised, the battery pack works nicely with the fan to greatly increase the amount of air flowing through the FirePit+. This allows it to burn both wood and charcoal much more efficiently than a standard fire pit, creating more heat and reducing smoke as result. That said, while testing the product we found that the fan needed to be on its highest setting to really get a true “smokeless” experience. That said, even on the low and medium settings, the fan is a nice addition, making it much more pleasant to sit around the fire. The FirePit excels as a grill as well, heating up quickly and cooking steaks, burgers, vegetables, and a slew of other foods.

Versatility (5) ★★★★★

We’ve already touched on the fact that the FirePit+ can burn both wood and charcoal, while serving as both a basic fire pit and a grill. That alone gives it high marks in terms of versatility, particularly at the campsite. In order  to enhance its usefulness even further, BioLite has also introduced a line of accessories—including a grill lid, a griddle, and a set of cooking and cleaning utensils—that truly add to its overall functionality. If you plan on using the FirePit+ while camping, these items will be a nice addition to the basic set-up, taking its usefulness to new heights.

Overall (5) ★★★★★

You’ll be hard pressed to find another fire pit/grill combination that has so many great features in such a small and relatively compact package. Car campers and overlanders will love everything that the FirePit+ brings to the table, pun fully intended. After whipping up a great meal, it’s fun to gather around the fire and enjoy the flames and warmth in a (mostly) smoke-free environment. But even if you never take it far from home, this is a great product to have in the backyard too, providing options for outdoor cooking and hours of relaxation.

Priced at $250, the BioLite FirePit+ is an outstanding product that lives up to the company’s legacy of innovation and fantastic design.