There is nothing better than relaxing by an outdoor fire. The fact is that sometimes starting a fire and dealing with the consequences can be more difficult than embellishing it.
But what if technology could help make camping even better? Autonomous grid-focused brand Biolight, known for its solar-powered gadgets, rechargeable flashlights and outdoor fire gear, wants to do just that.
The Biolite Firepit+ gives you the warmth, smell and feel of a battery operated frontal fire with minimal fuss, fan and smoke. This portable freestanding fireplace eliminates all the obstacles you'll encounter when starting a fire with Biolite's high-tech approach to old-school outdoor recreation.
We're giving the Biolite Firepit+ a test drive to see if it's worth the hype and investment. Spoiler: Wow.
The Biolite Firepit+ offers all the warmth and comfort of a traditional battery-powered fire without smoke, fans or inconvenience. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and campers who don't mind using high-tech equipment in the wild, this firewood and charcoal pit offers painless, portable campfire making, whether camping or backyard.
With portability and the ability to turn battery-powered fires into a personal hibachi-style grill, the Firepit+ is more than just a fire pit.
This fireplace poses a significant fire hazard to everyone. An incredible amount of air jets and a mesh-covered outer surface provide enough airflow to set a tree on fire in seconds. All you need to start a fire is tin and paper.
Biolite designed the Firepit+ with a portable 12,000 mAh rechargeable battery that powers internal fans that push air through stainless steel tubes at the bottom and top of the fireplace. Four adjustable fan speeds with 51 nozzles (or air ducts) to adjust air circulation and greatly improve the burning of wood inside. Similar to Solo Stove technology, FirePit+ adds more oxygen to the environment, which means hotter fires, more burns and less smoke. The battery pack serves as a charging stand for other electronic devices when the Firepit+ is not used as a fan.
Building a traditional campfire requires a lot of fans, fans and fans to start the fire, so you have to wait until the big logs are lit. Starting a fire with FirePit+ is very easy and fast. Biolite requires a certain fraction, and the continuous flow of air in the nozzles creates a flame almost instantly. Most of the time I leave the fan on as soon as I open the stack of paper and wicks. Once the circle lights up, I insert another log and set the fan speed to medium-high to make clearing the larger log easier.
I especially enjoy using this fireplace during the winter months. In January, we took the FirePit+ to the Gateway Cabin in West Michigan to make it easier to start a fire during the cold winter months. It turns out it was the right choice. Instead of worrying about wet and dry wood, we easily set up the Firepit+ outside of our cabin and filled it with newspapers and a few small logs. The match flashes quickly, and after the blower speeds up a few steps, the flame goes out, burning the wood.
Much less smoke and fans
Nobody wants a smoky face while camping. Luckily, the beauty of the FirePit+ lies in its sophisticated airflow system, technically complex but easy to operate, that burns wood more efficiently than traditional fires. The result: less smoke, more fires and no fans.
You can control the fans with the free Biolight app, buttons on the side of the battery, or in the palm of your hand. When the fans are off, the wood in the brazier burns and smokes. When you turn on the fan (even at minimum power), it starts to blow smoke. I've never had a smokeless experience with the Biolite Firepit+, but wood burns more efficiently and with much less fire. Another important note: you should always use dry wood. You also want the campfire to work properly so that there is enough space between the logs so that the fire does not put out the fire. Combined with damp wood, poor wood architecture, or not strong enough fire, you will still see smoke. However, when I light the fire and turn on the fan, I find that the FirePit+ burns efficiently.
Another benefit of the FirePit+ is the functional and aesthetically pleasing slatted frame. Constructed from stainless steel with a heat-resistant enamel finish, the fully transparent frame provides a 360-degree view of the fire and a large surface area for heat absorption. The extra airflow throughout the FirePit+ body contributes to efficient combustion. I love that I can often put my feet under the fire to warm my cold toes.
Wherever you go when you are outdoors, the Biolite Firepit+ can be with you (probably anywhere but hiking in the deep forest). Four sturdy stainless steel legs make it easy to store and toss in your trunk or closet. In addition, Biolite has developed several accessories to make the Firepit+ easier to carry and use, such as a rugged backpack ($60), deck and lawn protection mats ($40), and a stainless steel poker ($25).
The Firepit+ measures 27 x 13 x 15.8 inches, weighs less than 20 pounds, and is significantly smaller than the average metal fire pit you can buy at Lowe's or Home Depot. The rectangular shape makes it easy to store. Its portability makes it easy to take the FirePit+ with you, especially in places where there are no fire rings.
While the FirePit+ won't let you push the boundaries of fire, you can take the FirePit+ to public places like land administration offices or public parks and beaches where private cooking is possible. Speaking of beaches, setting up a Firepit+ on a beach is great. This is especially true at state park campgrounds like one of my favorites, Grand Haven State Park in western Michigan, or public beaches where you wouldn't normally let a fire burn on the sand. Firepit+ is a good solution because it is raised off the ground and does not have the negative environmental impact of traditional fires.
In addition to being portable, the Firepit+ is very easy to clean. You can lift the inner stainless steel log and get rid of the ash through the small sliding door on the bottom of the FirePit+. Or, to put it more simply, remove the grate and tilt the fire to let it all come out. I assume you can smoke in the FirePit+ for two or three nights before you need to clean the fire.
The $300 BioLite FirePit+ is no small investment. Besides, it's not for everyone. Anyone who turns down tech camping and wants a "real" camping experience is likely to skip the FirePit+. I had some concerns about the product, please think carefully before clicking "Add to Cart".
Up to four standard (or two or three large depending on size) fireplaces can be placed in this fireplace at the same time. The fire you can start in a biolith is not as big as a regular campfire or a metal fireplace, no matter how small. However, it's not about how much firewood you can fit, it's about how many people can gather around the fire and enjoy the warmth.
FirePit+ is ideal for groups of four to five people. Anything else and you enter crowded territory. With temperatures well below your standard camping ring and a group of campers on chairs trying to huddle together, this fire pit is best suited for small group living rather than camping.
Battery and fan noise
The most pleasant thing about sitting by a fire in a quiet forest is hearing the crackling and crackling of firewood. I found the FirePit+ fans to be a distraction during those quiet moments when I use them in the wilderness and backyard. Even at the lowest setting, you can hear the fans hum through the battery. At best, I found it too intrusive to play for more than a few minutes without ruining the mood.
Some campers may not be too worried about the sound due to the benefits of battery powered fans that keep the fire running smoothly. However, if you're looking for a real experience and the crackle of wood, the chirping of crickets in the background, and the rustle of leaves in the wind, you can safely turn off the FirePit+.
Personally, I appreciate being able to take my Kindle with me wherever I go, even if it's a bit noisy. I also like that I don't have to carry a propane tank with me to keep the fire going.
Additional Notes: The battery lasts 30 hours at low settings, 14 hours at medium settings, and 7 hours at high settings. When the battery is completely discharged, it takes approximately 4 hours to fully charge it.
The Firepit+ comes with a practical stainless steel grate built into the frame of the firepit. You can also fill these holes with charcoal instead of regular firewood to burn anywhere, anytime. And while the fact that you can instantly turn your FirePit+ into a portable grill is great, it's not my first choice. Reason: I'm not a big fan of greasy burgers, grilled vegetables, or expensive, high-tech cookers that drip oil.
Actually it is not. Biolite Firepit+ is the only battery powered fire pit on the market. The removable battery with built-in fan is a unique and original feature developed by the Biolite brand. I had a hard time finding another campfire that uses battery power to help the fire burn stronger and with less smoke.
However, other brands in the industry are also focusing on smokeless (or smokeless) fire. The stoves alone sell three different stoves designed to start small, smokeless fires: Ranger ($200), Bonfire ($255), and Yukon ($450). The Solo stove works like a traditional fireplace, but thanks to its unique design, wood is burned more efficiently and smoke from the fire is reduced.
The closest competitor is the Solo Stove Fire Ranger, which the brand says is the most portable fireplace. The Ranger offers little smoke (no batteries) and is the same size as the FirePit+: 15 pounds and 15 inches in diameter and 12.5 inches tall. However, the foldable legs and square shape of the FirePit+ make it easy to pack and store. In terms of battery, compared to the FirePit+, it has a mesh cover and 360-degree visibility of the fire burning inside, but it's $100 cheaper.
Other fire pits on the market, such as the Camp Chef Redwood fire pit ($220) and the Ignic Fire Can portable fire pit ($200), are sold as portable fire pits for outdoor use. The biggest difference between their products is that with the FirePit+ you need to carry a propane tank with you. These pits are smokeless, which is great if you want to avoid campfires and propane fuel. However, if you want to use real wood for your fire, the Firepit+ is for you because it's smokeless, portable and made from wood.
The Biolite Firepit+ is no ordinary fire pit. The built-in battery powered fan creates a soft fire with little noise and smoke. The FirePit+ is portable and has the ability to start a fire where there is none. . Right.
The BioLite FirePit+ is more expensive than other standard fire pits and is a great investment. Whether you're heading to the beach or hiking in the wild, the Biolite Firepit+ brings a modern and comfortable look to a traditional campfire.
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