Fire Pit Night Essentials for Cold Backyard Evenings

There's something about a fire on a cold night. Phones go away, conversation slows down, and even teenagers will sit for an hour if there are s'mores involved. Fall and early winter are the best fire pit season: no bugs, crisp air and dark early enough that you can light it after dinner.

But a great fire pit night is about more than the fire. If the smoke chases everyone around the circle, the chairs are uncomfortable and nobody can see where they're walking, people go inside early. Here's what makes the difference.

The gear

1. A low-smoke fire pit: Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

Smoke is the number-one complaint about backyard fires. The Solo Stove Bonfire is built around a double-wall design that pulls air in at the bottom and feeds preheated air back into the top of the fire for a more complete burn, which means noticeably less smoke once it gets going. The 2.0 version adds a removable ash pan that makes cleanup much easier.

It's made of stainless steel, sized for a backyard group, and portable enough to move around the patio or take camping. Buyers consistently say it's the low smoke that sells them; the most common notes are that you need dry, seasoned wood for the best results and that the outside gets very hot.

2. Comfortable chairs: GCI Freestyle Rocker

The right chair keeps people outside. The GCI Freestyle Rocker is a folding camp chair with a spring-action rocking motion, a built-in drink holder and a padded seat. It folds flat to store in a garage or carry to a campsite. It's one of the best-loved camp chairs around because rocking by the fire is just better.

3. Warm hands: OCOOPA rechargeable hand warmers

Your front is toasty and your back is cold: that's fire pit life. A pair of rechargeable hand warmers fixes the gap. The OCOOPA UT2s MagTwins snap together magnetically and split into two, one for each pocket, and recharge over USB, so there's no pile of disposable warmers.

4. Light the path: Etekcity LED lanterns

Fire light is beautiful but doesn't reach the steps, the cooler or the path back to the house. Place a few battery LED lanterns around the patio so nobody trips carrying the s'mores tray. These collapse for storage and come in a four-pack.

5. Light the fire: bayite ferro rod

You don't need one, but lighting a fire with a ferro rod is fun and it works in damp weather. Kids love it (with supervision). Pair it with good tinder and a little kindling.

6. A little magic: Mystical Fire

Toss a packet of Mystical Fire into a burning wood fire and the flames turn shades of blue, green and purple for a while. It's a hit with kids and a fun holiday tradition.

The fire pit safety checklist

A cozy night shouldn't end in a call to the fire department. Before you light it:

• Check local burn rules. Many towns restrict fires on windy or dry days. Check your city or county rules and HOA.
• Place it right. Keep the fire pit at least 10 feet from the house, fences, trees and anything that burns, and never under a covered patio or overhang. Follow the manufacturer's clearance guidance.
• Use the right base. Set it on a non-combustible surface like pavers or gravel, not a wood deck unless the manufacturer allows it with a stand.
• Burn dry wood only. No trash, no treated or painted lumber, no gasoline or lighter fluid to get it going.
• Keep water nearby. A hose, bucket or extinguisher within reach.
• Watch kids and pets. The outside of metal fire pits gets extremely hot. Set a "no closer than" line.
• Put it out fully. Let it burn down, drown it with water, stir, and drown again. The ashes should be cool to the touch. Dispose of ashes in a metal can.

How to build a low-smoke fire

1. Start with dry, seasoned hardwood. Wet or green wood causes most smoke.
2. Use small tinder and kindling to get a hot fire quickly.
3. Add a few larger logs once you have a strong bed of coals. Don't overload the pit.
4. Keep the logs below the rim of the fire pit for the best airflow and safety.

Fire pit food ideas beyond s'mores

A fire pit night gets better when there's something to eat. A few easy crowd-pleasers:

• Campfire hot dogs and brats on roasting sticks, with a tray of toppings set up on a side table
• Foil packet dinners: sliced potatoes, onions, sausage and butter wrapped tight and set on hot coals (use tongs and heat-resistant gloves)
• Popcorn in a long-handled popper made for open fires
• Hot cocoa or cider kept warm in an insulated bottle so nobody has to run inside
• S'mores upgrades: swap the chocolate bar for peanut butter cups or a cookie

Keep food prep simple and keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby, along with a fire extinguisher. If you'd like to cook more seriously over fire, our grilling gifts guide covers a cast iron skillet that works over coals.

Picking the right spot

Before your first fire of the season, check your city or county rules. Many towns have rules about burn bans, how far a fire must be from structures, and what you can burn. Place the pit on a level, non-combustible surface such as pavers, gravel or bare dirt, well away from overhanging branches, fences and the house.

Make it a tradition

Some of the best family memories are made around a backyard fire. A few ideas:

• S'mores bar: graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows and a few fun twists like peanut butter cups.
• Hot cocoa in a big thermos so nobody has to run inside.
• Blanket basket by the back door.
• Story night: each person tells one story from the year.

If you're shopping for someone who loves cold-weather evenings outside, see our gifts for the guy who lives outdoors, or browse more stocking stuffers.