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Pizza ovens have a dome-shaped cooking chamber that’s capable of reaching high temperatures — 800 F or more. To build a full-size, outdoor pizza oven requires some serious masonry skills, but it can be done!
Pros
- Enjoy crackling fires while cooking pizza
- Great for entertaining
Cons
- Need extra-dry hardwood to reach high temperatures
- Expensive to build
- Will make the neighbors jealous (!)
- May require special permits
For a simpler and more affordable option, we love the Scipio pizza oven by World Menagerie. Made of cast iron for great heat retention, there’s a wood-burning fireplace below and a grill hidden on top behind the sunburst door. Remove the top cover and you can use the grill for open cooking.
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Ethanol Outdoor Fireplace
One of the most eco-friendly fuels to burn in an outdoor fireplace is ethanol, a renewable biofuel derived from plants. Ethanol produces real, not fake, flames. And ethanol fireplaces come in a dizzying variety of sizes, shapes, materials and styles.
Great for creating ambiance, they generate less heat than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, so they’re best suited for summertime use.
Pros
- Odorless and smokeless
- Requires no venting
- Fuel is cheap
Cons
- Gas must be stored in closed containers
- Produces VOCs (although not an issue when used outdoors)
- Flames take time to fully “fire up”
If you have the means, don’t feel like you have to cut corners. The Eco-Feu Santa Cruz two-sided free-standing biofuel fireplace is ideal for creating a luxurious outdoor living space. It can be used as a freestanding fireplace in the middle of a seating area or inserted into a dividing wall for two-sided enjoyment.
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Outdoor Fire Pits
Although fire pits come in stone, brick, metal or concrete, they feature the same basic design: Raised walls with an opening on top. Fire pits are traditionally round, but you can also find square, rectangular and oval shapes. Most burn wood or gas. They’re inexpensive and can be placed almost anywhere.
Pros
- More people can gather around
- Won’t obstruct views
- In many regions, permits are not required (check with local authorities)
Cons
- Flames and embers can be blown about by the wind
- Safety issues (tripping and falling into the pit, children burning their hands, etc.)
Thanks to its pretty, lattice-work design and spark-screen cover (included), as well as its affordable price, the Sunnydaze crossweave outdoor fire pit is our pick for the best wood-burning fire pit.
