Smokeless fire pit inserts can improve the appearance of your fire pit and make it easier to use, but they’re not very well-known outside of the fireplace industry. Many people don’t realize how easy they are to make or what a good idea they can be, which can be attributed to the fact that most people don’t know where to begin with their own smokeless fire pit insert. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place!
Step 1: Buy an Old Fireplace
Old fireplace inserts are ideal for making a simple, low-cost smoker. They’re rectangular metal boxes designed to hold wood logs, and they typically have three doors—one at each end and one in front. If you don’t already have an old fireplace insert, you can find them at Go Fire Pit.
Most sell for around $100 or less. You can also hire someone to pull your existing fireplace out of your house and replace it with an insert (the most common type) so that you can later install it outside as part of your smoker build.
Don’t worry too much about what size insert you buy; make sure it fits well in whatever space you plan to use for your smoker, whether under a deck or on an enclosed patio.
Step 2: Cut the Old Fireplace in Half
Once you’ve found your fireplace, it’s time to measure. You should measure across your opening and cut your pipe down into 2 equal-length pieces. My width was 22 inches, so I cut each piece down in half, giving me 4 lengths of pipe (each approximately 11 inches long).
Then it’s time to gather up some tools: you will need a hacksaw and an extra blade or two. A jigsaw or saber saw would also help make any tricky cuts but isn’t necessary for most folks.
Step 3: Prep and Paint
Now that your logs are dry, it’s time to prep and paint them. Using coarse sandpaper, rough up both sides of each log. (You may want to use gloves or risk waking up looking like Freddy Krueger.) For extra protection and water resistance, apply an exterior-grade sealer.
If you don’t have any on hand, use tung oil and paint in one step with an exterior-grade paint; allow 24 hours for drying before using your new fire pit. If you have gaps between logs (whether they are at eye level or otherwise), these should be sealed with silicone caulking before painting.
Step 4: Drill Air Holes Into the Bottom
Before using your new pit for an outdoor fireplace, you’ll need to drill some air holes into it. Using a small drill bit will work, but you may find it helpful to use a hammer and chisel.
The purpose of these holes is twofold:
- They allow oxygen into the space below so that burning material can catch fire.
- They create an updraft of hot air, preventing smoke from filling your living room.
The basic rule of thumb here is that every square inch of the surface area should have at least one hole drilled in it, so plan accordingly. These holes also tend to take on unique shapes depending on what materials are being used, so have fun with them!
Step 5: Screw in Legs
Don’t forget to screw in your legs before leaving home with your new fire pit. I know from experience! It looks nicer when you do it all at once and not with an extension cord running out of your garage! I also had trouble getting my screws in straight and not counter-sinking into my finished surface.
The key is to drill a small pilot hole first, use drywall anchors if necessary, then screw it right into that pilot hole. Easy peasy! (You’ll have to excuse me – I was on pain meds after wrist surgery.) You should be able to see what I mean in step 7 below.
Step 6: Burn Some Wood
The simplest way to extinguish your campfire is to burn it down completely. That means loading more wood on top of the existing logs, so they’ll eventually crumble into ash and coals. When you’ve added enough new fuel, sit back and wait for everything in your fire pit or fireplace to be consumed by flames.
This will take anywhere from 15 minutes up to an hour, depending on how large your campfire is and how much wood you’re burning at one time. But trust us—it’s worth waiting for! You don’t want any wood left behind once your coals have turned grey or white.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a fire pit smokeless?
Building a fire is one of humanity’s oldest rituals. Around these crackling flames, we tell stories and share our adventures. The campfire has long been central to any successful outdoor adventure or summer getaway, but with some new techniques and gadgets, you can create an experience that burns cleaner and keeps your friends closer than ever.
What can I use as a firepit insert?
Before you can think about making an outdoor fireplace insert, you need to know what you will use it for. Will it be used primarily for cooking over coals, or will it be used as more of a stone structure with some indirect heat?
If your primary use is fire-roasting marshmallows, all you’ll need is something that can hold some hot coals and perhaps act as a windbreak. For example, if you have an existing firepit, perhaps made from stones or bricks (more on these later), then maybe cover them with aluminum foil and place your roasting sticks in between. The bottom line here is that any surface area will work, provided enough mass (and insulation) to retain heat.
How does a smokeless fire pit insert work?
A wood-burning fireplace insert is designed to replace your existing fireplace. It can be vented into an existing chimney or installed without it. For an independent installation, you need access to a flue system that’s large enough and tall enough for a proper draft. So if your chimney isn’t already tall and wide enough, you may need professional help getting it ready for installation.
You’ll also need someone with knowledge of building fires and installing/building chimneys—and probably building permits if you want to install a masonry unit rather than use a prefabricated wood-burning unit that replaces your hearth. Here you will get the home renovation services.
Conclusion
Focus on keeping your kindling small and dry. Chopping larger pieces into smaller ones will help them catch fire faster and be easier to manage. To create your smoking kindling, place some larger pieces of wood inside an old sock (don’t use your only hose) and then tie it around another piece of wood with some fishing line or string. Hold one end of the line in each hand, stand back from your pile, swing forward, and let go — watch as it whirls around, catching light along its journey!
