Wood Burning vs Electric Fire Pit: Which One Should You Buy?
Wood burning and electric fire pits compared on fuel, size, included gear and upkeep, with wood burning examples from the listings and the electric side described in general terms.
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Verdict: Choose wood burning if you want a real flame, a grill option and the examples shown here. Choose an electric fire pit if you want firelight without wood, ash or an open flame, and you have an outlet nearby. Both examples listed here burn wood; no electric example is listed, so the electric side is described in general terms below, not from a listing.
Fall evenings turn cool, the woodpile is stacked, and the question is what kind of fire you want in the backyard: wood burning vs electric fire pit. This comparison looks at what separates the two sides, with wood burning examples from the listings, and describes the electric side in general terms where no electric example is listed. Every figure below comes from the listings, not from our own measurements.
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Fire Pit Set, Wood Burning Pit -Includes Screen
A 37-inch rectangular wood burning fire pit with marbled tile accents, a spark screen, log grate, removable fire bowl and PVC cover.
Pros
- Spark screen, log grate, removable fire bowl and PVC cover included
- Log grate lets ashes drop for larger wood fires
- Powder-coated steel with a weather-resistant PVC cover
- 30-day warranty against manufacturer defects stated
Cons
- Bullets list an 18-inch height while the spec table lists 14 inches
- Bullets list powder-coated steel and PVC while the spec table lists stainless steel
- 24.7 pounds to move
- No grill or cooking grate is stated
Fire Beauty Wood Burning Fire Pit 22 Inch BBQ
A 22-inch wood burning fire pit with a BBQ grill, cooking grate, mesh spark screen and fire poker, at a taller 22.4-inch height.
Pros
- 2-in-1 fire pit and BBQ grill with a cooking grate included
- Taller 22.4-inch height for tending the fire without bending
- Mesh spark screen and fire poker included
- Supports wood and charcoal
Cons
- Bullets list a 22.4-inch height while the spec table lists 22 inches
- No warranty term is stated
- Steel thickness is called thick but no gauge figure is stated
- No cover is included in the listing
Side by side: wood burning vs electric fire pit
| Fire Pit | Woodlot Score | Fuel | Size | Included | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Garden 37-Inch | 9.6/10 | Wood | 37 by 28 by 18 inches | Screen, grate, bowl, cover, poker | 30-day |
| Fire Beauty 22-Inch | 9.6/10 | Wood | 22 inches wide, 22.4 inches high | Grill, grate, screen, poker | Not stated |
Example figures are manufacturer rated, collected 27 October 2026.
Fuel and flame
Wood burning means a real flame fed by logs, with ash left to clear: the Pure Garden listing includes a log grate that lets ashes drop, and the Fire Beauty listing supports wood and charcoal. An electric pit makes no flame from fuel, so it leaves no ash and needs no logs stacked nearby, but it needs an outlet. The Fire Beauty example adds a BBQ grill; no electric example is listed, so no grill comparison can be made for the electric side. Neither side wins on fuel alone: wood gives a real fire to tend, while electric gives firelight without tending a flame.
Size and shape
The two wood examples differ in size: the Pure Garden pit measures 37 by 28 by 18 inches with a 26.75 by 5 inch fire bowl, while the Fire Beauty pit is a 22-inch round bowl at a taller 22.4-inch height. Shape follows the same split: rectangular with tile accents against round and tall. No electric example is listed, so no electric size can be compared from a listing here; check the size of any electric pit against the space it will sit in.
Included gear
Both wood examples come with a spark screen and a poker, and each adds its own extras: the Pure Garden kit adds a log grate, a removable fire bowl and a weather-resistant PVC cover, while the Fire Beauty kit adds a cooking grate and a BBQ grill. The electric side has no example here, so its included gear cannot be compared from a listing; what matters for any pit is whether a screen and a cover come with it.
Upkeep
Upkeep is stated per listing: the Pure Garden listing says to clean the outside with a slightly damp cloth and no chemicals, and its log grate lets ashes drop for larger wood fires. The Fire Beauty listing names rust resistant high temperature paint and a stable four-leg base for seasons of outdoor use. An electric pit has no ash to clear.
Where you can use it
Both wood examples are outdoor pits for a patio, deck or backyard: the Fire Beauty listing names patio, deck and backyard gatherings, and the Pure Garden listing names yard or patio use. An electric pit needs an outlet, so it fits a patio or deck near the house, and it suits places where wood smoke or an open flame is not wanted.
Two examples
How we scored them
Each example is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. Safety here means a stated spark screen or poker, and both listings name a screen; only Pure Garden states a warranty, a 30-day term. The weights are on our How We Pick page.
| Product | Woodlot Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Garden 37-Inch | 9.6 | 29 | 20 | 22 | 5 | 1 |
| Fire Beauty 22-Inch | 9.6 | 30 | 21 | 21 | 5 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
Install stoves and inserts to the manufacturer's instructions and your local code, usually by a certified installer with a permit and inspection. Keep the listed clearances to combustibles, run working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, have the chimney inspected and cleaned every year to prevent creosote fires, burn only seasoned wood, and check local burn rules. See EPA Burn Wise, NFPA heating safety, CPSC carbon monoxide guidance and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Around the Woodpile
- Keep the spark screen on while the fire burns: both examples include a screen, and the Fire Beauty poker moves logs without touching the fire.
- Store the Pure Garden pit under its weather-resistant PVC cover between gatherings.
- Wipe the Pure Garden outside with a slightly damp cloth and no chemicals, per its listing.
- Set the Fire Beauty pit where its taller height lets you tend the fire without bending down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pick wood burning or electric?
Pick wood burning for a real flame and the grill option shown in the Fire Beauty example. Pick electric if you want firelight without wood, ash or an open flame, and you have an outlet nearby.
Do wood fire pits need a cover?
The Pure Garden kit includes a weather-resistant PVC cover, while the Fire Beauty listing includes no cover. A cover keeps the pit looking good between gatherings, per the Pure Garden listing.
Can I grill on a fire pit?
The Fire Beauty example is a 2-in-1 fire pit and BBQ grill with a cooking grate included. The Pure Garden example states no grill or cooking grate.
What size are the wood examples?
The Pure Garden pit measures 37 by 28 by 18 inches with a 26.75 by 5 inch fire bowl, and the Fire Beauty pit is a 22-inch round bowl at a 22.4-inch height.
Do these fire pits state a warranty?
Pure Garden states a 30-day warranty against manufacturer defects. Fire Beauty states no warranty term.
Related guides
See the wood stove hub, the wood burning vs propane fire pit comparison, the best wood burning fire pit for a backyard, the best spark screen for wood fire pit and the best fire pit cooking grate.
