Best Fire Pit Inserts: 5 Picks
Five fire pit inserts compared on size, steel thickness, smokeless claims, portability and warranty.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best overallSunnydaze 42 in Square9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Drop-in bowlSunnydaze 23 in Bowl9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Smokeless pickIron Forge 36 in Smokeless9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
Portable pickYAHKBTEN 36 in Ring9.5/10View on Amazon - 5
DIY pickOUSHENG 36 in Ring9.5/10View on Amazon - 6
Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit Ring Insert 36 Inch Square heavyView on Amazon - 7
30 Inch Fire Pit Ring Insert for Garden Patio BackyardView on Amazon - 8
36 Inch Smokeless Fire Pit Ring InsertView on Amazon - 9
Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit Ring Insert 36 Inch Round heavyView on Amazon - 10
Sunnydaze Heavy Duty Steel Fire Pit Ring InsertView on Amazon
A fire pit insert is the part that takes the heat: a steel bowl or ring that drops into a stand, a stone surround or a DIY block build and holds the fire. The best fire pit inserts fit your opening, are thick enough to last and match how you use them, from a permanent backyard ring to a portable campfire frame. These five inserts, from a 23 inch drop-in bowl to 36 inch smokeless rings, differ on size, material, portability and warranty. Here is what each listing states. The square Sunnydaze leads on steel thickness and warranty, the bowl on easy fit, and the Iron Forge on its explained smokeless design.
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Quick picks
- Best overall Sunnydaze 42 in Square: 2 mm steel square insert with a stated 1-year warranty. Check price on Amazon
- Drop-in bowl Sunnydaze 23 in Bowl: 2.6 lb bowl for 21 to 22.5 in stands, with a stated 1-year warranty. Check price on Amazon
- Smokeless pick Iron Forge 36 in Smokeless: Heavy-duty ring with an explained secondary-combustion design. Check price on Amazon
- Portable pick YAHKBTEN 36 in Ring: 10 lb portable ring with a smokeless claim and 36 in inner. Check price on Amazon
- DIY pick OUSHENG 36 in Ring: 8-panel ring that packs flat for stone builds and camping. Check price on Amazon
The picks
Sunnydaze Outdoor Steel Square Fire Pit Ring
Sunnydaze square fire pit ring insert, 42 inches outer and 36 inches inner at 10 inches tall. It is 2 mm thick steel with a high-temperature paint finish, weighs 43 lb, has an open bottom and states a 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty.
Pros
- 2 mm steel, thickest stated here
- Stated 1-year limited warranty
- 43 lb, the heaviest insert here
- Open bottom, above or in-ground
Cons
- No smokeless claim is stated
- 43 lb is hard to move
- Landscape blocks not included
- Black only
Sunnydaze Outdoor Fire Pit Bowl Replacement
Sunnydaze round fire pit bowl insert, 23.25 inches outer and 21 inches inner with a 4.75 inch bowl depth. It is 0.7 mm steel at 2.6 lb, fits stand openings between 21 and 22.5 inches, and states a 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty.
Pros
- Stated 1-year limited warranty
- 2.6 lb, lifts out with one hand
- Fits 21 to 22.5 in stand openings
- No drain hole to clog
Cons
- 0.7 mm steel is the thinnest here
- No smokeless claim is stated
- No stand, screen or poker included
- Black only
Smokeless Fire Pit Ring Outdoor Insert 36 Inch
Iron Forge Tools 36 inch smokeless fire pit ring, 36 inches round with a 30 inch inner ring at 10 inches tall. It is heavy-duty steel at 27.5 lb with an explained secondary-combustion airflow design, for permanent installation.
Pros
- Smokeless mechanism explained
- Heavy-duty steel, 27.5 lb
- 30 in inner ring, deep fire
- Utility patent pending stated
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Not for portable or campground use
- Heaviest round ring here
- Black only
36" Fire Pit Ring Insert
YAHKBTEN 36 inch fire pit ring insert, 39 inches outer and 36 inches inner at 8.5 inches tall. It is powder-coated iron at 10 lb, states a smokeless design and portable use, and states a one year warranty.
Pros
- Powder-coated iron build
- Smokeless stated in the title
- 10 lb, portable stated
- 36 in inner, roomy fire
Cons
- Smokeless mechanism unexplained
- Powder coating, not high-temp paint
- Iron, not stated stainless
- Black only
36" Round Fire Pit Ring Insert Heavy-Gauge Steel
OUSHENG 36 inch fire pit ring insert, 39 inches outer and 36 inches inner, in 8 interlocking steel panels. It is heavy-gauge steel with a powder coating, open bottom for DIY stone builds, and assembles in minutes.
Pros
- 8-panel assembly, compact transport
- Open bottom for DIY stone builds
- Heavy-gauge steel stated
- Assembles in minutes stated
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Spec table weight is implausible
- No smokeless claim is stated
- Black only
More options to compare
Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit Ring Insert 36 Inch Square heavyCheck price on Amazon
30 Inch Fire Pit Ring Insert for Garden Patio BackyardCheck price on Amazon
36 Inch Smokeless Fire Pit Ring InsertCheck price on Amazon
Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit Ring Insert 36 Inch Round heavyCheck price on Amazon
Sunnydaze Heavy Duty Steel Fire Pit Ring InsertCheck price on Amazon
Compare the picks
| Insert | Size | Material | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnydaze 42 in Square | 42 in outer / 36 in inner | 2 mm | 1-Year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty |
| Sunnydaze 23 in Bowl | 23.25 in outer / 21 in inner | 0.7 mm | 1-Year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty |
| Iron Forge 36 in Smokeless | 36 in / 30 in inner | Heavy-duty | Not stated |
| YAHKBTEN 36 in Ring | 39 in outer / 36 in inner | Iron, powder coated | Not stated |
| OUSHENG 36 in Ring | 39 in outer / 36 in inner | Heavy-gauge | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 22 October 2026.
How we scored them
Each insert is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty.
| Product | Woodlot Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnydaze 42 in Square | 9.6 | 29 | 20 | 20 | n/a | 3 |
| Sunnydaze 23 in Bowl | 9.6 | 28 | 20 | 20 | n/a | 3 |
| Iron Forge 36 in Smokeless | 9.6 | 29 | 21 | 19 | n/a | 0 |
| YAHKBTEN 36 in Ring | 9.5 | 28 | 20 | 19 | n/a | 0 |
| OUSHENG 36 in Ring | 9.5 | 27 | 20 | 19 | n/a | 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. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.
Buying guide: the best fire pit inserts
Every insert here holds a fire, but they are built for different setups. The listings differ on the size and fit, the steel thickness, smokeless claims, portability and warranty. Those five details decide which insert goes in your yard.
Size and fit
Measure the opening before you order; the listings are specific, and a quarter inch of error is the difference between a drop-in fit and a return. The Sunnydaze bowl is 23.25 inches at the outer rim and 21 inches inside, and the listing says it fits stands with an opening between 21 and 22.5 inches. The Iron Forge ring is 36 inches round with a 30 inch inner ring. The OUSHENG is 39 inches outer and 36 inches inner. The YAHKBTEN is 39 inches outer and 36 inches inner. The Sunnydaze square is 42 inches outer and 36 inches inner at 10 inches tall. A bowl drops into a stand; a ring lines a stone or block surround. See our round vs square fire pit guide if you are still choosing the shape.
Material and thickness
Thickness is the durability figure. The Sunnydaze square states 2 mm thick steel with a high-temperature paint finish, the thickest stated here. The Sunnydaze bowl states 0.7 mm steel with a matte black high-temperature paint finish. The OUSHENG states heavy-gauge steel with a black powder coating and recommends a high-temperature spray paint before the first use. The Iron Forge states heavy-duty steel with a 27.5 lb weight. The YAHKBTEN states iron with a powder coating. Thicker steel lasts longer; the 2 mm Sunnydaze square and the 27.5 lb Iron Forge are the heavyweights here, and both suit permanent installs.
Smokeless claims
Two listings claim smokeless burning. The Iron Forge ring is engineered for efficient airflow and secondary combustion, with guidance to add a rock base, keep a 1 inch gap between the ring and wall and leave air vents at the base. The YAHKBTEN title calls its ring smokeless. The Sunnydaze bowl, square and OUSHENG listings make no smokeless claim. Take the claims as the makers’ words; only the Iron Forge explains the mechanism.
Portability
Decide whether the insert stays put. The Iron Forge is a permanent, non-portable design, explicitly not intended for portable use or campground transport. The YAHKBTEN and OUSHENG state portable designs for camping, with the OUSHENG assembling from 8 panels for compact transport. The Sunnydaze bowl weighs 2.6 lb and lifts out to dump ashes with one hand, per the listing. The Sunnydaze square is 43 lb, the heaviest insert here.
Warranty
Three listings state one. Both Sunnydaze listings state a 1-year limited manufacturer’s warranty. The YAHKBTEN bullets state a one year warranty with 24 hour response. The Iron Forge listing states no warranty term, and the OUSHENG offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee with no stated term, which counts as no warranty. A stated term is the only promise here you can hold the maker to.
What the listings leave unclear
The OUSHENG spec table lists 16 ounces, which is implausible for a 36 inch steel ring; the title and bullets state no weight, so treat it as not stated. The Iron Forge spec table says stainless steel while the title says steel; the title wins. The YAHKBTEN title says smokeless but the bullets never explain how. None of these gaps rejects the insert, but read the listing before you buy.
Wear eye protection and gloves for cutting, splitting and handling, follow every tool's manual, install stoves to code, and have the chimney inspected and cleaned every year. See EPA Burn Wise and NFPA heating safety. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size insert do I need?
Measure the opening. The Sunnydaze bowl fits stand openings between 21 and 22.5 inches. The three 36 inch rings fit 36 inch surrounds, and the square fits a 36 inch inner build. When in doubt, measure twice.
Do these inserts have bottoms?
The Sunnydaze bowl is a bowl with no drain hole, so tilt it to empty rainwater. The OUSHENG and Sunnydaze square state an open bottom design for ground contact. The Iron Forge and YAHKBTEN are rings and liners, also open.
Which inserts are smokeless?
The Iron Forge ring claims smokeless burning through airflow and secondary combustion, and the YAHKBTEN title calls its ring smokeless. The other three listings make no smokeless claim.
Which inserts have a warranty?
Both Sunnydaze listings state a 1-year limited manufacturer’s warranty. The YAHKBTEN names a warranty but states no term, which counts as no warranty here. The Iron Forge states none, and the OUSHENG satisfaction guarantee states no term.
Can I take one camping?
The YAHKBTEN and OUSHENG state portable designs for camping. The Iron Forge is explicitly not for portable or campground use. The 2.6 lb Sunnydaze bowl lifts out easily, but the listing positions it as a stand or DIY insert.
Related guides
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