Best Smokeless Fire Pit Insert 36-inch (2026)
Five 36-inch smokeless fire pit ring inserts compared on stated inner and outer diameter, height, steel and finish, weight and the warranty each listing states.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
- 1
Best OverallIron Forge 36 Round9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Square PickIron Forge 36 Square9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Easy SetupKoutemie 40-Inch Fire Pit Ring9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit Ring Insert 36 Inch Round heavyView on Amazon - 5
Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit Ring Insert 42 Inch Round heavyView on Amazon - 6
Smokeless Fire Pit Ring Outdoor Insert 36 Inch Round SteelView on Amazon - 7
SoulMate Outdoor 52-Inch Outer/48-Inch Inner Fire Pit RingView on Amazon - 8
SoulMate Outdoor 35-Inch Outer/31-Inch Inner Fire Pit RingView on Amazon
A backyard fire pit earns its keep in burning season, when evenings turn cool and the woodpile starts to shrink. A ring insert gives the fire a defined home, keeps logs contained and, on the smokeless designs, feeds air where the listing says it matters. The best smokeless fire pit insert 36-inch is the ring that fits your pit layout and the fires you actually build. These five 36-inch inserts are compared on what each listing states: shape, inner and outer diameter, height, steel and finish, weight and warranty.
FirewoodGearHQ may earn a small commission if you buy through links on this page. The price you pay stays the same. Affiliate disclosure.
Quick picks
- Best Overall Iron Forge 36 Round: Thick-gauge steel, 10-inch height, 4-piece kit and rust-resistant high-temp paint; 27.5 lb of ring. Check price on Amazon
- Square Pick Iron Forge 36 Square: The only square ring here: 36-inch outer, 30-inch inner, 10-inch height, 34.9 lb. Check price on Amazon
- Easy Setup Koutemie 40-Inch Fire Pit Ring: 36-inch inner diameter with a vent-hole top circle, and 7.5 lb for easy placement. Check price on Amazon
The picks
Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit Ring Insert 36 Inch
A 36-inch round heavy-duty steel fire pit ring insert with a 30-inch inner ring and 10-inch height, in a 4-piece kit with rust-resistant high-temp black paint.
Pros
- Thick-gauge steel with high-temperature black paint
- 10-inch height, the tallest stated here
- 4-piece kit for a straightforward assembly
- Rust-resistant finish stated for outdoor seasons
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- 27.5 lb takes some effort to position
- No weight or gauge figure beyond thick-gauge
- Inner ring is 30 inches, not the full 36
Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit Ring Insert 36 Inch
A 36-inch square heavy-duty steel fire pit ring insert with a 30-inch inner ring and 10-inch height, powder coated, in a 4-piece kit.
Pros
- The only square ring in this roundup
- Thick-gauge steel with powder coated finish
- 10-inch height, the tallest stated here
- 4-piece kit for a straightforward assembly
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- 34.9 lb, the heaviest ring here
- Inner ring is 30 inches, not the full 36
- Square corners need a matching square pit layout
Koutemie Outdoor Smokeless Fire Pit Ring Liner
A round steel fire pit ring liner with a 36-inch inner and 40-inch outer diameter, a vent-hole top circle and 8.5-inch height, weighing 7.5 lb.
Pros
- 36-inch inner diameter, the roomiest fire area here
- Top circle of ventilation holes stated
- 7.5 lb, easy to place and reposition
- Use above ground or in-ground per the listing
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No bottom; needs sand or stones at the base
- 8.5-inch wall is shorter than the 10-inch Iron Forge rings
- Painted finish, not powder coated
SoulMate Outdoor 40-Inch Outer/36-Inch Inner Fire
A round alloy steel fire pit ring insert with a 36-inch inner and 40-inch outer diameter, vent holes at the top and 8.5-inch height, in an 8-piece kit.
Pros
- 36-inch inner diameter for generous fires
- Top ventilation holes for airflow
- 8-piece kit fixed with screws
- 16 lb sits between the light and heavy rings here
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No bottom; needs stones or sand underneath
- 8.5-inch wall is shorter than the 10-inch Iron Forge rings
- Painted finish, not powder coated
BigXwell Smokeless Fire Pit Ring Insert 36 Inch
A round alloy steel fire pit ring insert with a 36-inch inner and 40-inch outer diameter, dual ventilation holes and anti-rust powder coating, in an 8-panel kit.
Pros
- Dual ventilation holes for airflow
- Anti-rust high-temperature powder coating
- 36-inch inner diameter for generous fires
- 8-panel kit assembles in minutes per the listing
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No weight stated on the listing
- 8.5-inch wall is shorter than the 10-inch Iron Forge rings
- No bottom; needs burying or a stone base
More options to compare
Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit Ring Insert 36 Inch Round heavyCheck price on Amazon
Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit Ring Insert 42 Inch Round heavyCheck price on Amazon
Smokeless Fire Pit Ring Outdoor Insert 36 Inch Round SteelCheck price on Amazon
SoulMate Outdoor 52-Inch Outer/48-Inch Inner Fire Pit RingCheck price on Amazon
SoulMate Outdoor 35-Inch Outer/31-Inch Inner Fire Pit RingCheck price on Amazon
Compare the picks
| Ring | Shape | Inner diameter | Height | Finish | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Forge 36 Round | Round | 30 in | 10 in | High-temp black paint | 27.5 lb | Not stated |
| Iron Forge 36 Square | Square | 30 in | 10 in | Powder coated | 34.9 lb | Not stated |
| Koutemie 40-Inch Fire Pit Ring | Round | 36 in | 8.5 in | Painted black | 7.5 lb | Not stated |
| SoulMate 40-Inch Fire Pit Ring | Round | 36 in | 8.5 in | Painted | 16 lb | Not stated |
| BigXwell 36 | Round | 36 in | 8.5 in | Powder coated | Not stated | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, collected 23 October 2026. None of these listings states a warranty term with a length, and none names a safety standard, so all five score zero for safety and warranty.
How we scored them
Each insert is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. The weights are explained on our How We Pick page.
| Product | Woodlot Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Forge 36 Round | 9.6 | 30 | 22 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| Iron Forge 36 Square | 9.6 | 30 | 22 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| Koutemie 40-Inch Fire Pit Ring | 9.6 | 28 | 20 | 21 | n/a | 0 |
| SoulMate 40-Inch Fire Pit Ring | 9.6 | 28 | 20 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| BigXwell 36 | 9.5 | 28 | 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: choosing the best smokeless fire pit insert 36-inch
Round or square
Four inserts here are round; the Iron Forge 36 Square is the only square option. Round suits a classic pit of blocks or a simple ring of stones, while square fits a patio layout built on straight lines. Pick the shape that matches the pit you plan to build, not the other way around.
Inner and outer diameter
The keyword says 36-inch, but check which diameter the listing means. The Koutemie, SoulMate and BigXwell give a 36-inch inner diameter with a 40-inch outer, so the fire area is a full 36 across. The two Iron Forge rings are 36 inches outer with a 30-inch inner ring. For big fires, inner diameter is the number that counts.
Height of the wall
The Iron Forge rings stand 10 inches tall, the tallest walls here; the other three stand 8.5 inches. A taller wall contains logs and ash better and reads as a more finished ring, while a shorter wall sits lower in a block surround. Match the height to how you build the pit around it.
Vent holes and the smokeless claim
Every listing here markets a smokeless burn through vent holes: a top circle on the Koutemie and SoulMate, dual holes on the BigXwell. Treat smokeless as the maker’s claim, not a measured result; what the holes verifiably do is feed air to the fire. Dry, seasoned wood matters more for clean burning than any vent pattern.
Finish against rust
All five are steel with a heat-rated finish: high-temperature black paint on the Iron Forge round, powder coating on the Iron Forge square and BigXwell, painted finishes on the Koutemie and SoulMate. Powder coating generally holds up longer outdoors, but no listing states a coating thickness or a rust warranty, so expect to touch up any ring after seasons of heat.
No bottom, plan the base
None of these inserts has a bottom. The listings suggest a layer of sand or stones underneath to protect the ground, or burying the ring for an in-ground pit. Plan the base before the ring arrives: a ring sitting on bare lawn will scorch it.
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
- Set the ring on sand or stones, never bare lawn, since none of these inserts has a bottom.
- Burn only dry, seasoned wood; wet wood smokes no matter what the vents do.
- Keep the fire inside the inner ring: 30 inches on the Iron Forge rings, 36 on the others.
- Let the ring cool fully before moving it; at 27.5 to 34.9 lb the Iron Forge rings are a two-hand lift.
- Store a spare bag of sand nearby for the base layer the listings suggest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a smokeless fire pit work?
The listings describe vent holes that feed extra air to the fire, which the makers say burns the wood more completely and makes less smoke. In practice, dry seasoned wood and good airflow are what keep a fire clean; the vents are one part of that.
Why is my smokeless fire pit smoking?
Wet or green wood is the usual cause; no vent design fixes that. Overloading the ring past the inner diameter also chokes airflow. Burn dry splits, keep the fire within the ring, and give the vents clear air.
Are smokeless fire pits really smokeless?
Less smoke is the honest claim. The makers market these rings as smokeless, but every wood fire makes some smoke at lighting and when you add wood. Expect noticeably less smoke than an open pile, not zero.
How do you clean a smokeless fire pit insert?
Let it cool completely, then scoop the ash out from inside the ring. None of these inserts has a bottom, so ash sits on the sand or stone base. A stiff brush takes soot off the steel; repaint or touch up the finish when heat dulls it.
Related guides
See our guides on smokeless fire pits for a deck, fire pits for a pool deck and fire pits for a rooftop deck.
