“When iron oxidizes we call it rust. When aluminum oxidizes we call it corrosion. When copper oxidizes we call it a patina. I am accustomed to seeing rust as evidence of neglect and poverty (like on my car haha). Trusting that the surface rust is truly protecting this corten steel against future deeper damaging rust, I can appreciate the rusted look, even if calling it a patina is a stretch. Enough of the striking appearance, on to function. As a firepit, It is not magically smokeless, not by a long shot. If you get a smokeless fire in it, I bet you could get the same smokeless fire in an open pit - airflow and dry wood of appropriate size are bigger factors here. I read reviews about drilling additional air holes at bottom and am thinking about it, to aid primary combustion while waiting for the secondary vents to eventually do their thing. I wonder if they only put one small primary air intake hole so that it won't burn like a tornado and consume wood too quickly? I have a little gasifier stove barely big enough for a small pot of water, and it seems to me a conventional gasifier is helped by several factors: 1) Thin walls so the heat gets through quicker. 2) Small diameter so the fire is close to the walls to heat faster. 3) Plenty of primary air intake so the fire can start quickly, not suffocate. 4) Taller design so there is room for the primary fire and still space above for the secondary gas intake vents to turn into jet streams, and also allow a top down burn. Fire pits are usually short in height and wide in diameter, and I think this works against the gasification effect, because the walls are further away from the center, harder to bring up to temp and keep there, and the burning gases hit the open air sooner, to disperse before they can finish burning. And the fairly thick (1/8" ?) walls probably take longer for the heat to cause the convection in between the inner and outer walls. And, everyone that says most of the heat goes up, so you don't get a lot of radiant heat out the sides, is correct.
Still, I like it very much anyway - the corten look, the octagon shape, the heft. After 30 minutes or so as it gets up to temp and burns off most of the moisture and aerosols in the less than optimal wood I am burning, the gas vents do start to make subtle swirls. Very pleased with it. Be sure to get the lid. One of the best features making this superior to any similarly priced "competition."”
“This has been a great fire pit so far. Like most smokeless fire pits, you need to let it get going before the low smoke effect kicks in. It's very heavy duty steel and the corten finish looks good in the yard. Would recommend!”
“Couldn't believe we could sit around fire without getting smoked, but after reading website, I took a chance on it. Well, this low-smoke firepit works!! I love it. Only a little smoke when fire isn't burning full blast yet. Nice and controlled so few sparks even when really blazing. Once it gets going its very clean burning. Also easy to start.”
“Exceeded my expectations. Works as stated and is solidly built. The lid makes for a useful cover for putting out fires and protecting the pit from rain. This is a no frills, heavy get the job done fire pit. Pretty effective at keeping the smoke to a minimum once it gets going. Did I mention, heavy? It's best suited for a wonderfully sited permanent location unless you have a hand truck. Love the look of Corten.”
“We enjoy sitting by this Fire Pit and watching the flames dancing around the air holes inside. Once the fire gets going the airflow keeps it going strong and without smoke. I think we will be enjoying this for years to come.”
