I WAS IN SEARCH OF AN OUTDOOR FIREPIT THAT HAD IT ALL; One that could safely hold a modest amount of firewood…enough to kick out some serious heat for warmth on cool evenings outside my home – a firepit capable of grilling food, outdoors over an open fire. Appearance was important too…I wanted something stylish, not a cheap, steel weldment that turns out to be an eye sore for my backyard. After a few days’ research of the countless designs, shapes, retailers and manufacturers, I ended up purchasing the Yaheetech 32” x 32” firepit.
Below is what I learned about this firepit and what it’s really like after you drag it out of the box…
First, a true story…
I purchased the firepit online…Why?
Answer: I couldn’t find a good selection (let alone one, single firepit) in stock at any of the local stores I visited.
That’s right. True story. I traveled to 3 ‘big box’ national chain stores in search of a portable firepit and not one of them had any in stock, not even a floor model. I get it. The recent popularity is over the top and there are a lot of consumers purchasing outdoor living/furniture, especially in this past year. But that certainly wasn’t helping my case.
I was left no other option. I did my research online and that’s exactly where I ended up purchasing too.
(The convenience of having stuff shipped to your front door is always a great option 😊)
I WILL ADMIT THIS…
I put a few firepits in my shopping cart before I actually purchased the Yaheetech 32″ x 32″. As I stated earlier, I was looking for a more ‘stylish’ model but also one that had a deeper pit – one that could hold more wood. I didn’t care for the ‘shallow bowl’ types, as the wood and ash could easily be pushed out while stoking. But of course the price was an issue too, and this particular model wasn’t breaking the bank. Below is the firepit assembled in my backyard (note the stoned base I built for it).
WHY I CHOSE THE YAHEETECH FIREPIT…
To Be Honest…IT LOOKED COOL I thought the square shape and the pyramid-style spark screen added a classy touch to the overall look…as well as my backyard landscape. The round pits just didn’t do it for me…they remind me of a small backyard trash barrel.
SCREENED (see-through) SIDES This allowed for a better view of all the flames, plus, I wanted to feel the heat from them too. Great for cool evenings when you’re expecting warmth from the firepit.
OPEN-FIRE COOKING I burn firewood mostly for heat and relaxing near a fire, but I still like the option of grilling burgers, dogs, steaks and veggies while entertaining guests. This pit came with 2 separate grills fit precisely for its frame.
THE PRICE At $109 it was within my budget and it ‘checked’ all the boxes of what I wanted in an outdoor firepit (purchase date was April 2021).
It’s an AMAZON’S CHOICE! (this means it’s a highly rated, well-priced product, available for shipping immediately).
You can see the one I purchased HERE
BUT DOES THE YAHEETECH FIREPIT DELIVER?
(Spoiler alert: The ‘PROS’ definitely outnumber the ‘CONS’)
Here’s what’s good about it:
1. Portable, lightweight, and very sturdy. The four legs are positioned ‘outward’, just right, able to secure a heavy load of burning firewood. The rails surrounding the perimeter allow for easy moving and positioning too. With two people it’s easy to lift and carry the unit if you plan to safely dump the ashes. I’m currently using mine in the backyard, but I believe this would also be perfect for my deck or patio too. Below is another pic of the firepit behind my house (Note Wood Burner Pro’s TFH-1 in the background holding all that firewood!)
2. It comes with 2 separate grills for cooking over the fire. They fit inside the firepit frame just enough to be secure and low enough so as food cannot be pushed off with any cooking utensils. The option of using just one of the grill grates is nice too, as you can have access to the fire while grilling at the same time.
3. The spark screen adds a nice touch but more important, it’s a great safety feature.
4. Smooth transaction. My purchase through Amazon was hassle-free. The unit arrived earlier than promised, undamaged with all parts intact.
5. The inside steel pan has (4) angled pieces of steel spot-welded over a few holes. This is great for keeping the firewood off the bottom, allowing air to circulate for better and less-smokey fires. I assume the holes are also good for allowing water to drain out in case of unexpected rain.
6. Easy assembly. The owner’s manual estimates ½ hour for assembly. It took only 20 minutes once I unpacked the unit and inspected all the pieces. TIP: Choose to assemble the unit on a tabletop if possible. First, it’s lightweight so that shouldn’t be an issue, but what’s important is you won’t have to bend over or kneel to assemble (there’s approx. 37 parts – 24 of them are screws). Standing to assemble was much easier for me (I used a typical 6′ long, hard plastic table with pullout legs…pic below)
Dislikes/Room for Improvement:
A. I was disappointed with the thickness of the inside bottom steel pan. I realize with the low (but reasonable) price of the unit they can’t provide a super thick piece of steel, but I am concerned on how long this pan will last before I need to replace it. TIP: Keep an eye out for an upcoming post in The BZ Blog where I ‘remedied’ this issue. My ‘fix’ can be applied to any firepit too, as from what I’ve heard, almost all portable firepits are supplied with a similar steel thickness.
B. No firepit cover. If you’ve ever owned a firepit, you know a cover is needed especially if you plan to leave it outdoors. Yaheetech should at least recommend a cover that they know fits. TIP: Be careful of the customer reviews that claim a 32″ x 32″ cover will work. I bought one of them and had to return. I eventually purchased a 36″ x 36″ cover and I am happy that it fully covers my firepit…easily, with no stretching or fussing…great quality too.
The Amazon link for the cover is HERE
C. This same firepit is being sold by various retailers and the pricing varies for the exact same firepit. I was a bit confused at first, wondering which was the better deal, or worse…was one retailer offering something more than the other? After my research I found the lowest price on Amazon for the exact model Yaheetech offered by others. Be careful. The low-priced one I purchased from Amazon is HERE
D. The included fire poker could be a bit longer in length. I’m being picky here. But because I often like to ‘play’ with the fire to get it burning properly, I believe in being as far away from the flames (and sparks) as possible when poking around the logs…for safety’s sake.
SUMMARY:
If you plan to burn large bonfires, often, and for long periods of time, this firepit is not for you. You would be better off building a ‘ground’ firepit and a good distance from any structure…maybe one that has a thick metal ring and a pile of heavy rocks ‘round the perimeter.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to burn fires for entertaining guests or simply to relax, or even BBQ burgers or dogs, I would highly recommend this Yaheetech model. Overall l was very satisfied with my purchase. The price was right, and I felt I got exactly what I paid for (plus a little more).
Assembly is super easy and you’ll receive a great stylish look to be proud of in your backyard, patio or deck. But most importantly, you’ll be able to enjoy many hours of gathering around to view all the glorious flames of a fire warming your family and friends on those cool evenings. And for those of you who enjoy outdoor cooking, it’s also a great means for grilling delicious foods over open fire.
Once again, you can find the exact Yaheetech model I purchased, HERE.
Fire Inspires!
Be safe,
BZ
Stay in touch with my FREE NEWSLETTER…includes tips and exclusive offers.
FACEBOOK HERE (my life is never boring)
See what I’m up to on TWITTER