Is a wood-burning stove bad for the environment, too? Our guide covers everything you need to know about stoves and pollution . How we selected prices and retailers These fire pits are made using a recycled washing-machine drum – great if you want to get creative and save some money. All you need to do is remove the drum from the machine, along with any plastic parts, then stake it safely into the ground. You can add legs if you want it higher off the ground.

These fire pits are usually log-fuelled, and you can even burn certain wood chips to flavour your food. However, it's worth bearing in mind that they can produce a lot of smoke from the meat or oil drippings, so they need to be cleaned frequently.Generally speaking, the larger the pit, the more heat it will give off, although other factors can change this, including what materials it's made of and the fuel you use to power it. However most fire pits will give you a full 360-degree view and allow you to make a larger fire. Patio heaters Most are powered with bio-ethanol, which means it won’t create smoke and should be easy to switch on and off. It should also have some type of safety screen or glass surrounding it. Normally made of steel, this style of fire pit features intricate designs that create a picture silhouette lit by the flames behind them. You can choose from a variety of sizes, shapes and designs.

This budget-friendly, powder-coated steel fire basket from Homebase looks a little different to most models on the market. Make a hole in the middle of the base the pit will sit on and fill it with gravel to help drain rain water; then cover the entire base area with gravel.

The flames are powered through gas that you can easily switch on and off. You can get portable models, however most gas fire pits tend to be permanent –and they can be expensive. Do remember that the more basic options won’t come with safety extras such as lids or screens, so you might need to spend a little more on accessories. Gaining popularity as we all spend more time at home, fire pits are super versatile and can add some glamour to your garden. But choosing the right type, size and material before investing is essential. Ideally, you'd get to see some fire pits in store before buying, but if this isn’t possible, find out as much information about it as possible before investing. If you want something to keep you warm while relaxing in your garden but don’t fancy a fire pit, here are some other outdoor heating options to try. Chimineas

A portable fire pit will typically be small- to medium-sized and might come with a grill to cook on. Always try to use a safety screen to prevent getting burnt by flying sparks. The height will often depend on whether you want to rest things on a table, but if you want to feel the warmth from your pit, you shouldn’t go much higher than 50cm from the ground. One-minute set-up time / 24” x 24” burn area / Nylon carrybag / fire mesh / ember guards / collapsible frame / heat shield / made from 304 stainless steel and aircraft aluminium / lifetime guarantee / dimensions (opened): 24″x24″x15″.Wet logs and house coal emit higher levels of PM so if you still want to invest in a fire pit, always burn dry wood. Includes firepit, grill and ferrocerium rod / minimalist design / stainless steel / foldable and rollable grill / built-in windshield / airflow / dimensions: 29x28cm grill Made of iron, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be used as a permanent or portable pit. To keep yours in good condition, you should rub it with oil after every other use. This low-standing, steel fire pit will provide 360 degrees of wood-burning fire. It has three legs, as well as handles, so it can easily be manoeuvred around the garden and you can cook food over it if you want. Built to sit directly on an existing surface, a tabletop fire pit is great if you're looking for something small and portable.