Best Outdoor Log Burners: 7 Hot Picks for Warm, Cosy Garden Evenings

The best outdoor log burners make a great investment to help you keep cosy and warm as you sit out and enjoy your al fresco surroundings. They will also create a wonderful sociable gathering spot in your garden.

There are several different types of outdoor log burner which can enhance your garden design including fire pits and chimeneas, while some include racks on which to cook food as well as built-in storage. It is also possible to find portable outdoor log burners that can be packed up and taken camping or on a picnic or trip to the beach.

When it comes to design, some outdoor log burners are almost industrial in their appearance, being made of chunky steel or cast iron, while others are far more decorative, offering laser cut details and pretty metalwork. 

We've rounded up the best products on the market to take some of the guesswork out of your choice, and to ensure you can enjoy your garden for as many months of the year as possible — and for as many hours of the day too.

Best Outdoor Log Burners

This is a great fuss-free outdoor log burner with a timeless appeal that will sit well in all kinds of garden schemes and alongside both contemporary and more rustic garden furniture. 

Crafted from raw metal, the fire pit comes in two sizes, this one, the large, as well as the smaller model which measures 55 high and has a 49.5cm diameter.

The metal is designed to weather to a mellow, rusted finish and as it can be kept outside all year long, no cover is required — plus the basket design means water will not pool inside the cavity as with some other log burners we looked at. 

On the downside, the fire pit is designed to be used with logs only — so no using coal. Also, there is no rack to grill food included — but there is nothing to stop you bunging in a couple of foil-wrapped jacket potatoes or marshmallows in skewers if the mood takes you. 

Chimeneas have been a popular way to heat patios and garden seating areas for some time now — and for good reason. As outdoor log burners they work really well, with their clever shape offering a 360-degree view of the crackling logs within. 

This model from La Hacienda is particularly charming, with its classic design and bronze finish. The mesh door offers a level of safety that those with young children around may find reassuring — a level of protection that some other outdoor log burners don't offer. 

On the downside, the covering and door make toasting marshmallows awkward and tossing another log on the flames becomes a little more fiddly too. 

A rain lid and fire tool are included but if you would like a waterproof cover then this will need to be purchased separately. 

This is a great multi-tasking outdoor log burner, for those who want more than just a heat source in the garden. 

The sturdy stone fire pit can of course just be used as a log burner to gather around as night falls, but pop on the cooking grill and it becomes a good-sized barbecue too — it even comes complete with tools for the job.

In addition, the handles make it easy to move the surprising lightweight log burner to different locations in the garden whilst a spark screen reduces the risk of rogue embers escaping on to your patio or nearby guests.

Another bonus point goes to this one for that fact that, unlike some of the other outdoor log burners here, this can be used with fuels other than logs, including charcoal and coal. 

A really sturdy, suits-all outdoor log burner that does exactly what you would expect an outdoor fire pit to do.

Yes, it lacks a grill on which to barbecue and no it doesn't come with a rain cover, but what it misses in accessories it makes up for in practicality and good looks. Thanks to the large shallow nature of the bowl, logs burn well.

On the downside, the metal is likely to rust a little over time but this is to be expected. Also, those with young children will want to keep an eye on them as there is no cover included.

If you are after a truly beautiful outdoor log burner for your garden that can double up as a work of art in its own right, then look no further.

This spherical fire pit features laser cut shapes depicts a forest scene that, once the sun sets, will glow from within when lit. It comes with an aged finish that is designed to further weather and improve over time.

The top of the globe is removed to build the fire — and can be left off if you fancy using the log burner as more of a fire pit for toasting marshmallows too. 

Add some Nordic chic to your garden and use a log candle to heat your outdoor seating areas, with this super stylish Swedish log burner.

Designed to hold a single log candle (you can buy these separately or make your own if you feel up to it), the steel log basket features an open body and a three-legged stand. 

The bonus of a Swedish log burner is that the log candles have a really long burn time, meaning no stoking or topping up logs during the course of the evening — plus they create a great focal point, are an affordable option and can be kept fairly compact in size. 

A great buy for anyone after an outdoor log burner with storage — this cast iron model has a built in space beneath the fire bowl that can hold a good amount of logs to keep you going through the evening and beyond. 

The square base of this fire pit means it is is reassuringly sturdy and unlikely to get easily knocked over, plus it is made from durable cast iron too. 

It is sleek in its design meaning it would slide effortlessly into a modern garden scheme.

On the downside, it is heavier than some of the other model reviewed, meaning if you want to move it around the garden you might need to recruit a helper. 

Are Outdoor Wood Burners Banned?

No. Recent changes to improve the efficiency of log burners came into effect this year though. The rules on burning wet wood and purchasing house coal changed on 1 May, which will phase out the sale of wet wood by 2022 and the sale of house coal by 2023.

Moreover, a new standard called Ecodesign means from 2022 you will only be able to buy more efficient Ecodesign stoves. The new standard will raise the efficiency of log burners across the UK, improve air quality and be better for the environment. 

Our guide on how to choose a log burning stove will explain the various types available, while our log store ideas will help you work out the design features you want. 

Can You Burn Any Wood?

Homeowners are now being encouraged to use cleaner alternatives which produce less smoke and pollution, and are more cost-effective to burn. These include dry wood and manufactured solid fuels.

For appropriate wood fuel, look for the Woodsure ‘Ready to Burn’ logo, which guarantees the moisture content of the wood fuel is less than 20% whether it has been kiln dried, or naturally seasoned.

How We're Testing Outdoor Log Burners

There's a lot to consider when buying one of the best outdoor log burners, and the Homebuilding & Renovating team is getting hands-on experience with the products in this buying guide to help you feel confident in choosing the right model for you. 

In our ongoing independent reviews we are testing the ease of use and heating coverage to gauge each log burner's efficacy, and assessing factors including design and value for money. We’re also reviewing everything in-between from materials used to which households will most benefit from buying a specific log burner. 

Our team is passionate about DIY and home improvement (which probably won’t be a surprise) so we already have detailed knowledge about the brands that make these log burners. Moreover, we have taken into account user reviews when compiling this buying guide, and gleaned key information from our sister sites such as Real Homes and Ideal Home to help you find the best outdoor log burner for your home.