Outland Living Mega Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Outland Living Mega | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards | Best Portable Propane Fire Pit | Best Overall Fire Pit | Best Tabletop Fire Pit | Best Budget Smokeless Fire Pit | |
Price | $215 List Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $40 List $29.99 at Amazon | $160 List $94.99 at Amazon | $90 List $79.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | A hassle-free propane fire pit that offers convenience and the ability to bypass fire restrictions | An exceptional fire pit that offers a clean and smoke-free burn | Inexpensive, fun tabletop pit that leaves no mess and is very easy to use | While not the most durable, the Surestove budget smokeless fire pit burns hot and offers great portability | A great way to roast marshmallows at the table or for styling a backyard event, but not the best for warmth and comfort |
Rating Categories | Outland Living Mega | Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 | Roundfire Concrete... | Surestove Smokeless | Solo Stove Mesa Tab... |
Heat Output (35%) | |||||
Smoke Management (30%) | |||||
Portability (20%) | |||||
Ease of Cleaning (10%) | |||||
Ease of Assembly (5%) | |||||
Specs | Outland Living Mega | Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 | Roundfire Concrete... | Surestove Smokeless | Solo Stove Mesa Tab... |
Measured Weight | 25 lbs | 21.2 lbs | 3.5 lbs | 18 lbs | 1.4 lbs |
Fuel Type | Propane | Wood, Pellet (adapter sold separately) | Bioethanol | Wood | Wood, Pellet |
Measured Burn Time | 400 minutes | 60 minutes | 60 minutes | 45 minutes | 10 minutes |
Measured Assembly Time | 3 minutes | 3 minutes | 0.5 minutes | 3 minutes | 0.5 minutes |
Max Recommended Log Length | N/A | 16" | N/A | 16" | 3" |
Measured Inner Diameter | 19" | 17.5" | 3" | 18" | 5.1" |
Measured Dimensions | 24"L x 24"W x 13"H | 19.5"L x 19.5"W x 14"H | 5"L x 5"W x 6"H | 19"L x 19"W x 14"H | 5.1"L x 5.1"W x 6.8"H |
Material | Steel with powder coating | Stainless Steel | Concrete | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel/ceramic |
Ignition Type | Lighter required | Lighter required | Lighter required | Lighter required | Lighter required |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Outland Living Mega is a propane-fed fire pit that is ideal for bypassing fire restrictions and offers a quick and easy startup. The larger size helps accommodate multiple individuals, and the use of propane means no smoke or cleanup.
Performance Comparison
Heat Output
Though the size of the Outland Living partially makes up for the lack of radiant heat, it's still no comparison to the likes of a wood-burning pit. Still, at 58,000 BTUs, this pit produces enough heat to keep multiple folks warm. Our infrared thermometer readings exceeded 650°F, which places it in the middle of our lineup for heat output. We appreciated having an adjustable flame dial, which offers more control over the flame size and heat output, which is especially useful in inclement weather and for managing fuel consumption.
While it's hard to compare burn time for a propane fire pit, that's also what makes the Outland Living Mega an enticing option. Using a 20-gallon propane tank, this model can burn on high for over 6 hours on a single tank. You'll have to consider the rate at which you'll burn through propane if you frequently use it at a higher setting, since the cost of replacing propane can become expensive. While it may not compete with some of the wood counterparts in the heat department, it more than makes up for it with its long-lasting burn, which is free of smoke and ash.
Smoke Management
One of the most enticing reasons to opt for a propane fire pit is the absence of smoke. Even with smokeless pits, smoke still occurs in various degrees, which can affect the smell of clothes, spread ash, and require clean-up. The Outland Living Mega also does not produce sparks, making it a safer alternative in fire-prone areas during summer.
With the Outland Living Mega, you can avoid the game of having to constantly move out of the direction of smoke. That alone is a huge benefit to using a propane-fed fire pit.
Portability
It's not the most portable, but certainly not the worst; the Outland Living Mega lives somewhere in the middle. Its beefier steel construction adds some weight to the pit, but the circular shape and lip around the bowl help with carrying points. At 25 lbs, it can be carried more reasonably with two sets of hands but is still manageable with one person.
The built-in legs on the Outland help keep it all in one piece. This is beneficial for road trips and camping, where extra parts can easily be misplaced. The circular shape with built-in legs also allows for belongings to get stashed either under or on top of the bowl, which helps with more efficient packing.
Ease of Cleaning
Once again, we were big fans of the Outland Living Mega because it's incredibly easy to take care of. No ash means little to no cleanup is needed between each use. The only time a cleaning is necessary is if food residue, such as marshmallows, spills onto the lava rock inside the bowl.
No cleanup is another enticing reason to opt for the Outland Living Mega when traveling and camping. When on the move, not having to clean and dispose of ash can be incredibly convenient. Not to mention, you do not have to wait to put away your pit after a fire.
Ease of Assembly
To gather a score for each pit's ease of assembly, we ran a timer when setting up from start to finish. Setting up the Outland Living Mega was straightforward and required very little setup. It only requires unpacking the rock set and dispersing them into the bowl. The attachment and dial are already installed, which is convenient.
The only other aspect of getting set up is connecting your propane tank to the pit, and then you're ready to go. The ignition process is also quite a bit faster than that of a wood pit since it ignites with a turn of a dial and the flick of a lighter.
Should You Buy the Outland Living Mega?
The Outland Living Mega combines convenience and functionality, making it a great option for those interested in a propane fire pit. While not the hottest burning pit, the ease of use and ability to bypass fire restrictions make the Outland Living an enticing option. This propane pit is best suited for someone who values the ability to ignite a fire as they please and not have to worry about the nuances of a wood-burning pit. Whether on the road or in the backyard, the Outland Living deserves consideration as your next fire pit.
What Other Fire Pits Should You Consider?
If you're interested in a wood-burning pit but still want to avoid smoke, the East Oak Smokeless burns hot and puts out plenty of radiant heat. For those wanting to minimize clean-up time, we appreciate the slide-out ash pan design on the Tiki Brand Reunion Smokeless. If you're just interested in a simple table top model, the Roundfire Concrete Tabletop provides the ultimate ambiance for your table.