Ciays Smokeless Firepit, 17 inch Fire Pit for Camping with P

The Verdict

If you’ve stood downwind of a campfire with tears streaming down your face, you know the appeal of a “smokeless” pit. The Ciays 17-inch model promises the double-wall burn technology that made brands like Solo Stove famous, but at a price point that won’t wreck your camping budget. With 229 ratings averaging 4.6 stars, it’s clearly doing something right. The question is whether it lives up to the hype or just the marketing.

What you actually get

The box contains the fire pit body (roughly 17 inches in diameter, 13 inches tall), a foldable stainless steel base, a removable ash catcher, and a padded carry bag. The unit weighs around 11 pounds — noticeably lighter than the 20-pound Solo Stove Ranger, which matters if you’re hiking it to a site. Assembly is tool-free: the legs click into place in under a minute, and the ash pan slides out from the bottom without needing to flip the pit over.

The stainless steel construction is solid for the price. At 1.5mm thickness, it’s not military-grade, but it withstands the thermal shock of a roaring fire without warping. The laser-cut air vents around the base are evenly spaced, and the interior burn chamber is roomy enough for a standard 16-inch log.

How it actually performs

The dual-wall design works as advertised — up to a point. Air flows through the bottom vents, gets preheated between the walls, and exits through the secondary burn holes near the top. This reignites smoke particulates, which is why you’ll see a significantly cleaner flame within five minutes of ignition. I tested it with seasoned oak and the smoke reduction was dramatic; with slightly damp pine, it still smoked, just less than an open pit would.

Burn efficiency is where this pit shines. A full load of logs produces a hot, compact flame that’s perfect for cooking — the flat top rim supports a grill grate or cast iron skillet without wobbling. You’ll get about two hours of solid burn on a standard armload of wood before needing to reload. Ash cleanup is genuinely easy: wait for the pit to cool, pull the drawer, and dump it. No tipping the whole unit over like many competitors.

What buyers consistently praise

The portability factor comes up repeatedly in reviews. One verified buyer wrote: “Took this on a week-long RV trip and used it every night. Packs smaller than my camp chair and the bag keeps the soot off everything else in the truck.” Another praised the heat output: “Surprisingly hot for its size — we sat comfortably in 40-degree weather without huddling over it.”

The build quality also gets consistent thumbs-up. Multiple reviewers noted that after months of use, the pit hasn’t rusted or discolored beyond normal heat staining. The foldable legs, despite the locking issue I’ll mention below, are sturdy enough for the pit’s weight when full.

Where it falls short

The legs don’t have a positive locking mechanism. They fold up for storage, but if you drag the pit across gravel or uneven ground, they can partially collapse. It’s not a safety hazard — the pit just tilts — but it’s annoying. A simple spring pin would fix this.

Rust is a real concern if you leave it outside. The stainless steel is magnetic grade, which means it’s more corrosion-resistant than plain steel but not rust-proof. One reviewer reported surface oxidation after a single rainstorm exposure. The included bag helps, but you’ll want to store it under cover between uses.

Finally, the “smokeless” claim is conditional. With kiln-dried hardwood, it’s near-perfect. With softwood or damp wood, you’ll still get smoke — just less of it. This isn’t a flaw unique to Ciays; it’s physics. But set your expectations accordingly.

Who should buy this

This is ideal for the weekend camper, tailgater, or backyard entertainer who wants the smokeless experience without dropping $300+ on premium brands. It’s also great for RV owners who need something compact that doesn’t dominate storage space. If you’re a hardcore backpacker, the 11-pound weight is too heavy — look for a titanium option instead. If you want a permanent backyard centerpiece you’ll never move, consider a heavier steel fire bowl.

FAQ

Does the bottom get hot enough to damage grass or a wooden deck? Yes. The legs elevate the burn chamber, but radiant heat will scorch grass within a few hours. Use a fire mat or place it on gravel, pavers, or bare dirt. Never use it on a wooden deck without a heat shield.

Can you cook directly on it? The rim is flat and wide enough to support a grill grate, but there’s no included cooking surface. You’ll need to buy a compatible grate or use a cast iron pan with a flat bottom. The heat output is excellent for searing.

How does it compare to the Solo Stove Ranger? The Ciays is about 3 pounds lighter and roughly half the price. The Solo Stove has slightly better airflow engineering and a more refined finish, but the Ciays matches it in burn quality and portability. The Solo Stove wins on rust resistance; the Ciays wins on value.

The Verdict

Buy it if: You camp or tailgate regularly and want a lightweight, efficient fire pit that doesn’t leave you smelling like a chimney. The smoke reduction is real, the build quality holds up, and the price is right.

Skip it if: You need a permanent backyard fixture, you only have access to softwood, or you’re unwilling to store it under cover between uses.

Rating: 4.6/5 — A genuinely capable smokeless fire pit that nails the essentials. The leg-lock issue and conditional smoke performance keep it from a perfect score, but for the price, it’s hard to beat.

As shown in the product image, the pit’s dual-wall design and vent placement are clearly visible — that’s the engineering doing the heavy lifting.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.