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A big problem that many new fire pits have is the heat from the fire goes straight up, and not outward to keep campfire watchers warm. Ninja solved this with their new Fireside360 propane fire pit, so they sent me one to test out.
With most other propane fire pits there’s a trade off. If you get one that’s low to the ground with an external propane tank, you get a little more radiant heat, but then you have a cumbersome tank and hose to look at and trip over.
The Fireside 360 has the tank underneath the pit, but there’s a ring around the base that’s a propane heater. You can control the fire pit and heater functions separately, so you can run one or the other, or both for maximum heat.
Summary
Ninja delivered with the Fireside 360 propane fire pit. It’s a convenient solution to those cool days and nights when you want a fire to look at and to stay warm. It’s also ready to go out of the box with minimal setup to get you to enjoying it sooner.
Features and Specs
- Retail price of $499.99 (check price) – a fire pit lid costs extra
- 80,000 total BTUs of power
- Comes with lava rocks
- Weighs 40 lbs
- Electronic ignition powered by a AAA battery
Gas vs. Wood Fire Pit
When you’re choosing a fire pit for your backyard a good place to start is if you want a gas fire pit or a wood fire pit. They both each have their plusses and minuses and have a place in the backyard.
What I like about a propane fire pit, like the Ninja, is you get a real fire in an instant. There’s no setup, you can turn it off when you’re done, and there’s not worry from burn bands.
With that, you lose that wood burning smell (which can also be a pro sometimes), and the fun of tending to a fire. It’s all preference and works with your backyard or situation.
Assembly
A great thing about this fire pit is you don’t have to put it together. It’s a bummer when you get something like this, are excited to use it, then have to spend an hour assembling it.
Once it’s out of the box, you just have to put a AAA battery in the ignitor (not included), put the included lava rocks in the fire bowl, and load in the propane tank. That’s it, it’s ready to go.
Appearance
The fire pit has a nice, clean look to it. The gray color looks good, and it’s a welcome departure from the usual black or shiny metal look of many other fire pits. Like I mentioned before, I like that the propane tank remains hidden, so it’s not an eyesore.
The instructions with the fire pit say to only use the fire rocks that the fire pit came with. I wish Ninja had other upgrade options on that front though, because the included fire rocks are serviceable but they aren’t the best. It also would be a nice way to change the aesthetic a little.
Obviously, the fire looks great when it’s lit, and the heater also adds to the look. It makes a good centerpiece for an outdoor living space.
Performance
There isn’t much to learn on the Fireside360. You just push in a gas knob to get the ignitor going, then spin the knob to you desired heat setting. That’s the beauty of a propane fire pit.
I liked that on the hinged cover for the propane tank underneath the fire pit there’s a chart to give you an idea of how long a tank will go for. With the fire pit flame on low, without the heater, it’ll run for 28 hours. With both the fire pit and the heater on high, it will work for about 5 hours, just to give you an idea on what to expect.
I do wish it came with a propane gauge on the hose though. It’s a bummer to think you have more propane than you do, and have to end your bonfire early.
Despite being mid-October, it’s still pretty warm here in Michigan. It’s been getting into the low 50’s to high 40’s at night, and that’s when I’ve tried the heater function. You can definitely tell the difference with it on, and it makes those cool nights comfortable.
Conclusion
I am very happy with the Ninja Fireside360 fire pit. It performed as advertised and delivered extra heat, so you can spend more time comfortably outdoors. I had a couple minor critiques of it, but overall, it’s a great product.