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Outland Living Mega Review

A great alternative to wood fuel that bypasses fire restrictions and maintains a relatively affordable price tag
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Outland Living Mega Review (Propane fed fires are a great way to avoid the smell and hassle of smoke.)
Propane fed fires are a great way to avoid the smell and hassle of smoke.
Credit: Kenji Mowrey
Price:  $215 List
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Manufacturer:   Outland Living
By Kenji Mowrey ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 12, 2024
81
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 13
  • Heat Output - 35% 7.0
  • Smoke Management - 30% 10.0
  • Portability - 20% 6.0
  • Ease of Cleaning - 10% 10.0
  • Ease of Assembly - 5% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Outland Living Mega is our favorite portable propane fire pit. A quick and easy ignition process, a mess-free operation, and the ability to bypass fire bans help the Outland Living stand out in a crowded group of fire pits. The use of propane also means zero smoke and zero tending to the fire. Though there is less heat output compared to a wood-fed fire, the hassle-free operation is a great tradeoff. Whether bringing it along for car and trailer camping or for home use on the patio, the Outland Living might be the fire pit you're looking for. See our full best fire pit review to see how this measures up to the competition.
REASONS TO BUY
Adjustable flame dial
No smoke
Easy to set up
REASONS TO AVOID
Weaker heat output than some
Heavier weight

Compare to Similar Products

 
outland living mega
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Portable Propane Fire Pit
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Fire Pit
Top Pick Award
Best Tabletop Fire Pit
Best Buy Award
Best Budget Smokeless Fire Pit
 
Price $215 List
Check Price at Amazon
$199.98 at Dick's Sporting Goods
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A hassle-free propane fire pit that offers convenience and the ability to bypass fire restrictionsAn exceptional fire pit that offers a clean and smoke-free burnInexpensive, fun tabletop pit that leaves no mess and is very easy to useWhile not the most durable, the Surestove budget smokeless fire pit burns hot and offers great portabilityA 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%)
7.0
8.0
3.0
7.0
4.0
Smoke Management (30%)
10.0
9.0
10.0
7.0
8.0
Portability (20%)
6.0
8.0
10.0
9.0
10.0
Ease of Cleaning (10%)
10.0
7.0
9.0
6.0
8.0
Ease of Assembly (5%)
9.0
9.0
10.0
9.0
10.0
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.

December 2024 Update

Since initial testing, the Outland Living Mega has not undergone major updates, but the company offers additional accessories worth mentioning. These include a natural gas conversion kit and an additional carry bag that would be especially beneficial for people camping and traveling with their fire pits.

Tested and Rated


GearLab always tests our products independently, free of any influence. This fire pit and a dozen others were subjected to months of side-by-side testing to ensure we are creating accurate, thorough reviews. I used the Outland Living Mega for months in different campsites and backyards, noting and identifying what stood out and what could be improved.

Performance Comparison


An easy ignition process and adjustable flame dial makes this fire pit great for a variety of conditions.
Credit: Kenji Mowrey

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. During our infrared thermometer test, I gathered readings exceeding 650°F, which placed it in the middle of our lineup for heat output. I did appreciate 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.

outland living mega - our infrared test with the outland living mega averaged 600-700...
Our Infrared test with the Outland Living Mega averaged 600-700 degrees.
Credit: Kenji Mowrey

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.

outland living mega - an adjustable flame dial means you can have more control over your...
An adjustable flame dial means you can have more control over your fire without the worry of introducing smoke.
Credit: Kenji Mowrey

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, I found you can carry it reasonably with two sets of hands, but it 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.

outland living mega - the shape of the bowl helps with carrying the pit, even without...
The shape of the bowl helps with carrying the pit, even without dedicated handles or carrying bag.
Credit: Kenji Mowrey

Ease of Cleaning


Once again, I was a big fan 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.

outland living mega - if cleaning is in order, the lava rock can be replaced or washed...
If cleaning is in order, the lava rock can be replaced or washed, leaving the inside of the stainless steel bowl, which is a breeze to wipe up.
Credit: Kenji Mowrey

Ease of Assembly


To gather a score for each pit's ease of assembly, I 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.

outland living mega - the outland doesn't take much to set up, which we appreciate.
The Outland doesn't take much to set up, which we appreciate.
Credit: Kenji Mowrey

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.

The Outland provides a great fire without much hassle, whether it's on the back patio or at the campsite.
Credit: Kenji Mowrey

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 tabletop model, the Roundfire Concrete Tabletop provides the ultimate ambiance for your table.

Kenji Mowrey
 

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