What Fuel to Use in a Smokeless Fire Pit

What Fuel to Use in a Smokeless Fire Pit: Helios Fire Explains the Best Choices for Cleaner Flames

The beauty of a fire pit lies in its flame warm, glowing, and inviting. But one of the most common questions people ask when buying a smoke-free design is: “What fuel to use in a smokeless fire pit?”

The answer is surprisingly simple: you don’t need any special fuels or proprietary products. With Helios Fire’s Apollo (large) and Eros (small) smokeless fire pits, the secret is not in exotic fuels, but in the airflow technology and the quality of the wood you use.

This guide covers everything you need to know about fuel for smokeless fire pits, from the types of wood that work best, to fuel efficiency tips, seasonal usage, sustainability, and how the right combination of fire pit and furniture creates an unmatched outdoor experience.

What Fuel to Use in a Smokeless Fire Pit: Understanding the Basics

Regular Wood, Smarter Burn

Unlike grills or gas heaters, smokeless fire pits like Apollo and Eros don’t rely on special pellets, chemical starters, or branded fuels. Instead, they’re engineered to burn ordinary wood more efficiently. The double-wall airflow system provides secondary combustion, meaning that whatever fuel you use burns more completely, producing less smoke and more heat.

Seasoned Hardwood vs. Softwood

When deciding what fuel to use in a smokeless fire pit, the best option is seasoned hardwood:

• Examples: Oak, maple, ash, or hickory.
  
  

• Advantages: Denser structure, burns longer, produces steady heat, and releases fewer sparks.
  
  

Softwoods like pine or cedar can still be used, but they burn faster and may pop more due to resin content. For the best experience, hardwood is the smarter choice.

What Fuel to Use in a Smokeless Fire Pit with Helios Fire Apollo and Eros

Apollo Smokeless Fire Pit: Large-Scale Fuel Advantages

The Apollo fire pit, Helios Fire’s largest model, benefits most from large hardwood logs. Because Apollo’s chamber can accommodate more fuel, it delivers:

• Longer Burn Times: Ideal for big gatherings and extended evenings.
  
  

• Even Heat: Great for entertaining with the Vento Modular Lounge Set or Eclipse Extendable Table.
  
  

• Efficient Cooking: Large flames and steady heat make Apollo perfect for braai-style cooking.
  
  

The advantage of Apollo is that you don’t need to overthink what fuel to use — regular hardwood works perfectly.

Eros Smokeless Fire Pit: Compact Fuel Efficiency

The Eros fire pit, Helios Fire’s smaller and portable model, thrives on smaller pieces of hardwood or split logs. Its efficiency ensures that even limited fuel delivers consistent warmth.

Advantages include:

• Quick Lighting: Smaller logs ignite faster.
  
  

• Fuel Efficiency: Burns completely, leaving minimal ash.
  
  

• Compact Comfort: Pairs beautifully with the Versano Patio Lounge Set or Cortina Rope Sofa Set for intimate gatherings.
  
  

Eros proves that knowing what fuel to use in a smokeless fire pit is less about buying special products and more about choosing the right size and dryness of wood.

What Fuel to Use in a Smokeless Fire Pit for Cleaner Air and Comfort

Seasoned, Dry Wood Is Key

Moisture is the enemy of efficiency. Using damp wood creates more smoke, even in a smokeless fire pit. To maximize comfort:

• Use logs that have been air-dried for at least six months.
  
  

• Store wood in a dry area, raised off the ground, with airflow around the stack.
  
  

The Comfort Advantage

Using dry hardwood fuel ensures:

• Cleaner air for guests.
  
  

• No shifting seats to avoid smoke.
  
  

• Consistent warmth for everyone around the pit.
  
  

What Fuel to Use in a Smokeless Fire Pit for Cooking

Hardwood for Flavor

For cooking, hardwood fuel provides a steady flame and even heat, making it ideal for braaiing. Whether it’s Apollo or Eros, the result is:

• Juicier meats.
  
  

• Balanced flavor.
  
  

• Minimal smoke interference.
  
  

Portable Cooking with Eros

The compact Eros pit makes cooking on camping trips practical. Split logs or hardwood chunks create reliable flames for grilling without heavy smoke. Pair it with Helios Fire accessories like the folding braai grills for a complete cooking setup.

What Fuel to Use in a Smokeless Fire Pit Across Seasons

Summer

• Apollo: Use hardwood logs for long-burning fires during evening parties.
  
  

• Eros: Great with smaller pieces of fuel for beach trips or campsite fires.
  
  

• Furniture pairings: Rope-weave lounges like Torino or Lazio withstand summer sun while complementing smokeless flames.
  
  

Winter

• Apollo: Large logs keep Cape Town patios warm through winter evenings.
  
  

• Eros: Smaller hardwood pieces warm decks and porches without smoke.
  
  

• Furniture pairings: Teak and aluminium frames resist wet weather and coastal conditions.
  
  

Every season brings opportunities for fire pit enjoyment, and the answer to “What fuel to use in a smokeless fire pit?” remains consistent: seasoned hardwoods.

What Fuel to Use in a Smokeless Fire Pit to Support Local Businesses

Buying Local Fuel, Creating Local Value

Another advantage of choosing wood fuel is that it directly supports local businesses and communities. When you source seasoned hardwoods or split logs from nearby suppliers, you’re:

• Strengthening local forestry and timber industries.
  
  

• Supporting small firewood retailers who rely on seasonal trade.
  
  

• Reducing the environmental footprint associated with transporting wood over long distances.
  
  

Sustainable Community Growth

When South Africans choose local wood for their Helios Fire pits, they keep money circulating within the community. This not only benefits small businesses but also creates a ripple effect for related industries — from woodcutters and suppliers to transporters and even local markets.

The Eco-Friendly Link

Local fuel doesn’t just support businesses; it also reduces the carbon footprint. Transporting wood across provinces or importing fuel products adds unnecessary emissions. By using locally sourced hardwood, households achieve the dual advantage of sustainability and community support.

What Fuel to Use in a Smokeless Fire Pit for Sustainability

Efficiency Means Less Wood

Because smokeless fire pits burn more completely, both Apollo and Eros require less fuel to maintain heat. This lowers costs and reduces demand for firewood.

Environmental Advantages

• Fewer particulates in the air.
  
  

• Cleaner burns reduce emissions.
  
  

• Sustainable materials — stainless steel, teak, aluminium, rope weave, and Olefin — ensure Helios Fire products themselves are eco-conscious.
  
  

Why Helios Fire Leads in Answering What Fuel to Use in a Smokeless Fire Pit

Helios Fire simplifies outdoor living by proving that the question “What fuel to use in a smokeless fire pit?” has a straightforward answer: seasoned, regular hardwood.

The advantages are clear:

• Cleaner air.
  
  

• Longer burn times.
  
  

• Consistent comfort.
  
  

• No special products or fuels required.
  
  

• Support for local wood suppliers and small businesses.
  
  

With the Apollo pit for large gatherings, the Eros pit for compact spaces, and the 2025 Summer Furniture Collection for style and comfort, Helios Fire ensures smoke-free flames are achievable for every household.

Ready to discover what fuel to use in a smokeless fire pit? With Helios Fire, the answer is simple: local wood, cleaner flames, and unforgettable nights.

The ultimate advantage of smokeless fire pit technology is its simplicity. When people ask “What fuel to use in a smokeless fire pit?”, the answer is not complicated:

• Seasoned hardwoods for best results.
  
  

• Smaller splits for compact pits like Eros.
  
  

• Larger logs for bigger pits like Apollo.
  
  

• No special products required.
  
  

• Sourcing locally supports small businesses and helps communities thrive.
  
  

With Helios Fire, homeowners can enjoy smoke-free warmth, effortless entertaining, and complete comfort — all powered by regular, locally sourced wood, thoughtfully burned through advanced technology.