**Ninja’s Fireside360: A Hybrid Smokeless Firepit and Propane-Powered Outdoor Heater**
As fall settles in here in the Northeast, there’s one autumn activity that reigns supreme among PopMech editors: sitting around a firepit. While pumpkin spice, apple picking, and flannel shirts are all beloved seasonal staples, gathering by a firepit remains our favorite way to embrace the chilly weather.
Our team has tested dozens of smokeless firepits—setting them up and breaking them down, burning plenty of wood and propane, and even using a FLIR infrared camera to measure heat distribution. Most models share a common trait: they’re traditional wood-burning firepits. While the scent of burning wood is undeniably pleasant, wood-burning pits come with drawbacks.
**The Limitations of Wood-Burning Firepits**
Despite manufacturers’ claims of “100% smokeless” firepits, our testing shows this isn’t always the case. Propane models aren’t entirely smokeless either. Additionally, wood-burning pits simply can’t match the heat output of gas models, which can produce up to 80,000 BTUs. This limits their effectiveness as the weather shifts from crisp fall to biting winter.
**Introducing the Ninja Fireside360**
Leave it to SharkNinja — known for spotting ultra-specific market gaps (their FrostVault cooler is a prime example) — to craft a unique solution. The Ninja Fireside360 is a hybrid device combining two core cold-weather essentials: a propane-powered smokeless firepit and an outdoor space heater.
True to its name, the Fireside360 offers a full 360-degree heat experience, all while delivering (allegedly) a truly smokeless flame. But the question remains: can it do both jobs well? I set out to find the answer.
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### Almost No Setup Time
My favorite aspect of the Fireside360 was its remarkably seamless setup. Out of the box, the barrel-shaped firepit required very little assembly. In fact, there’s no full instruction manual inside—just helpful indicator tags and stickers to guide you.
The propane tank fits neatly inside the firepit’s barrel housing. After cutting through a few coordinated zip ties, I was already three-quarters done preparing the unit.
Next, I opened the back door, popped a single AAA battery into the ignition compartment, and attached a standard propane tank to the gas line. Adding the heat-resistant ceramic rocks to the bowl was the final step. The entire process took me less than 15 minutes.
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### Lighting the Flame
The Fireside360 features three core modes: flame only, heat only, and both simultaneously.
Thanks to propane, lighting the firepit was a virtually smokeless experience. Unlike traditional wood-burning firepits, you can ignite and extinguish the flame instantly with a dial—no matches, no fuss. The flame is fully adjustable, like any standard propane grill, allowing you to tailor the heat to your liking.
This design also eliminates everyone’s least favorite part of firepit use: waiting for the fire to burn out completely.
Heating works similarly. There’s a second flame beneath the main firepit that emits heat through grates. This heater operates independently, offering genuine 360-degree warmth thanks to a separate ignition system.
When using combined mode, you get the full 80,000 BTU output. Cranking both dials up, I was nearly sweating standing in front of the fire on a sub-60-degree evening. This extra heat will be invaluable for those chillier late-fall and early-winter outdoor gatherings.
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### The Ambiance
Beyond heat, the Fireside360 provides a pleasant, inviting glow at night, adding to the cozy outdoor atmosphere.
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### Final Thoughts
I found very little to fault in the Ninja Fireside360.
While I did miss the familiar wood-burning scent, the convenience and minimal cleanup more than compensated for this tradeoff. My only minor complaint was the lid accessory: although I opted for it, it added $60 to the cost—and it’s sold separately for $70. While not a deal-breaker, that price felt a bit steep for what is essentially a firepit accessory.
I’ve traditionally favored smokeless wood-burning firepits. Yet, after trying the Fireside360, I find myself doing a full 180—pun intended. This hybrid device offers an innovative, user-friendly solution for enjoying firepit warmth without the hassle of wood burning.
If you’re looking for a versatile, high-output firepit and heater combo with minimal fuss, the Ninja Fireside360 is definitely worth considering this fall and winter season.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/a69097176/ninja-fireside360-review/
