The HGD Tabletop Fire Pit — The $33 Campfire You Actually Need
HGD Tabletop Fire Pit, 9.8 x 8.7 in, stainless steel. $33.24. Bear Mountain Gourmet Blend Wood Pellets, 20 lbs. $35.99. HGD Fire Pit on Amazon | Bear Mountain Pellets on Amazon
A Solo Stove Mesa runs about $100. This is $33. We love it.
It sits on a picnic table and burns wood pellets. That’s the whole setup. It’s not a campfire replacement — it doesn’t have the footprint or the burn time for that — but for s’mores after dinner or sitting outside after the kids go to bed when you want a fire without committing to one that burns all night, it’s exactly right.
Pellets are the right fuel for it. You can burn other things but pellets are what it’s optimized for and you’ll notice the difference. The good news is you don’t need to buy them on Amazon — Costco and Walmart both carry them at better prices. Bear Mountain makes a quality pellet and the Gourmet Blend burns cleanly with a pleasant smell.
The smokeless claim is mostly accurate. There’s always some smoke on startup and when the fuel runs low. Compared to a wood fire it’s dramatically cleaner. The stainless construction holds up, the triangular base is stable on flat surfaces, and at under three pounds it moves easily. The travel bag is actually useful.
It’s been on every trip since we bought it. Not because it’s essential — it isn’t — but because it fits in a corner of the van without occupying meaningful space and it consistently delivers exactly what it’s designed for.
MLD Standard — Verdict
| Durability | Conditional Pass. Stainless steel holds up but this isn’t a lifetime purchase at this price point. |
| Simplicity | Pass. No setup to speak of. |
| Value Integrity | Pass. $33 for what it delivers is honest pricing. |
| Repairability | Not applicable at $33. |
| Honest Marketing | Pass. Does exactly what it claims. |
Verdict: Pass. Use it for what it’s actually for. Don’t expect it to replace a fire pit. At $33 it’s one of the better value decisions in the camp kit.
The pellets are at Costco. The fire pit is $33. That’s the system.
