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Tabletop fire pits (also referred to as fireplaces, fire bowls, firepots, or flamepots) are often marketed as an easy way to add atmosphere to a patio, dining table, or living space. These products may also be called. Many create an open flame by burning liquid fuels such as rubbing alcohol, ethanol, or bioethanol.
Although these products may look simple, some can cause a dangerous phenomenon known as flame jetting.
What Is Flame Jetting?
Flame jetting can occur when someone pours liquid fuel onto an existing flame, or even onto a surface that isn’t burning but is still hot. When new fuel is poured, that remaining flame can ignite the fuel vapors. That flame can then travel up the stream of fuel and into the refueling container, which can cause an explosive burst of fire, effectively turning the refueling container into a blowtorch or a fiery bottle rocket.
The person adding the fuel is not the only one at risk. Flames and burning fuel can also reach family members, guests, or anyone else standing nearby. It can also cause serious damage to property, including destruction of an entire house.
Why Are Some Fire Pits So Dangerous?
Some fire pits are at particular risk of flame jetting. Why?
- Some fire pits are designed to be refueled by pouring the fuel directly into the same chamber where the fuel is burned. This is the exact type of situation where flame jetting is likely to occur.
- Although fire pits may include warnings not to refuel when the device is still burning or is hot, alcohol and ethanol flames can be difficult or nearly impossible to see when they are small. So even when it looks like all the fuel has burned off and the flames have gone out, some amount of fuel and nearly invisible flames may remain inside the fuel chamber.
- There are devices called “flame arrestors” built into refueling containers that can reduce the chance a flame will enter the container. But many fire pits don’t come with refueling containers. Instead, they simply tell the consumer what fuel to use – without telling them what a “flame arrestor” is or to make sure to use one when refueling.
Numerous Safety Warnings and Recalls Have Been Issued Due to the Risk of Serious Injuries and Death
The risk of serious injuries or even death associated with fire pits has been known for years. In 2017, Australia issued mandatory safety standards designed to reduce the risk of flame jetting associated with fire pits sold there. Canada has issued safety alerts since 2019.
And in December 2024, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a consumer alert regarding such fire pits due to “flame jetting and fire hazards,” resulting in reports of at least two deaths and 60 serious burn injuries since 2019. The Commission urged consumers to stop using and dispose of products that violate the applicable voluntary safety standard. It also advised sellers to stop selling them.
Individual products have also been the subject of recalls or warnings:
- In October 2024, a recall of Colsen-branded fire pits was issued, affecting approximately 89,500 units.
- In September 2025, a recall of tabletop fire pits was issued by Five Below, affecting approximately 66,000 units.
- In April 2026, the Commission warned consumers to stop using Rozato tabletop fire pits because of flame-jetting and other fire hazards.
- In May 2026, the Commission issued a similar warning about Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces.
- In July 2026, the Commission issued a similar warning about Houswise Tabletop Fire Pits, affecting approximately 53,500 units.
- In August 2026, a recall of Brookstone-branded Tabletop Fire Pits was issued, affecting approximately 48,700 units.
Additional warnings and recalls have been issued by other countries as well. And yet similar products continue to crop up again and again.
The Dangers of Fire Pits Have Been Successfully Litigated in Courts
These fire pits have not only been recognized as dangerous by product safety entities in multiple countries, they have also been the subject of successful litigation, including by our law firm.
For example, last year we filed a lawsuit for burn injuries sustained by a husband and wife when the tabletop fire pit they were using “flame jetted” on refueling. Last month, the manufacturers of that fire pit agreed for purposes of the lawsuit that their product was “not reasonably safe” under Washington law, and that they were legally responsible for our clients’ injuries. Andrew Ackley also resolved a tabletop fire pit case last year involving a product purchased on Amazon.
The Bottom Line
A tabletop fire pit may look harmless, but pouring liquid fuel into or near an open flame can have devastating consequences. If you have a tabletop fire pit that has been recalled, stop using it immediately. But can be seen above, warnings and recalls are not stopping similar dangerous products from finding their way into our stores and our homes, just under different brand names. If you have a similar tabletop fire pit, even if it hasn’t been recalled, the best course of action is to stop using it.