Wind vs. the Zutto propane adapter

Wind is always a challenge and a hazard when dealing with fire, whether it’s wood or gas. Sudden gusts can cause the flames to shift unpredictably and behave erratically.

One of the main challenges is that compatible fire pits vary in wall height and panel construction. In smaller fire pits, the shorter walls leave the adapter more exposed. In larger fire pits, taller walls offer better protection from the elements. Wind behavior around propane fire pits also depends on several other factors, including flame size and whether there are any surrounding wind barriers. Under certain conditions, wind can extinguish part of the flame in any gas fire pit, resulting in a burner that is only partially lit, while gas continues to flow from the burner holes. The gas flow rate, controlled by the regulator, also plays a role in how this situation develops.

Example of wind coming from the right extinguishing the left side of the burner:

It's important for users to monitor for these conditions and adjust use as needed, following the recommendations in this article and the user manual.

Additionally, off-brand fire pits tend to have larger gaps between panels, which allow more wind to enter compared to the tighter construction of Snow Peak fire pits (although Snow Peak seems to have updated their Takibi production recently, leading to slightly larger gaps than before).

Air gaps in panel construction, differences between Snow Peak and off-brand fire pits:

The inverted pyramid shape of these fire pits also contributes to wind unpredictability. Gusts can strike the angled walls, go over the top and push the flames and gas downward leading to unstable patterns.

Effects of wind on the Zutto SP1 inserted in an off-brand fire pit

This is why we strongly advise against using your fire pit in high winds. The best solution is to place the fire pit in a sheltered area or use a wind screen specifically designed to reduce wind impact on campfires. We list a few recommendations on our recommended accessories page.

Example of the benefits of a 14x14x6 glass wind guard on the Zutto SP1:

Example of the benefits of a metal windscreen on the Zutto SP1:

We’ve also found that using ceramic fire balls help stabilize the flames, keeping them more centered even during light gusts.

Ultimately, always monitor your fire pit closely. If you see flames being pushed out through the panel gaps, that’s a clear sign the fire pit is too exposed and should not be used until wind conditions improve.