Braziers

Features and types

The collection brings together three distinct families of products, designed for different outdoor uses and spaces: steel fire pits, outdoor cooking plancha and compact portable barbecues.

Steel fire pits: Efesto and Illinois lines by Bizzotto

The fire pits Bizzotto belong to the Efesto e Illinois lines and are made of steel with two main finishes: rust effect and black finish. The shapes cover both round and square, with sizes ranging from medium models to large basins like the Efesto Round Fire Pit Ø80 H44 — ideal for gardens where you want a generous fire. The Efesto Round Fire Pit D 50 H 138, with tall stem, is designed for those who prefer to keep the embers at a comfortable height, without bending to feed the fire. The Fire Pit with Wood Holder Rust 70×70 H38 integrates a wood support directly under the basin: convenient if you burn a lot of wood, without needing to find a separate place to rest it.

The rust effect finish is not just aesthetic: on steel, it reduces the need for repeated surface treatments over time compared to a polished finish that tends to peel. For those who want a more orderly and neutral look, the black models fit well even in more contemporary design settings.

Le Marquier plancha: outdoor griddle cooking

Le Marquier is a brand specialised in plancha, since 1971 in France. The catalogue in this section includes gas, electric versions with griddle in cast iron, in various sizes (45, 60 and 75 cm griddle width). The Original Gas Plancha 260 Steel Duo is the choice for those who cook outdoors on gas with a thermocouple steel griddle that distributes heat evenly — useful for cooking fish, vegetables and meat. The Electric Plancha La Petite Française 150 Duo is instead ideal for balconies or terraces where a gas bottle is not practical: it plugs into an outlet, with no installation.

The Le Marquier accessories range is wide: covers (Original 60, Pure 75) to protect the griddle when not in use, trolleys Allure and Desserte Ingénieuse to create a self-contained outdoor station with work surface, splash guards in stainless steel, spatulas and the cork stopper for the drain hole. Accessories are matched by size: always check compatibility with your griddle size (45, 60 or 75 cm) in the product sheet.

Portable barbecues LotusGrill and Outdoorchef

The LotusGrill Standard Portable (35×23.4 cm) is available in blue, red and purple, weighs little and assembles in minutes: it is the right solution for balconies, picnics or terrace dinners where you do not want a fixed installation. It works with the LotusGrill Ethanol Fuel Gel 500 ml, sold separately in this same section. The 100% Natural Beech Charcoal Briquettes 3 kg by LotusGrill are an alternative to gel for those who prefer charcoal.

For those looking instead for a gas barbecue for the garden on wheels, theOutdoorchef Heat C-265 30 mbar on trolley is the model from our selection: compact, mobile, gas-powered, designed for continuous use on the patio.

How to choose a garden or outdoor fire pit

For type of use: heat or cooking?

The first criterion is simple: are you looking for heat for outdoor evenings, or a cooking tool?

• Fire pit (Bizzotto Efesto, Illinois): burns wood or briquettes, heats the surrounding space, creates the evening atmosphere. It is not designed for elaborate cooking — at most for grilling directly on the grill, if available.
• Le Marquier plancha: cooking surface at high temperatures, without direct flame. Perfect for cooking meat, fish and vegetables evenly, but does not heat the space like a fire pit. For cold outdoor evenings, pair it with a separate fire pit.
• LotusGrill / Outdoorchef: proper barbecues, with controlled combustion, with grill for direct cooking.

For available space

• Small balcony or terrace: the LotusGrill Standard is the most compact (35 cm), or an electric Le Marquier plancha that requires no gas bottle.
• Medium-sized garden: the Bizzotto Efesto round fire pits Ø70 or Ø80 cm are the right size, or a gas Le Marquier plancha on trolley for summer dinners.
• Structured outdoor kitchen: the combination of Le Marquier plancha + cabinet with doors + Desserte Ingénieuse trolley creates a complete station with shelves and work surface.

If you are thinking of a broader arrangement for the garden, you can combine the fire pit with a complete set of outdoor tables e outdoor chairs to structure the space for guests as well.

For maintenance

Bizzotto rust effect steel fire pits require less care than polished finishes. It is still recommended to cover them or store them during winter months to preserve the structure. Le Marquier thermocouple steel plancha are cleaned with a spatula while hot, immediately after cooking — the Kit 3 Stainless Steel Spatulas Plancha Le Marquier or the Large Spatula with Edges make cleaning easier. PVC polyester covers for plancha (available for 60 cm size) protect the griddle from the weather when not in use.

To complete your outdoor space, also have a look at garden umbrellas and at outdoor stools. If instead you are evaluating the entire range of outdoor furniture, the dedicated page to Bizzotto also collects tables, chairs and pergolas of the brand.

FAQ

What is a garden fire pit used for?

The garden fire pit is mainly used for two things: heating the outdoor space on cool evenings, burning wood or briquettes, and creating a visual focal point around which to sit. Some models — like those by Bizzotto with grill included — also allow direct ember cooking. However, it is not a kitchen tool in the sense of the plancha: for structured cooking, you need a different tool.

What is the best material for a fire pit, cast iron or steel?

For outdoor fire pits, steel is the most common choice because it is lightweight and corrosion-resistant. The rust effect finish on Bizzotto models is not a defect: it is a natural protection that holds up well outdoors over time. The cast iron is instead the preferred material for plancha griddles (Le Marquier), because it accumulates and distributes heat evenly during cooking. In summary: steel for fire pits, cast iron for cooking plancha.

Is it possible to light a barbecue in a private garden?

In Italy the use of a barbecue and fire pit in a private garden is generally allowed, but may be subject to municipal or condominium ordinances, particularly during summer months or in areas subject to fire risk. Before purchasing, check the rules of your Municipality and, if you live in a condominium, the condominium regulations. For enclosed or semi-covered spaces, the electric Le Marquier plancha is always the safest choice because it does not produce direct flame.

What is the difference between a fire pit and a plancha?

The fire pit burns wood or briquettes and is mainly used to heat the outdoor space or for direct grill cooking. The plancha is a cast iron, steel or stainless steel cooking griddle that heats up on gas or electricity and allows even cooking at high temperatures, without direct flame. Bizzotto fire pits and Le Marquier plancha meet different needs and are complementary: the fire pit for evening warmth, the plancha for good outdoor cooking.

Is LotusGrill fuel only used with LotusGrill barbecues?

The LotusGrill Ethanol Fuel Gel 500 ml is the specific fuel for LotusGrill models. Before using it with other fire pits or fire devices, always check the manufacturer's instructions for your device.

Why choose L'Arcolaio for your outdoor space

L'Arcolaio was founded in 2000 in Pignataro Interamna, just a few minutes from the Cassino exit on the A1 motorway, and over time expanded its catalogue to also cover outdoor furniture and accessories. In the 5,000 sqm showroom you can see part of the outdoor lines on display: you can see the real size of fire pits or feel the quality of a plancha before buying. L'Arcolaio ships throughout Italy and to 21 European countries or you can pick up your order directly in the store.

We have selected for the fire pit section brands with a range of matching accessories: from the Efesto line by Bizzotto to the Le Marquier modular systems, up to compact LotusGrill barbecues. If you are outfitting your outdoor space completely, also consider extendable outdoor tables for garden dinners.