What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £120 (~$160) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £102 (~$136) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £78 (~$104) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £54 (~$72) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £30 (~$40) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
On garden machinery, whether it starts from cold rather than warm. On glass and ceramics, chips and hairline cracks that do not show in a photograph.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a fire pit is worth what is being asked:
- Rusted-through bowls, which cannot be repaired
- Warping from repeated high heat
- Missing grates and covers
- Listing in autumn, when demand collapses
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Thick steel or cast iron construction
- No rust holes in the bowl
- Complete with grate, poker and cover
- Listing in late spring
Common faults and fakes
Reproduction and ‘in the style of’ pieces sold as originals, particularly in glassware and lighting.
Ask for a video of machinery starting from cold. On glass, ask the seller to photograph the piece against a bright window, which reveals cracks.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a fire pit, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Photograph looking straight down into it. Thinning and holes are what end a fire pit and they are invisible from the side.
Answer honestly. Steel fire pits rust quickly outdoors and buyers can read it in the photographs anyway.
Say so. Cooking grills are a real part of the value and replacements are rarely a good fit.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Turn it over and check the bowl for rust holes
- Confirm the grate and any accessories are present
- List it in spring rather than autumn
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The fire pit whole, outdoors, from a standing angle
- Looking directly down into the empty bowl
- The underside and legs
- Any grill, poker or cover included, plus every rust hole or crack
Details to confirm before you commit
- Diameter and height, and bowl depth
- Material and whether it has a protective finish
- What is included — grill, spark guard, poker, cover
- Bowl condition, specifically whether there is any burn-through
Live fire pit listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse home & garden for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
April to August, with a smaller autumn window for firepit season. Very little demand in midwinter, so hold it until spring.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a fire pit sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell fire pit for what to photograph and how to price, or what fire pit is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used fire pit?
Around £13 to £78 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a fire pit before buying?
Ask for a video of machinery starting from cold. On glass, ask the seller to photograph the piece against a bright window, which reveals cracks.
Is buying a fire pit second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. On garden machinery, whether it starts from cold rather than warm. On glass and ceramics, chips and hairline cracks that do not show in a photograph.
See also: all buying guides · fire pit value guide · selling fire pit · Home & Garden · condition grades.