STARBBQ Smokeless Fire-Pit Base
Use & Care Guide
To installer or person assembling appliance: Leave this manual with appliance for future reference.
To consumer: Keep this manual for future reference.
www.SunstoneMP.com
Explore the innovative StarBBQ™ series, a premium collection of outdoor cooking solutions from
Sunstone Metal Products. All StarBBQ™ products are proudly designed and engineered at our facility in
North Austin, Texas. As a PROUD TEXAS COMPANY, we remain committed to delivering the highest
quality in every product we create.
StarBBQ™ offers versatile options for campfire, camping, and backyard adventures, including smokeless
fire pits, portable charcoal grills, and innovative grill inserts—all built with durable materials for reliable
performance.
Discover the StarBBQ™ Product Line by Sunstone Metal Products
Heavy-Duty Steel Fold-
Out Camper Griller
Griddle Combo |
STARBBQ-FUFP
Folding A-Frame Camper
Charcoal Grill – Portable
and Compact | StarBBQ-
AFCG
Rocket Stove Camper
Box – Military-Grade
Ammo Can Portable
Charcoal Stove |
STARBBQ-RSBBOX
24" Smokeless Fire Pit
Base Platform – Ultimate
Versatile Outdoor
Cooking Hub |
STARBBQ-24FPBS
24" Charcoal Griller Base
with Unlimited
Versatility and Upgrades,
like the Cart, Santa
Maria, Hood, Post-Griller
| STARBBQ-24CHBS
Ultimate Charcoal
Smoker & Pizza Oven
Combo Grill Cart – All-
in-One | STARBBQ-
34SMK
PACKAGE CONTENTS
• 24" Cold-Rolled Steel Powder Coated smokeless fire pit base platform with triangular base
• Stainless steel bowl
• This manual
• Optional accessories: Modular rims (smoker hood, Santa Maria, griddle, searing grate) sold
separately
PRE-INSTALLATION CUSTOMER CHECKLIST
PAGE 1
Before beginning installation, confirm that all items below are completed. Proper
preparation ensures correct airflow, safe operation, and true smokeless performance.
☐ Location & Safety Clearance
Choose a permanent installation location that maintains a minimum 12 ft clearance from
all buildings, overhangs, tree branches, fences, decks, and other combustible materials
(refer to the Safety section).
☐ Local Regulations Verified
Confirm compliance with all local fire codes, burn regulations, permits, and any air-quality
“No-Burn” restrictions applicable in your area.
☐ Ground Surface Prepared
Verify the installation surface is leveled, stable, and non-combustible, such as a paver
patio, gravel base, concrete slab, or bare earth for standalone mode, or countertop for
insert mode.
☐ Airflow Base Planned (Required)
Plan for proper elevation and airflow; the triangular base provides built-in elevation for
standalone use.
☐ Modular Rims Ready (If Purchased)
Ensure optional rims are compatible and tools-free for quick swaps.
☐ Surface Suitability Verified (Critical)
Confirm that the surface is flat and non-rough for stable placement.
☐ Safety Gear Ready
Have proper safety equipment available, including work gloves, safety glasses, and hearing
protection.
☐ Fire Safety Equipment Available
Ensure a garden hose, bucket of water, or fire extinguisher will be within immediate reach
of the final fire pit location.
The STARBBQ™ 24" Smokeless Fire Pit Base Platform (STARBBQ-24FPBS) is designed with
a modular rim system that allows for quick swaps to transform the base into various
cooking and heating configurations. Each rim drops onto the top edge of the stainless steel
bowl and secures with integrated clips for stability. Rims are constructed from high-quality
materials like 304 stainless steel or cast iron, ensuring durability, heat resistance, and easy
maintenance. They are sold separately or in bundles, enabling customization based on user
needs - from grilling and searing to smoking and ambient fire enjoyment.
Key Benefits:
• Versatility: Switch modes in minutes with basic tools like screwdriver.
• Compatibility: All rims fit the 24-1/4" base diameter precisely (23.5" inner fit for
secure seating).
• Performance Integration: Rims maintain the base's smokeless airflow while adding
specialized cooking surfaces.
• Materials: Rust-resistant, food-grade surfaces with high-temperature tolerance (up
to 800°F+ for select rims).
• Ease of Use: Handles or lifts included where applicable for safe handling.
Rims enhance the base's 50,000+ BTU output, supporting efficient fuel use with
hardwoods or pellets. Always ensure the base is cool before swapping rims to prevent
injury.
Detailed Rim Specifications:
Below is an expanded breakdown of each available modular rim, including dimensions,
materials, features, recommended uses, and maintenance tips. All rims share a 24"
width/diameter and 1-2" mounting depth for seamless integration.
Installation and Usage Guidelines for Modular Rims:
Preparation: Ensure the fire pit base is cool and clean. Remove any ashes from previous
use.
Attachment: Align the rim with the bowl's top edge. Press down until clips engage (audible
click).
Security Check: Gently tug to confirm stability. Do not use if loose.
Operation: Light the base per lighting instructions found in this manual. Adjust fuel for rim-
specific needs (e.g., low for smoking).
Swapping: Allow full cooling (at least 30 minutes) before removal. Lift via handles.
Safety: Use heat-resistant gloves. Never leave unattended. Keep children and pets away.
MODULAR RIMS – OVERVIEW
PAGE 2
HOW THE SMOKELESS SYSTEM WORKS
PAGE 3
The StarBBQ™ Smokeless Fire Pit Base Platform uses a natural two-stage combustion
process to dramatically reduce visible smoke while increasing heat output and fuel
efficiency. This system relies on proper airflow, precise geometry, and installation to
function correctly.
4. Secondary Combustion (Smoke Re-Ignition): The heated air is forced through the upper
ring of precision-drilled vent holes. When this hot, oxygen-rich air mixes with rising smoke and
unburned gases, it re-ignites smoke particles, burning them before they escape.
5. Clean, Efficient Flame: The result is a cleaner, hotter fire with dramatically reduced visible
smoke, fewer airborne particulates, and improved fuel efficiency. Once operating temperature is
reached, flames appear more vertical and stable, and smoke output is minimized.
Important:
For the smokeless system to work correctly, vents must remain unobstructed, and fuel must not
be stacked above the top row of air holes.
1. Primary Air Intake (Bottom
Feed): Fresh air is drawn in
through the bottom vents. This
primary airflow feeds oxygen
directly to the base of the fire,
allowing fuel to burn hotter and
more efficiently from the bottom
up.
2. Heat Expansion & Gas Rise:
As the fire burns, hot gases and
smoke naturally rise inside the
bowl. The design traps heat, pre-
heating incoming secondary air.
1. Select and Prepare the Final
Location:
Minimum 12 ft clearance from
all buildings, overhangs, fences,
tree branches, decks, and other
combustible materials, including
overhead clearance.
2. Create the Required Elevated
Base
The triangular base provides
built-in elevation. Place on level
ground.
3. Assemble the Fire Pit Base
The base is pre-assembled.
Place the stainless bowl into the
triangular base or countertop
cut-out.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION - STANDALONE
PAGE 4
4. Position and Level the Base
Place the base onto the surface.
Using a leveler, confirm it is perfectly
level in all directions. Adjust as
needed until level.
5. Provide Required Airflow Openings
Ensure vents are unobstructed.
6. Final Base Positioning and Seal
Check
Center the base. Confirm proper
alignment.
Your StarBBQ™ Smokeless Fire Pit Base Platform is now ready for its first fire. When
installed correctly, the system will deliver clean-burning flames, reduced smoke, and
years of safe outdoor enjoyment.
7. Optional Modular Rim
Installation
Drop the chosen rim onto the
base and secure with clips.
8. Final Inspection and Site Cleanup
Inspect for stability. Sweep the
area clean.
Follow these steps carefully to ensure proper break-in and optimal smokeless
performance:
1. Start Small
Place 3-4 small split logs or a loose teepee of dry kindling in the center of the pit. Avoid
tightly packing wood during initial lighting.
2. Maintain Proper Load Height
Keep all wood below the top row of air holes. Overloading the base prevents secondary
combustion and will produce excess smoke.
3. Ignition
Light the fire using matches, a fire starter, or a propane torch. Do not use lighter fluid or
chemical accelerants.
4. Initial Smoke Period
Some smoke during the first 10-20 minutes is normal. During this time, the base is
heating and the secondary combustion system has not yet fully activated.
5. Smokeless Operation Begins
As the base reaches operating temperature, secondary combustion ignites and visible
smoke will dramatically reduce or disappear entirely.
Once established, the fire can be maintained by adding seasoned hardwood or pellets in
moderate amounts, always keeping below the top air-hole line.
LIGHTING YOUR FIRST FIRE
PAGE 5
For the best smokeless performance, longest burn time, and minimal smoke, always use
seasoned, dry hardwood cut to lengths no longer than 18–20 inches.
Wood Type
Characteristics
Recommended Use
C
h
a
r
c
o
a
l
C
on
s
i
s
t
e
n
t
high
heat,
long
bu
r
n
,
minimal
smoke, easy to
li
g
h
t
Primary
f
u
e
l
–
i
d
e
a
l
for m
o
s
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a
m
p
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n
g
and
grilling s
e
ss
i
on
s
Oak
Very dense, slow-burning, high heat
output, excellent coals
Primary firewood – ideal for long,
hot fires
Hickory
Dense, hot-burning, great flavor and
aroma
Primary firewood – excellent for
cooking
Maple
Dense, hot-burning, good coals
Primary firewood
Cherry
Medium heat, pleasant sweet aroma,
some sparking
Great for evening fires and light
cooking
Birch
Burns quickly, bright flame, excellent
starter wood
Kindling / fire starter
Ash
Burns hot even when slightly damp,
easy to split
Excellent all
-purpose hardwood
Pine / Fir /
Redwood
High sap content, burns fast, heavy
smoke and creosote buildup
Not recommended
as primary fuel
Elm
Very dense, hard to split, smoky smell
Avoid
Chestnut
Low heat, heavy sparking and smoke
Avoid
Important:
• Never place wood above the top row of air holes on the insert. Overloading prevents
proper secondary combustion and will create smoke.
• Maximum recommended wood load: keep flames and logs below the top lip of the
insert.
Maintenance & Care
1. Ash Removal: Must remove ash after every fire, slide out the ash tray box and dump
the ashes.
2. Extinguishing the Fire Never pour water directly onto the hot stainless insert – this
can cause warping. Allow the fire to burn out completely and coals to cool naturally.
3. Weather Protection
o Always cover the fire pit with a lid or weather-resistant cover when not in use.
o Rainwater entering an uncovered insert can fill the base, block airflow, and
prevent smokeless operation until fully dried.
o In winter climates, remove any standing water or snow from inside the insert
before lighting.
FUEL & WOOD SELECTION
PAGE 6
