Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit And Outdoor Heater Review And Rating

With two separate propane burners, the Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit and Outdoor Heater aims to keep everyone comfortable.

Gathering around a backyard fire pit is a great way to spend a cool evening—until you realize only those closest to the flames stay warm. To spread out the warmth, the Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit and Outdoor Heater has two separate propane burners: one for the flames and another that radiates heat all around the unit. The combination lets you enjoy a flickering fire, extra warmth, or both. And because it runs on propane, you don’t have to wait for logs to get going or constantly tend the fire.

From box to backyard

The Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit and Outdoor Heater requires virtually no assembly beyond adding the supplied ceramic lava rocks to the top of the unit. Position the Fireside360 in an appropriate outdoor location, arrange the rocks according to the instructions, and connect your LP tank.

That simplicity is part of its appeal. Unlike a wood-burning fire pit, getting started doesn’t involve stacking logs, lighting kindling, and waiting for a fire to establish itself.

Dimensions

The Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit and Outdoor Heater stands about 28.8 inches tall and measures 21.8 inches across, giving it a compact footprint for a patio or deck. It weighs approximately 40 pounds, so it’s worth considering how often you’ll want to move it between uses. Covers are sold separately.

Two burners with independent controls

Ninja’s Heatzone™ Technology pairs two independently controlled burners, each managed by its own dial.

The lower, wrapping radiant burner delivers 49,000 BTUs and is designed to distribute warmth in a full 360-degree circle. The goal is to warm people seated around the unit rather than concentrate the heat in one direction.

A separate top burner produces decorative flames through the ceramic lava rocks, delivering another 31,000 BTUs. Run both burners at their maximum settings and the combined output reaches 80,000 BTUs.

Independent controls give the Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit and Outdoor Heater more flexibility than a conventional fire pit. On a mild evening, you can enjoy the top flame without running the dedicated radiant heater. When temperatures drop, turn on the wrapping burner for additional warmth. You can also use the radiant heater without the decorative flame on top.

How to light the Ninja Fireside360

Both burners use the same straightforward ignition process. First, turn your LP tank valve to the open position. Push the desired burner dial in fully, then turn it counterclockwise to the ignite position.

Once the burner lights, keep the dial firmly pressed in for 10 seconds. This step matters even if you can already see flames or feel heat: holding the dial allows the thermocouple safety system to engage and keep the gas flowing. Release it too soon, and the safety valve will shut off the burner.

After ignition, use the respective dials to adjust the radiant heat (dial identified on the unit as “heater”) and decorative flame (dial identified on the unit as “flame”) independently. Follow the owner’s manual if a burner fails to light or stay lit.

Both the “heater” and “flame” dials can be adjusted from the highest setting on the left side of the dial and the lowest setting on the far right of the dial.

Warmth around the fire

The dedicated radiant burner is the feature that most clearly distinguishes the Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit and Outdoor Heater from a basic propane fire pit. Instead of relying solely on heat from the decorative flames, it adds a separate source intended to warm people around the entire unit.

That design is particularly appealing for backyard gatherings, where everyone wants a comfortable seat without constantly moving closer to the fire. Actual comfort and useful heating distance will depend on the outdoor temperature, wind, seating arrangement, and burner settings.

I tested the Fireside360 at 65°F with very light wind. On high, the heat was too intense within 2 feet, comfortable at 3–4 feet, and barely noticeable at 5–6 feet. On low, it felt just right at 2½–3 feet. That seating distance provides room for approximately 10 chairs, depending on their size and spacing. Expect the comfortable heating range to shrink as temperatures drop or the wind picks up.

The separate top flame preserves the visual appeal of a fire pit while letting you adjust the dedicated heating output to suit the evening.

Flames without the wood smoke

For anyone who enjoys an outdoor fire but dislikes smoke drifting into their face or clinging to their clothes, propane offers a practical advantage. The Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit and Outdoor Heater provides flames without flying embers, irritating smoke, or leftover ash.

There’s also no need to keep adding logs throughout the evening. Adjust the burners as needed, then shut down the unit by simply turning the knobs to the off position and closing the valve on your propane tank.

It’s a different experience from a crackling wood fire, but the convenience is easy to appreciate. There’s less preparation before guests arrive and no burning embers to worry about when you are ready to head inside for the night.

Placement and clearances

The Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit and Outdoor Heater is strictly for outdoor use. Never operate it indoors or in an enclosed space because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Required clearances include at least 3 feet around all sides and 7.5 feet above the unit. Keep furniture and combustible materials outside those clearances. A covered patio is suitable only when it provides sufficient open ventilation and meets all placement and clearance requirements in the owner’s manual.

According to Ninja, the unit can be used on stone, stone pavers, grass, and wood decking when positioned and operated on a stable, level location as directed. Smoke-free operation does not eliminate the need for ventilation or clearance from combustible materials.

Conclusion

The Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit and Outdoor Heater combines the atmosphere of a propane fire pit with the warmth of a dedicated radiant heater. Separate controls let you enjoy decorative flames, surrounding heat, or both, without the hassle of hauling wood, tending a fire, or cleaning out ashes.

That flexibility makes it a welcome addition to your outdoor spaces on cool evenings. Choose flames alone for ambiance, heat alone for warmth, or turn on both when the temperature drops. At $500, it offers reasonable value for anyone looking to extend patio season with less fuss. We award it our Gold Medal.

Warranty

The Ninja Fireside360 carries a two-year limited warranty from the date of purchase, covering manufacturing defects and workmanship issues under normal household use. Coverage excludes normal wear and tear, misuse, abuse, unauthorized repairs or modifications, and commercial or rental use.