Burly USA sells fire pits and related products. The company plans to roll out two new offerings, a larger version of an existing fire pit and a fire-pit insert, in 2024. (Photos courtesy Burly USA)
Continuing with its goal of selling American-made fire pits, Henrico-based Burly is looking to new products to spark increased momentum in its fifth year in business.
The company, owned by Miles Clarkson and a group of silent partners, is planning a launch this year of a larger version of its portable Virginian fire pit, as well as a new fire-pit insert.
Slated to hit shelves first is the new insert, a device that fits into a customer’s existing stone or concrete fire pit to protect the structure from flames.
The new inserts are expected to retail for $350 to $400, which will give Burly a lower-priced companion to its existing Comfort fire-pit inserts that sell for $800 to $1,000.
Clarkson said inserts are an in-demand item with few American-made options, which made the category seem like a good fit for Burly and its domestically manufactured products.
“We feel like there’s a niche there. There aren’t many producers in the U.S. making them and there’s a huge market for them,” Clarkson said.
The new insert, which hasn’t yet received an official name, is lighter than the Comfort product at 10 pounds and comes in square and round shapes.
Miles Clarkson
Also set to fuel Burly’s expansion in 2024 is a larger version of its Virginian portable fire pit, which the company introduced last year.
The new Virginian will feature a 24-inch diameter opening, which is larger than the original version’s 20-inch diameter space that holds burning wood.
A cost for the new model of the Virginian, which is slated to launch in the late spring or early summer, is still being determined. The original Virginia sells for $895 on Burly’s website and weighs 48 pounds.
The new products come as the latest expansion for Burly, which launched in summer 2019 in a bid to create a better fire pit with a smoke-reducing design.
Clarkson said he became familiar with the world of reduced-smoke fire pits through his work in the hardscapes industry and felt he could develop a new product that’s more durable.
“We weren’t the first but when I saw a few come out, I thought we could build something better,” he said. “We hit the ground running with a prototype and designed what we think is the best reduced-smoke fire pit in the market.”
Burly launched with its Gather model, a 72-pound, two-piece mobile fire pit that sells for $798 on the company’s website, and later introduced the smaller, less expensive Scout model. The Virginian model followed in fall 2023.
Clarkson said the company has sold “thousands” of fire pits since it was founded. In addition to fire pits and inserts, Burly also sells grills that attach to the pits and accessories.
Clarkson said six to eight people can sit around a Burly fire pit. The outdoors enthusiast said the company sees itself as a brand that brings people together to share experiences.
“We’re trying to create a lifestyle. Be outside, be with family and friends. Sit down and enjoy a nice fire,” Clarkson said.
A fire-pit insert sold by Burly USA.
Burly sells its items through wholesalers and direct to customers via its website. In the Richmond region, Burly products can be found at Green Top in Hanover, Watkins Nursery in Midlothian and Pleasants Hardware stores. The company also has a presence in stores in North Carolina and several other states.
The company is based in a 2,000-square-foot space on Bethlehem Road. Clarkson declined to share the specific address of the warehouse and headquarters facility. The company’s products are made by a manufacturer based in Louisa County.
Clarkson is the managing partner of a group of four co-owners of Burly, who are silent partners in the venture. Burly has contracted with Pruitt Resources to handle marketing and branding, including the company’s tagline of “No bad seat at the fire.”
In addition to running Burly, Clarkson also works as a sales and business development representative for Peerless Block & Brick, a West Virginia-based manufacturer and distributor of masonry and hardscape products. Clarkson helped launch NewLine Hardscapes in 2012.
Burly USA sells fire pits and related products. The company plans to roll out two new offerings, a larger version of an existing fire pit and a fire-pit insert, in 2024. (Photos courtesy Burly USA)
Continuing with its goal of selling American-made fire pits, Henrico-based Burly is looking to new products to spark increased momentum in its fifth year in business.
The company, owned by Miles Clarkson and a group of silent partners, is planning a launch this year of a larger version of its portable Virginian fire pit, as well as a new fire-pit insert.
Slated to hit shelves first is the new insert, a device that fits into a customer’s existing stone or concrete fire pit to protect the structure from flames.
The new inserts are expected to retail for $350 to $400, which will give Burly a lower-priced companion to its existing Comfort fire-pit inserts that sell for $800 to $1,000.
Clarkson said inserts are an in-demand item with few American-made options, which made the category seem like a good fit for Burly and its domestically manufactured products.
“We feel like there’s a niche there. There aren’t many producers in the U.S. making them and there’s a huge market for them,” Clarkson said.
The new insert, which hasn’t yet received an official name, is lighter than the Comfort product at 10 pounds and comes in square and round shapes.
Miles Clarkson
Also set to fuel Burly’s expansion in 2024 is a larger version of its Virginian portable fire pit, which the company introduced last year.
The new Virginian will feature a 24-inch diameter opening, which is larger than the original version’s 20-inch diameter space that holds burning wood.
A cost for the new model of the Virginian, which is slated to launch in the late spring or early summer, is still being determined. The original Virginia sells for $895 on Burly’s website and weighs 48 pounds.
The new products come as the latest expansion for Burly, which launched in summer 2019 in a bid to create a better fire pit with a smoke-reducing design.
Clarkson said he became familiar with the world of reduced-smoke fire pits through his work in the hardscapes industry and felt he could develop a new product that’s more durable.
“We weren’t the first but when I saw a few come out, I thought we could build something better,” he said. “We hit the ground running with a prototype and designed what we think is the best reduced-smoke fire pit in the market.”
Burly launched with its Gather model, a 72-pound, two-piece mobile fire pit that sells for $798 on the company’s website, and later introduced the smaller, less expensive Scout model. The Virginian model followed in fall 2023.
Clarkson said the company has sold “thousands” of fire pits since it was founded. In addition to fire pits and inserts, Burly also sells grills that attach to the pits and accessories.
Clarkson said six to eight people can sit around a Burly fire pit. The outdoors enthusiast said the company sees itself as a brand that brings people together to share experiences.
“We’re trying to create a lifestyle. Be outside, be with family and friends. Sit down and enjoy a nice fire,” Clarkson said.
A fire-pit insert sold by Burly USA.
Burly sells its items through wholesalers and direct to customers via its website. In the Richmond region, Burly products can be found at Green Top in Hanover, Watkins Nursery in Midlothian and Pleasants Hardware stores. The company also has a presence in stores in North Carolina and several other states.
The company is based in a 2,000-square-foot space on Bethlehem Road. Clarkson declined to share the specific address of the warehouse and headquarters facility. The company’s products are made by a manufacturer based in Louisa County.
Clarkson is the managing partner of a group of four co-owners of Burly, who are silent partners in the venture. Burly has contracted with Pruitt Resources to handle marketing and branding, including the company’s tagline of “No bad seat at the fire.”
In addition to running Burly, Clarkson also works as a sales and business development representative for Peerless Block & Brick, a West Virginia-based manufacturer and distributor of masonry and hardscape products. Clarkson helped launch NewLine Hardscapes in 2012.
Way to go Miles! You will be hard pressed to find someone as passionate about outdoor living and the outdoors as Miles Clarkson. “Live Outside!”
Nice stuff. If you’re going to buy one of these fire pits, be sure to get the spark screen. They are a good idea everywhere and are required at places such as Wintergreen. https://www.wtgpoa.org/news-updates/recreational-fire-rules
Wait a minute.
An insert for a fire pit to protect something that is meant to be flaming from flames?
Is this serious or a joke?