For those metal ring pits with a cooking grate, you can build the fire on top of the grate for better airflow. If you can get air coming in underneath the fire

For those metal ring pits with a cooking grate, you can build the fire on top of the grate for better airflow. If you can get air coming in underneath the fire from all sides, it'll greatly reduce the smoke. And you also reduce the chances of smoke "chasing" the person that's sitting the closest, since they're not blocking a lot of airflow from the sides. Still not peak efficiency, but a lot less smoke.