Looking to enjoy your backyard late into the night? Here are five of the best gas fire pits to keep you warm, even if the weather can’t.
A good fire pit is the perfect addition to the backyard for anyone who wants to enjoy their outdoor space late into the evening.
Propane gas fire pits not only make keeping everyone warm a breeze with easy ignition and temperature control but also fall within the safety guidelines of many state or national laws.
In this guide, we’ll show you the best gas fire pits out there today, as well as the important features to look out for so that you can make the right choice for your patio and backyard.
Let’s get into it.
TACKLIFE 28-Inch Propane Fire Pit Table
The TACKLIFE table offers a relatively low-priced entry into the world of gas fire pits. This fire pit table is by no means cheap, but it’s much more affordable than some other options down the list.
The fire pit table boasts a design that’s both attractive and durable. To protect the table from outdoor elements, the steel elements are treated with a rustproof black coating. The side panels are also made of metal executed in a wicker style. Note that this isn’t real wicker – just metal with a wicker texture.
The tabletop of this fire pit table features a fence style and comes with a lid to cover the pit when it’s not needed. With the lid on, this item turns into a regular patio table – quite an attractive one, in fact.
The bottom compartment of the TACKLIFE table fits a standard 20-pound propane tank. Once you hook the tank to the table, you’ll be able to control propane flow with the adjustment knob on the side. The heat output in this fire pit table goes up to 50,000 BTU, which should be enough to keep you warm on colder days.
What’s also nice about this fire pit table is the 24-month warranty, which is great since most other products on this list have only 1-year coverage.
Outland Living Series Fire Table
The Outland Living Series fire table is a completely different kind of beast. If you want a fire pit table with wicker elements, then this one may be the right option for you. It’s quite expensive though, so you will have to dig deep into your pocket to get it.
Unlike the previous table fire pit, the sides and a small portion of the tabletop are covered with resin wicker. This wicker is weather-resistant and resistant to UV, so it shouldn’t fade anytime soon. Though you should cover it when not in use to extend its lifetime.
The tabletop in the Outland fire table is covered with tempered glass as well, which adds sleekness and durability to the table. The decorative glass rocks in the fire pit look gorgeous as well, and you may also purchase a glass wind guard to complement the aesthetics of this table.
The Outland table is also noticeably larger than the TACKLIFE table fire pit reviewed earlier, so it’s a better choice if you want more space to put things on.
The warranty on this table is 1 year, which is standard for table fire pits. However, after seeing the 2-year warranty of the TACKLIFE table, the 1-year warranty seems a bit underwhelming.
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Best Choice Products Fire Pit Table
This fire pit table from Best Choice Products is similar to the Outland table at the basics but differs in details.
The sides are once again covered with weather-resistant wicker, but the tabletop differs as it’s made of aluminum and is coated for weather resistance. The tabletop in this table is similar to the TACKLIFE table’s top, and you are again getting a removable lid to cover the pit when it’s not in use.
The tank storage compartment is a little more convenient as well – it slides out of the side of the table, which makes it a bit more accessible.
What’s also nice is that you are getting plenty of accessories with the Best Choice Products fire pit table – a cover and a glass wind guard. The glass wind guard is an especially nice addition since it not only protects the flames from wind but also contributes to the table aesthetically.
The Best Choice Products fire pit table is a little cheaper than the Outland table as well. Considering that it includes more accessories, you are getting better value for your money.
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Outland Firebowl Propane Gas Fire Pit
If you want a more traditional-looking gas fire pit, then the Outland Firebowl might be the best option for you. The Firebowl has a distinct design, and it also is much less expensive than other fire pits on this list.
The Firebowl boasts a steel construction of fairly decent quality and is weather-resistant. The burner is stainless steel, has a max output of 58,000 BTUs, and should easily withstand wear and exposure to outdoor elements.
Thanks to its compactness and lightness, you may bring the Firebowl along for a journey too. Or you may place it in your yard – we think it will work wonderfully in more rustic backyards.
Outland also includes lava rocks and a 10 feet hose with the Firebowl, and there are a number of other optional accessories available as well – a natural gas conversion kit, cover, and more. Outland covers the Firebowl with a 1-year warranty as well, which is nice for a product of this price.
One thing some people may dislike about the Firebowl is that the propane tank isn’t stored inside. You’ll have to put the tank somewhere beside the fire pit, which is not the greatest solution in terms of aesthetics.
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FIXKIT 30-Inch Propane Fire Pit Table
And lastly, we have this 30-inch propane fire pit table from FIXKIT. This fire pit table is very similar to the TACKLIFE table we’ve had at the beginning, but it’s slightly different.
Most importantly, the FIXKIT fire pit table is a little larger than the TACKLIFE table, so it offers more tabletop space. The price isn’t much different though, so the FIXKIT fire pit table is still a good choice if your budget is low.
What’s also nice about the FIXKIT table is that it comes with a table cover. Additionally, you are getting a lid for the fire pit, some lava stones, and the necessary hardware for installation.
The design and materials here are similar to what was offered by the TACKLIFE table too. The construction is based on iron and stainless steel, and the sides here are again made of metal with a wicker texture. FIXKIT offers a 2-year warranty for this table as well, which is plenty for the money.
What is a gas fire pit?
Fire pits are a great way to provide warmth and a cozy place to gather around. It is also a great excuse to show off a new feature in your backyard. It is often a great conversation focal point as it also warms the surroundings and adds a sense of being home and cozy. Gas fire pits are often used both as a functional outdoor structure and also as a decorative piece.
Designs may vary, as some are made to mimic real fire pits with traditional styles. They are also good for cooking in addition to adding warmth. In most cases, the design is such that it looks like a concrete pit that is built up, with wooden logs or coals burning. But this is all an illusion. The heat source is gas. They can also be used indoors, but this is dependent on the model and size. Just remember to take all the necessary safety precautions.
What are the advantages of gas fire pits?
Gas fire pits have various advantages, which is why people tend to opt for them. They may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they do tick a lot of boxes. Let us take a look at some of the advantages.
Cheap propane fuel cost
When buying a heat source, it is important to consider more than just the initial cost. Ask yourself what fuel is needed for it to run and also how available it is to you in your area. Most of the time, gas fire pits are favored because propane costs are low.
Propane is cheaper to get, and hence a gas pit that uses it will also be cheaper to run.
The other thing that makes propane cheap is that it is easy to get. Availability usually drives the price of any commodity up or down.
Quick start and stop
Whenever you start a fire using wood or coal, you may need to go through some gymnastics, especially if you are not accustomed to turning on a fire.
I still struggle with this, even though I’ve spent time in places where a fire was the only way to cook and stay warm in the house). Therefore, I’m a fan of the quick start and stop function of propane fires.
Fuel sources such as wood and coals take some time to turn off. Even after you’re done, they keep on burning for a while. As such, more fuel is used than necessary. Propane, on the other hand, turns on and off as soon as you turn the dial. It’s the same thing that happens when you use gas for cooking.
A significant safety advantage of propane gas models is that they are much easier to put out and extinguish. To switch off the gas fire, you simply need to turn a dial or even blow the flame out, depending on the type of gas fire pit that you have. The stove immediately goes cold when you switch it off. The same goes for a gas fire pit.
Traditional appearance
As much as we like the convenience that comes with using a gas fire pit, there are still some things that we like about the traditional fire pit. The classic look of a fire pit adds to the allure of an outdoor feature. The dingy walls, rugged look, with the wood showing from the top and assurance that the warm fire will continue to burn.
There’s something about the warmth and color, and smell of a crackling fire on a cold night that gives the ultimate comfort.
But sometimes, you don’t want to have to go through the manual labor of setting up the wood and starting the fire. In some cases, you may need to chop the wood so that it fits in the pit. But for most people, this is a lot of labor. A gas fire pit helps make your life much easier by simply using gas to start the fire but still maintaining the same look and feel as a traditional fire pit. This way, you could say that you get the best of both worlds.
Precision heat control
One aspect that makes traditional fire pits unpredictable is the lack of control over the heat they produce. While you may implore certain tricks such as removing or adding wood or stoking the fire to manipulate the temperatures, this is still not very precise.
A gas fire pit can be controlled precisely and to the last degree. This is the precision that makes it a good buy if you are looking for correct heat settings. Using small dials, you can control the amount of gas that is added to a flame. In turn, this will contain how “wild” the flame gets. It is this option that lets you be able to have these pits incorporated into dinner tables without fear of hurting your guests.
No mess or smoke
Using gas as an alternative to wood or coal means that there isn’t any manual labor or getting your hands dirty. You will also find that there is less smoke produced when you use gas. When wood burns, the smoke intensity can vary and can also be determined by the type of wood used. Some burn better than others.
On the other hand, propane produces a flame with no smoke or odor. Gas fires will also be void of soot or messes that come with traditional fires. Also, gas fires will not have ash to clean up afterward. This also makes it more environmentally friendly.
Features to look out for
Just as when you are buying any other appliance or gadget, it helps to know what you need to be on the lookout for so that efficacy is at an optimum level. One of the great things about these fire pits is the ability to customize how they look and make them your own. You can do this by using specific pit fillers, which we will look at later in this article.
BTU heat power
BTU is an abbreviation for British thermal units. It is a measure of energy necessary to heat a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. To be put in more understandable terms, the higher the BTUs, the more flames you can expect and hence the hotter it will be. As such, you must know how much heat you can expect from the gas fire pit. On a fire pit, BTU will normally be between 30 000 and 100 000. The higher the BTU is, the warmer the fire will be.
Ignition system
Traditional fires need you to know how to lay the wood and start the fire. The ignition system is not as easy as 1,2,3. However, this is a different scenario with gas fire pits. Thankfully for those who don’t like the hassle of wood fire starting, gas fire pits have spark ignition. This means that all you need to do is push a button to start the fire and enjoy the warmth.
Some use electronic ignition, while others need you to strike a single match. These are the basic three types of ignition systems that you can expect to find on a gas fire pit. Either way, all the above options for starting a fire are easy and don’t need a lot of know-how.
The light match system involves you holding up a match to the gas, with the tank’s valves open. The push-button ignition system is usually powered by a battery generally hidden within the unit housing the button. This system is often easy to install and also easy to maintain. The third is the electronic ignition system. One of the good things about this ignition system is that it is relatively safer.
Tank size
It is also important that you get the right size tank for your fire pit. A standard sized pit with an 18-inch ring will normally be okay with a 20-pound tank for the gas. Using this size tank on the medium setting, you should be able to go for about 3 to 4 hours.
Size & design
There are various designs, shapes, and sizes to choose from. When it comes to size, the purpose should be kept in mind. A 36-inch pit or smaller is often for more decorative purposes. Pits between 36 and 45 inches will usually be able to seat between 6 and 8 people. And pits between 45 and 60 inches can seat up to 12 people around. The smaller the yard, the smaller the pit.
Height is another factor that you will need to consider. Think about where you will be placing the unit and the fire pit seating arrangement around it. You can choose to have the pit at the coffee table level, which is approximately less than 23 inches high. At this level, you may be sitting on a lounging chair or sofa.
At 24 inches high and above, this is a comfortable chat height. At 29 inches, you can have the pit at dining table height. Some designs incorporate it into the table, making a great conversation starter and brilliantly functional and aesthetically pleasing centerpiece. At 38 inches high, the pit stands at cocktail table height.
You can get the pits in varying shapes that will suit your yard’s décor scheme in terms of design. His designs range from cylindrical pits to prisms, to squares and rectangles. Manufacturers continue to diversify the shapes to bring the look and feel of warmth with none of the dirt and soot of a traditional fire.
Design ranges from traditional looking to modern and edgy. The fire pit style is what you might expect it to be and looks like a pit with a fire blazing from it. The fire pit table looks like a table but has a pit in the middle, where the fire is set. It’s quite a spectacle and looks like the table is on fire, and yet the fire doesn’t seem to spread.
You may also get the pits coming in the form of a column or a bowl. Each of these styles works similarly. The design doesn’t affect functionality as much. It’s more about looking at the part than anything else.
Also, the design includes the fillers that you will use to enhance the appearance. Decorative pit fillers could be mosaic glass, pebbles, traditional lava rock, logs, or crystal fire stones, amongst many other options. Bear in mind that these are accessories to the pit. Unlike a traditional fire pit, these are just meant to sit and look pretty. The fillers add to the sparkle of it all.
Portability
The size of the pit will determine how portable it is. For instance, pits that are 36 inches or less can easily be moved about. These can be placed around pool areas or in yards that do not have too much space. Portability is a key feature to look for, especially if you need to move the pit around. This becomes a necessity if you have a rental home or if you want to travel with your unit.
FAQ
How much propane will my fire pit use?
The higher your flame, the more gas you will need to use. On a medium setting, 20 pounds of gas can last you up to 6 hours.
Can I cook over a propane fire pit?
It is not recommended to cook over a propane fire pit. While you can roast your marshmallows over it, cooking an entire meal is not tested or approved.
How many BTUs do I need?
For a space of 2 500 square feet, you will need 150 000 BTUs to heat it. You will need 90 000 BTUs while to heat an area of 550 square feet. You will need the fire pit to have 40 000 BTUs.
Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
