Propane fire pits allow you to enjoy the crackle and enchantment of a wood-burning fire without all of the smoke and mess that comes with it. Relax and watch the flames dance after you start the fire with a push of a button, twist of a knob, or flip of a switch — it’s really that easy. Matchless ignition, zero smoke inhalation, no ashes to cleanup or logs to tend to sure make propane a no brainer. Unlike traditional outdoor fireplaces and pits, it’s simple to adjust flame height and heat levels instantly, and some models even come with timers to ensure the fire doesn’t get forgotten and run late into the night after everyone has gone to bed. Read further to learn more about how to choose the best propane fire pit for your space.
Natural Gas vs. Propane
Propane can be more costly and does require a trip to the corner store to replace an empty tank, but it is more efficient than natural gas at producing heat, so you’ll use less propane than natural gas to achieve the same amount of heat and burn time. Standard propane tank fire pits are designed to hold and hide a 20-pound tank (or four and a half gallons of liquid propane), but homes that run on larger, permanent propane tanks can also be hooked up to a pit for constant gas (with the proper equipment, of course). Homes that already have an existing natural gas line may want to continue using that to power their gas fire pit, but you will want to examine projected costs before committing to this method.
Common Materials
There are two main materials that most propane outdoor fire pits are made of: metal and concrete. Each has their own pros and cons which you can find listed below:
- Metal: Steel and copper are commonly used to make fire pits. They’re desirable for their looks as well as their ability to be molded into many different shapes. Metal designs are often light enough to be moved around from place to place. The downside of using metal is that it gets hot to the touch from the flames and may rust over time.
- Concrete: Fire pits are often made of concrete because of its ability to stay cool to the touch and because it won’t rust.. While concrete is very durable, it’s also very heavy, so don’t plan on moving a concrete fire pit around your yard on a daily basis. Concrete is commonly chosen for its modern aesthetic and neutral palette.
- Filler: One of the fun parts in choosing an outdoor fire pit is the selection of filler materials. Take your pick from lava rocks, colorful fire glass, realistic ceramic logs and more. Depending on your model, you may be able to swap out the fillers periodically to bring an entirely new vibe to your space.
Top Features
- Gas conversion kit: If you’re considering hooking your outdoor propane fireplace up to a permanent gas line someday, look for a model that has an available gas conversion kit so you have the option to do so later on down the road.
- Portability: The beauty of propane is that it can be moved almost anywhere — just bring the tank along and you’re all set. Make sure it’s located in a safe spot, clear of landscaping, fences and of course your home, and that it’s sitting on top of a non-flammable surface, like concrete or gravel.
- Electronic ignition: You won’t have to worry about breaking of the matches or lighter to get these pits fired up. Most have an electronic ignition that safely sparks a flame and gets the fire roaring instantly with the push of a button. Most are equipped with a safety shut-off feature as well, so you won’t need to stress about anyone knocking the whole thing over and spreading an unwanted fire.
