The great outdoors is best enjoyed around the fire pit. Whether you want a bit of supplemental heat or a statement centerpiece to gather around, fire pits give you plenty of options to choose from.
So where do you begin, and which fire pit is right for your home? From maintenance and features to recommended products, our fire pit buying guide has you covered.
Fire Pits
When you think of classic fire pits, you may think of simple holes in the ground. Modern fire pits are so much more than just holes.
Our fire pit selection comes in many different shapes, sizes, applications, and fuel types to best fit your needs. To start, let’s break down the different fuel types:
Natural Gas Fire Pits
Natural gas-powered fire pits offer supplemental warmth and plenty of ambiance without the harsh smoke and ash of a traditional fire. Many units are larger and fixed, making them an excellent, long-term fit for outdoor spaces, including patios, smaller open-air areas, and screened-in porches with the right precautions.
Here’s what else you need to know about gas fire pits:
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Installation: Most of our natural gas fire pits are made of concrete and require a natural gas line installation to use. Make sure you call a professional to install your new gas line and always check the manufacturer’s directions for other usage requirements.
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Features: Many natural gas fire pits have automated ignition capabilities, meaning you can turn them on and off at will. As for the heating capacity, most units generate up to 65,000 BTUs of heat.
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Shapes: They come in five different shapes: bowl, linear, oval, round, and square.
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Finishes/Styles: Choose from several different finishes in styles like contemporary, vintage, industrial, and modern. You can also expect some special decorative elements, like lava rock around the burners and hand-crafted finishes
- Maintenance/Safety: Once you turn off your natural gas fire pit, the flame is extinguished. That means you won’t have any embers to clean up after you’re done. Each gas fire pit has a different level of outdoor/weather resilience, so it’s important to check the owner’s manual for safety and maintenance recommendations. In addition to this step, regular maintenance by a professional technician is also recommended.
Wood Burning Fire Pits
Modern wood-burning fire pits are a step above the wood-burning products of yesterday. Instead of a set space—like a hole in the backyard—the majority of these fire pits come in metal bowl-like containers for a portable, patio-safe fire area. And just like typical wooden fuel sources, our wood-burning fire pits take wood logs, chips, and pellets.
Want that classic wood-burning fire pit with a contemporary twist? Here are some of the details to note:
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Installation: Most of our wood-burning fire pits are bowl-shaped and easy to reposition from space to space. There are no additional considerations required, so once everything’s set up and positioned via the manufacturer’s directions, it’s ready for use.
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Features: There are a variety of features to explore, including built-in designs, units with sides and doors, covers, and spark guards. The heat output varies based on the amount of wood you use, the space you place your fire pit, and other weather-specific factors.
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Shapes: Shapes include bowls, trilateral constructions, squares, and linear options.
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Finishes/Styles: Many of these fire pits are hand-crafted for an artisan look while others look more contemporary or industrial.
- Maintenance/Safety: Due to the open flame, there is a higher risk with wood-burning fire pits compared to others. Our fire pits are designed to keep the fire maintained and under control, but it’s important to check the manufacturer's directions and always follow fire safety rules.
Propane Fire Pits
Just like natural gas-powered fire pits, propane fire pits give you warmth like a wood-burning fire without the drawbacks of ash, smoke, and real flames. Some units also have auto ignition capabilities for an easier way to start and stop your fire.
Check out these need-to-know essentials before your purchase:
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Installation: Since propane fire pits are powered by an attachable tank versus a plumbed natural gas line, they’re freestanding and flexible instead of fixed to a specific area. These units work best on patios and open-air spaces outdoors, but they’re also compatible with screened-in porches after the proper precautions have been taken. Check the manufacturer’s directions for more product specifics and placement information.
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Features: Propane fire pits give off heat immediately after you turn them on. The amount of heat will vary from unit to unit, but many will produce around 65,000 BTUs of heat.
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Shapes: Propane fire pits are available in many shapes—like bowls, squares, and rectangles.
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Finishes/Styles: Choose from 9 different finishes in styles like contemporary, industrial, and vintage.
- Maintenance/Safety: Place your propane fire pit at least 10 feet from your home, other buildings, and flammable landscaping. In general, stay up to date on the condition of your unit, routinely checking for operation problems. Additional safety protocols as well as maintenance and troubleshooting information will be found in the manufacturer’s directions.
Tables
Enjoying the roaring fire is even better with some food and a drink. So why not bring the fire pit to your table?
Fire pits in table form give you the ideal all-in-one entertainment center. With the fire pit as the centerpiece, you’ll receive a functional tabletop combined with a heating source for an experience as warm as the company you keep.
Does a fire pit and table combination fit your backyard? There are two main categories to consider:
Fire Pit Tables
A fire pit table or fire table is a smaller, coffee-sized table outfitted with a natural gas of propane burner. They produce some heat and plenty of up-close flair. If you want something that’s stylish and cozy with a place for food and beverages, fire pit tables are the way to go.
Here’s what else you need to know:
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Installation: Fire pit tables are portable and easy to install at your home or business. Many units come with an installation kit and take both gas and propane but check the manufacturer’s directions for the specific installation details.
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Features: Enjoy tabletop heating and decorative fire elements alongside other amenities like Bluetooth connectivity. Some units can produce up to 75,000 BTUs of heat, but the exact amount will vary from unit to unit.
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Shapes: Fire pit tables are available in square, linear, and bowl shapes.
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Finishes/Styles: There are many different styles to choose from, including contemporary, modern, rustic, and vintage.
- Maintenance/Safety: A fire pit table is designed to produce flames that are within safe levels. For extra safety, make sure to place your table on a non-combustible surface and supervise it when in use.
Tabletop Fire Pits
While fire pit tables feature built-in fire pits, tabletop fire pits are like miniature fire pits you can move from surface to surface. You’ll get real flames that bring plenty of ambiance to your party.
See what else to expect with a tabletop fire pit:
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Installation: Tabletop fire pits are portable and can be placed on non-combustible surfaces. These special fire pits operate off propane and bio-ethanol fuel sources that need to be refilled for proper use. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s directions for specifics.
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Features: Available features range from eco-friendly flames and hours-long burn times to flames with artful spinning and dancing effects.
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Shapes: Many units are bowl-shaped while others are rectangular.
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Finishes/Styles: For your style choices, each one takes on a contemporary/modern design scheme.
- Maintenance/Safety: In addition to keeping tabletop fire pits off combustible surfaces, always use your unit according to the manufacturer’s directions and continue to monitor it while in use.
Fire Columns
A fire column is a tall, pillar-shaped fire pit with a small spout or bowl of flame at the top. It’s a lot like a torch, but much more portable and higher powered. Here are some other essential details:
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Installation: Fire columns are quick and easy to assemble and perfect for moving around. To use your column, install a one lb. propane tank and activate it using the electronic ignition system.
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Features: Each model features an electronic ignition, 10,000 BTUs of heating power, and storage for a one lb. propane tank.
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Shapes: These special fire pits are available in column form only.
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Finishes/Styles: Our small and medium-sized fire columns are built in a contemporary design style
- Maintenance/Safety: Check the manufacturer’s directions and always follow general fire safety practices.
Fire Pit Shopping FAQs and Shopping Tips
Still need some help picking your fire pit? Here are some answers to your frequently asked fire pit shopping questions:
What Are BTUs?
BTU stands for British thermal unit. It’s a measurement that represents the heating outputs of heating units, like firepits. The higher the BTU rating, the higher the heating capacity of a specific unit.
Does It Matter Which Fuel Source I Choose?
Each fuel type has different pros and cons to consider.
For example, natural gas units are efficient and clean but require a gas line installation in a set position. Wood-burning fire pits provide plenty of ambiance and that classic fire feel, but you’ll also deal with harsher smoke and ashes to clean up. Propane fire pits are portable and easy to refuel, but you’ll keep needing to purchase fuel tanks to operate them.
This blog post offers a more in-depth explanation of the different types of fuel sources.
Are There Any Accessories I Can Add to My Order?
Fire pits are even better with the right accessories. From logs and rocks to lava glass and rock, there’s something for everyone and every backyard.
Who Can I Contact About My Order?
Have a specific question about your order? Reach out to our customer support team for extra assistance.
Ready to secure your perfect fire pit?