Top 8 Best Propane Gas Fire Pits for Your Pation in 2021
Nothing beats sitting around a cozy fire during chilly evenings, whether it’s with your family and friends or just alone having your ‘ME’ time. Wood burning fire pits will give you the most authentic bonfire experience, however, sometimes the smoke and maintenance are too much of a hassle and some states even have restrictions on wood burning fire pits. The solution is propane or natural gas fire pits. They are easy to use, no smoke or smell, and eco friendly. Today we are looking at the best propane fire pits for your patio in 2021.
The ASLA survey showed that fire pits are one of the most desired outdoor design elements in the USA. With thousands of various gas fire pit styles, designs, and types it might be hard to select one that best fits you. That’s why we wrote this detailed propane gas fire pit buyers guide. Continue reading, to see the advantages and disadvantages, and our list of the best propane gas fire pits for your patio in 2021!
Advantages and Disadvantages of Propane Fire Pit
Advantages
Eco friendly
All propane fire pits are eco-friendly and produce no pollution. The burning of clean gas creates no emission, thus reducing the carbon footprint.
Various Styles and Designs
There numerous different styles and designs of propane gas fire pits. No matter what style, color, or material your patio or deck is made of, you’ll be able to find a fitting propane gas fire pit.
No Smoke or Smell
Propane gas fire pits don’t produce any smoke or smell. No more coughing from a ball of smoke and smelling like a burned sausage the whole evening!
Easy to Use and Heat Control
Unlike wood burning fire pits you don’t have the hassle of setting up the firewood, igniting and kindling it. Propane gas tanks ignite instantly and can be turned off as easily. You also have the comfort to instantly increase or decrease the fire to your liking.
Requires Very Little Maintenance
No ash and amber cleaning, no scrubbing, or continuous fire kindling. Propane gas fire pits require little to no maintenance. Just change the gas tank when it’s empty and the party can continue.
Cons
Not as Authentic
Of course, propane gas fire pits aren’t as authentic as wood burning fire pits. You don’t have the smell and smoke of the burning wood which most associate with a real bonfire.
Less Heat than Wood Fire Pit
Hot ambers and fire from a large wood fire can create a lot of heat enough for large areas. Most propane gas tanks won’t provide as much heat. If you’re looking for a propane gas fire pit to heat you up during cold evenings go for a fire pit with a higher BTU, but don’t expect to warm up your whole backyard.
Can’t Use for Grilling
Propane gas fire pits are more for warming you up and aesthetics. You can not use it for a BBQ party and grill food on it. The main reason is that food drippings will get stuck on rocks, filler, and even gas valves. This can reduce the heating quality and will be very hard to clean.
Best Propane Fire Pit Reviews
Bond Manufacturing 54,000 BTU Aurora Propane Fire Pit
Let’s start off with a small propane fire pit from Bond Manufacturing. The small Aurora model produces a whopping 54,000 BTU heat which is more than enough to keep your guests warm on your patio or when camping.
The 18.5-inch size fire pit is perfect for camping, outdoor events, tailgating, but can be used on any deck or patio as well.
This small stainless steel round propane fire pit is very well built and even has a metal lid for easy storage and portability. Easy no-tools setup and auto-ignition allow enjoying a cozy fire in just a few minutes.
Simple but high-quality build, high BTUs, ease of use, and low price make the Aurora the best budget propane fire pit on our list.
Outland Firebowl Deluxe Propane Fire Pit
Another small propane fire pit for the camping and van-life fans. The Outland Firebowl Deluxe propane fire pit is 19-inch in diameter, weighs 23.3 lbs, and produces 58,000 BTU heat. You also get a cover, carry kit, and 4.4 lbs of natural lava rocks to fill the pit.
The durable high-quality steel construction is finished with a protective enamel coating. This gas fire pit isn’t afraid of rain, mud, or low temperatures as long as the burner is not clogged up.
Outland Deluxe small and lightweight fire pit is also CSA approved and can be used during most campfire bans (always check current fire restrictions in your area). Size, quality, and weight make the Outland Firebowl Deluxe the best portable propane fire pit on our list that won’t make a dent in your pocket.
Hiland GS-F-PC-SS 40,000 BT Propane Fire Pit
Don’t let your outdoor activities end when the evenings start to get colder. Hiland 24-inch height and 38-inch squared fire pit is perfect to keep 4-6 people warm around the table. The CSA-approved fire pit generates 40,000 BTU heat and can be positioned on any material decks, patios, and grass.
The Stainless steel table is really sturdy and robust so you’ll have no problem having dinner or drinks at the table. Also, you won’t need a separate hideaway table for your propane tank, there’s enough space to store it inside the table.
Hiland GS-F-PC-SS also has a 1-year warranty but should last you way longer. Sturdy build, large diameter, and beautiful design come at a higher price, but it’s money well spent as it is our best large propane fire pit for patios.
Bond Manufacturing Newcastle Propane Firepit
Looking to add a nice touch to your beautiful patio or just need to make your outdoor event a bit warmer? Take a look at the Newcastle Column propane fire pit from Bond Manufacturing.
This fire bowl looks a little like the smaller version of the Olympics fire bowl and will definitely turn the heads of your guests. The beautiful design fire bowl is a perfect addition to any outside area, deck, patio, or even pool.
The 40,000 BUT heat output is not the highest you’ll see on our list but is enough to provide intimate lighting and warmth to a small outdoor party. If the price is not an obstacle, the Newcastle fire bowl is probably the most beautiful propane fire pit for your backyard.
Bond Manufacturing 28in Woodleaf Fire Pit
Another Bond Manufacturing propane fire pit, what can we say, the company can make good fire pits! The Woodleaf 28-inch squared propane fire pit table produces 50,000 BTU heat, has a lid to use the pit as a table and can store your propane tank inside.
The size is perfect for 2-4 people to sit around and you can station it on any deck material. This nice looking Woodleaf fire pit isn’t exceptional or flashy but is of great quality and at a very good price point. Recommended for smaller budgets that still want a fire pit and table combination.
Endless Summer Propane Fire Table
We love the looks of this propane fire pit table! The lava rocks and wave design panels make it feel like you would be sitting near a real wood burning fire pit, just without the smoke and smell.
The Endless Summer propane fire table is made from steel and weighs close to 82 lbs. It’s not the most portable fire table but definitely a sturdy and long-lasting one. As with most fire pit tables, you can store your propane tank inside. Behind the table door, you’ll find the concealed heat control panel and electronic ignition system.
The only disadvantage of this fire table is the heat output. Endless Summer fire table has only 30,000 BTU. Unless you have very cold evenings this is a perfect propane fire pit choice that will be a beautiful addition to your backyard design.
BALI OUTDOORS Propane Gas Fire Pit Table
Bali Outdoors is a well know brand in the fire pit industry that continuously produces high-quality and good-looking fire pits. Their propane gas fire pit table is a very elegant mid-size fire table perfect for 2-4 people to enjoy a romantic atmosphere outdoors.
The 50,000 BTU gas burner is covered with beautiful glass stones to produce an incredibly cozy fire show. The pit top has 4 elegant tiles and a lid if you want to convert it to a dinner table or a bar.
All in all, large heat output, elegant design, and high-quality build come at a higher price point, but make the Bali Outdoors fire table the best propane gas fire pit on our list.
Femor 42-in Round Propane Fire Pit Table
Want to impress your friends? Check out Femor 42-inch round propane fire pit. This large round fire pit is perfect for larger outdoors social events as you can have 4-6 chairs or 10-16 people around it.
50,000 BTU heat output is plenty to heat medium to large size patios and decks. The electronic ignition and heat control panel makes it super easy to use and the hidden propane tank doesn’t get in the way when socializing.
The wood grain tabletop imitation and blue decorative glass filler look beautiful on any deck day or night.
The only disadvantage is the higher price, however, the elegant looks, high-quality design, and ease of use make it a worthwhile investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Cook Food Over Propane Gas Fire Pit?
Generally, we would advise against cooking on gas fire pits. The main reason being is that the drippings of meats, veggies, or marshmallows will stick to the decorative fillers and will be very hard to clean. When grilling over wood burning fire pits the drippings burn together with wood and get cleaned with ashes, while gas fire pit fillers aren’t discarded and will have to be cleaned.
If you’re buying a gas fire pit for pleasing aesthetics and low maintenance then avoid cooking over it.
How Long Will 20-pound Propane Tank Last?
A regular 20-pound propane tank will burn for about 10-12 hours. The length of the burn of course varies on the burners BTU and flame setting. If you have a powerful 54000 BTU burner and keep the flame on the highest level then your tank might last just 4-6 hours.
Can I Use Pea Gravel in Gas Fire Pit?
Pea Gravel, a porous rock, is not recommended in gas fire pits. Rocks that have small pores can have air and water trapped in them when wet. If you heat such rocks the steam inside can build quite a bit of pressure and even cause the rock to explode. It’s better to stay away from porous rocks and go with hard rocks like granite, marble, or decorative fillers.
Is it Safe to Use a Gas Fire Pit on a Wood Deck?
One of the biggest advantages of a gas fire pit is that you can use them on almost all kinds of decks and even grass. Non-combustible material decks like concrete, marble, or stone are the safest for any kind of fire pit. While combustible decks from wood, vinyl, or other recycled materials can catch fire pretty quickly. Most gas fire pits are ok to use on non-combustible material if the clearance is high enough. Always check manufacturers’ clearance and installation documentation for guidance.
