Fire Pits

What Is a Fire Pit and How Does It Work?

A fire pit is an outdoor fire feature designed to provide warmth, ambiance, and a gathering point for residential or commercial spaces. Fire pits may burn natural gas, liquid propane, wood, or ethanol, depending on the model.

How to Choose the Right Fire Pit

The right fire pit fits your available space, preferred fuel source, installation requirements, and intended use. Start by deciding whether you want the convenience of gas, the flexibility of propane, or the traditional experience of a wood fire. Then compare the fire pit’s size, heat output, ignition system, materials, clearances, and certification.

Fire pits are available as complete freestanding units, fire pit tables, decorative bowls, portable models, built-in kits, and individual burner systems for custom construction. Some are designed mainly for visual ambiance, while larger, higher-output models can provide noticeable warmth for seating areas.

Types of Fire Pits

Natural Gas Fire Pits

Natural gas fire pits connect to a permanent gas supply line. They provide continuous fuel without requiring tank changes, making them well-suited to frequently used patios, pool areas, restaurants, hotels, and built-in outdoor living projects.

Natural gas is generally best for a permanent installation. The gas line must be correctly sized for the burner’s BTU requirement, and should be installed by a professional.

Propane Fire Pits

Propane fire pits use a refillable liquid propane tank and do not require a permanent gas connection. Many models conceal the tank inside the base or connect to a separate tank enclosure.

Propane is a practical choice for patios without an existing gas line and for buyers who want more flexibility in placement. A propane model is not automatically portable; however, always check the product weight, tank arrangement, and installation instructions before moving it.

Wood-Burning Fire Pits

Wood-burning fire pits create an open fire with real logs. They are available in classic bowls, heavy-duty steel designs, and handcrafted styles.

Wood models require dry firewood, ash cleanup, and more active fire management than gas models. They may also be restricted during burn bans or prohibited by local air-quality, wildfire, HOA, or municipal regulations.

Fire Pit Tables

Outdoor fire pit tables combine a central flame and a surrounding tabletop ledge. They're great for conversation areas where guests gather around the fire, enjoying refreshments.

Some models are coffee-table height, while fire pit dining tables provide a taller surface intended for outdoor meals and entertaining. Note: Never place food, paper, plastic, or other heat-sensitive objects near the burner opening.

Fire Bowls & Fire-and-Water Features

Fire bowls are compact, sculptural flame features for patios, entry areas, pool decks, and landscape projects. They are commonly made from GFRC concrete, metal, copper, or stone-like materials.

Fire and water bowls combine a gas flame with a separate circulating water feature. These models require coordinated gas, water, drainage, and sometimes electrical connections. They are typically planned with a pool contractor, landscape designer, or qualified installer.

Gas Fire Pit Kits

Gas fire pit kits are designed for custom-built enclosures. Depending on the kit, the package may include a burner, pan, ignition components, gas connections, controls, and approved fire media.

Kits are useful when a contractor, designer, or homeowner wants a specific enclosure shape or finish. 

Fire Pit Burners

Fire pit burners and burner inserts are intended for custom fire features or replacement applications. They come in round, square, rectangular, linear, H-style, and more.

Portable Fire Pits

Portable fire pits are designed for mobility. Options may include compact wood-burning bowls and propane fire pits with self-contained or separately housed tanks.

However, portable doesn't mean suitable for every location. The unit must still be used outdoors on an approved surface with the clearances stated in its manual.

Fire Pit Burner and Ignition Types

Match-Lit Ignition

A match-lit fire pit is manually ignited with a long lighter or a match. It is the simplest gas ignition option and usually does not require electricity.

Push-Button Spark Ignition

Push-button ignition creates a spark near the burner to light the gas. Depending on the system, it may be battery-powered and use flame-sensing safety components such as a thermocouple or safety pilot valve.

Electronic Ignition

Electronic ignition lights and monitors the burner through powered controls. Depending on the model, it may support a wall switch, timer, remote control, pool controller, home automation system, or emergency shutoff.

Standing-Pilot Systems

A standing-pilot system maintains a small pilot flame that ignites the main burner when heat is requested. These systems may include a thermocouple (one sensor/junction, low voltage) or a thermopile (a bundle of thermocouples, higher voltage) that stops gas flow if the pilot flame goes out.

How to Choose the Right Fire Pit Size

Choose a fire pit that leaves enough room for the manufacturer’s required clearances, comfortable seating, and clearance for movement. Measure the full installation area rather than selecting a model based only on burner dimensions.

• Small balconies and compact patios: First, confirm that open-flame appliances are permitted. Consider a compact bowl or table only when the model, building rules, and required clearances allow it.
• Standard backyard seating areas: Round, square, and coffee-table-height models work well when guests can sit around multiple sides without blocking pathways.
• Large patios and courtyards: Linear or oversized fire pits can provide a stronger visual focal point and distribute flames across a longer seating arrangement.
• Dining areas: Select a purpose-built dining-height fire table with sufficient tabletop surface and manufacturer-required separation between the burner and usable surface.
• Commercial projects: Account for traffic flow, accessibility, emergency shutoff requirements, supervision, wind exposure, and the authority having jurisdiction.

Fire Pit Safety, Codes, and Certification

A fire pit must be installed and operated based on its product manual, local codes, and the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction. Rules vary by city, county, state, building type, fuel, and installation location.

• Confirm that open flames are allowed by your city, HOA, landlord, property manager, or commercial building authority.
• Follow the exact clearances listed for the selected model rather than relying on a universal distance.
• Keep the flame away from walls, siding, fences, furniture, umbrellas, trees, overhangs, ceilings, and other combustible materials.
• Do not use an outdoor fire pit indoors, in a garage, or in an enclosed area unless the product is specifically listed and approved for that application.
• Never operate a fire pit under a combustible roof or overhang unless the manual and local authority specifically permit the installation.
• Place freestanding models on a stable surface recommended by the manufacturer. Do not assume a product is safe for a wood or composite deck.
• Provide any manufacturer-required ventilation, access, and drainage for tanks, controls, burners, and enclosures.
• Keep burner ports and ventilation openings clear of excess media, leaves, water, insects, and debris.
• Use only fire media approved by the manufacturer and maintain the required clearance around ignition components.
• Never leave an operating fire pit unattended, and keep children and pets away from hot surfaces.
• Do not operate the fire pit during high winds, gas leaks, burn bans, or other unsafe conditions.
• Allow the appliance and media to cool fully before covering, cleaning, moving, or servicing it.

What Fire Pit Certification Should You Look For?

For an outdoor gas fire pit, look for certification or listing information that applies to the complete appliance or burner system. ANSI Z21.97 and CSA 2.41 are commonly referenced North American standards for outdoor decorative gas appliances.

A product may be tested or listed by an independent certification organization such as CSA, ETL/Intertek, or another recognized laboratory. Certification requirements vary by location and project type, and not every component sold for a custom fire pit is certified as a complete appliance.

For commercial, multifamily, hospitality, rooftop, or permitted installations, confirm the required listing, ignition safeguards, electrical requirements, shutoff controls, and documentation with the architect, engineer, contractor, and local authority before your purchase.

What Is the Best Fire Pit for You?

• Best for convenient everyday use: Choose an outdoor gas fire pit with adjustable flames and a listed ignition system.
• Best without an existing natural gas line: Choose a propane fire pit with accessible tank storage and enough ventilation.
• Best for a permanent outdoor renovation: Choose a natural gas fire pit, burner kit, or built-in system planned with your contractor.
• Best for traditional campfire ambiance: Choose a wood-burning fire pit where local codes and burn restrictions allow it.
• Best for entertaining: Choose a fire pit table with enough usable surface area and comfortable seating clearance.
• Best for poolside design: Choose a fire bowl or fire-and-water bowl rated for the planned installation and environmental conditions.
• Best for designers and contractors: Choose a burner or complete fire pit kit with documented enclosure, ventilation, fuel, ignition, and certification requirements.
• Best for hotels, restaurants, and commercial properties: Choose a commercial-appropriate system with the ignition safeguards, controls, listing, and shutoff features required by the AHJ, architect, engineer, and code requirements.

Not sure which fire pit is right for your space? Our experts can help you compare brands, models, and installation options. Call or text 866-713-2399 or email support@modernblaze.com for personalized recommendations.