Gas Fire Pits

A gas fire pit burns propane or natural gas through a burner set under a bed of fire-rated glass or lava rock, so nothing solid is consumed and the fire ends when the valve closes. This collection spans fire bowls, fire and water bowls, fire pit tables and freestanding sculptural pits in concrete, copper, corten and stainless steel, with match lit and electronic ignition across the range.

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Outdoor Gas Fire Pits, Fueled by Propane or Natural Gas

A gas fire pit burns gas through a burner hidden under a bed of fire-rated glass or lava rock. Nothing solid burns, so there is nothing to feed and no ash to clear. The fire is out the moment you close the valve.

That is the trade against a wood-burning fire pit. You give up the crackle and the woodsmoke, and you get a fire you can end at bedtime.

The Fuel Is Chosen When You Order, Not Later

Propane and natural gas arrive at different pressures, so the burner ships set up for one of them. On most models here you pick the fuel as an option when you order. Some manufacturers sell a conversion kit and some do not, so confirm it for the model before counting on a switch later.

Output can differ by fuel too. American Fyre Designs rates most of its fire tables higher on natural gas, commonly 60,000 BTU against 50,000 on propane.

Propane fire pits suit a patio with no gas service, finished hardscape you would rather not trench, or a fire pit that may move. The tank has to live somewhere, and it will run out. Natural gas fire pits never run out mid-evening, at the cost of a gas line run by an installer licensed in your area.

Bowls, Tables and Sculptural Pits Suit Different Spaces

Fire bowls are the vessel and nothing else, so they read as an object in the landscape rather than furniture. Most have no space for a propane tank, so on propane the tank sits alongside under a cover.
Fire and water bowls pair a flame with a spill of water, which is why they show up beside pools. They need water and drainage planned along with the gas.
Gas fire pit tables give you a ledge for drinks, and many hide a propane tank in the base behind an access door. Coffee, dining and bar heights decide whether people lean back or eat at it.
Freestanding sculptural pits sit between the two: too tall and deliberate to read as a bowl, with no tabletop. Fire Pit Art builds this format by hand in carbon and stainless steel.

Building your own enclosure instead? Gas fire pit kits give you the burner and pan to drop into it.

A Wood Deck Is Allowed by Some Makers, Not Others

The model settles this, not the category, because manufacturers disagree. Top Fires by The Outdoor Plus requires non-combustible flooring under all of its fire features. On a wood deck, that means non-combustible floor paneling installed underneath, with 48 inches of clearance around the unit and 96 inches overhead.

EcoSmart Fire says the opposite about its own tables. Its manual allows the table and its propane tank cover directly on a wood deck, as long as the feet stay on and the side and overhead clearances are kept. Read the manual for the model you are buying, and assume non-combustible flooring until it says otherwise.

Match Lit Needs No Power; Electronic Ignition Does

Match lit is the simplest system: a key valve, a long lighter, and no electricity anywhere near the fire pit. Electronic ignition adds push-button or remote start, and all-weather systems relight the flame on their own after a gust.

Electronic ignition needs power at the fire pit, and the type depends on where it sits. The Outdoor Plus specifies 12 or 14 VAC within five feet of water and 110V farther away. A fire pit beside a pool and one out on the lawn are different wiring jobs.

Media, Wind Guards and Lead Times to Check First

Media is a required part, not decoration. The burner needs fire glass, lava rock or refractory stone made for gas burners, never sand. The Outdoor Plus adds a rule people miss: media smaller than half an inch is not recommended on propane.
Check whether media is included. Some models ship with it. Every American Fyre Designs series sells it separately.
A glass wind guard is an accessory, not a part. It keeps the flame from being blown out, and on the models that offer one, you order it with the fire pit.
These are decorative appliances for outdoor use only, certified to ANSI Z21.97 and CSA 2.41. They are not built for cooking, and solid fuel must never be burned in them.
Never leave one burning unattended. The Outdoor Plus and American Fyre Designs both print it as a warning.
Ask about lead time before you order. Made-to-order finishes can take weeks, and each product page carries the current figure.

Explore Related Fire Pits

Fire Pits, the full range across every format and fuel
Fire Pit Accessories, covers, wind guards and media

Frequently Asked Questions about Gas Fire Pits

Are gas and propane fire pits the same?

Propane is one of the two gases a gas fire pit can burn, and natural gas is the other. The difference is the supply. Propane runs off a refillable tank and needs no gas line. Natural gas is piped in, never runs out, and needs a line run by a licensed installer. The burner is set up for one fuel, so you choose it when you order. On most models here it is an option on the product page.

Are gas fire pits worth it?

They are if you want a fire you can start and stop on demand. There is no wood to buy, store or burn down, and no ash to clear, so the fire ends when you close the valve. The trade-offs are real, though. You give up the crackle and smell of wood, a propane tank needs refilling, and natural gas means paying for a line to be run. If a campfire feel matters more than convenience, a wood-burning fire pit is the better fit.

How long will a 20 lb propane tank last on a fire pit?

About six and a half hours at full flame on a 65,000 BTU burner, the most common rating in this collection. A 20 lb tank holds roughly 430,000 BTU of propane, so divide that by the burner's rating to estimate a full-flame runtime. Turning the flame down stretches it, and a larger burner empties the tank faster. Check the BTU rating on the product page before you plan an evening around one tank.

Can a gas fire pit sit directly on a wood deck?

It depends on the model, and manufacturers give opposite answers. The Outdoor Plus requires non-combustible flooring under all of its fire features, so on a wood deck it needs non-combustible floor paneling underneath. EcoSmart Fire allows its tables and propane tank covers directly on a wood deck, as long as the feet stay on and the side and overhead clearances are kept. Read the manual for the model you are buying, and assume non-combustible flooring until it says otherwise.

How much heat does a gas fire pit put out?

Burner ratings in this collection run from about 11,000 BTU on the smallest fire pit tables to 400,000 BTU on the largest handcrafted steel pits. 65,000 BTU is the most common rating by a wide margin. You feel it most within a few feet, and wind pushes an open flame around, which is what a glass wind guard is for. Check the rating on the model you are considering rather than judging by size or format.

Can I convert a propane fire pit to natural gas?

Sometimes, but plan on choosing the right fuel when you order. The burner is set up for the pressure of one gas, so switching means changing parts, not a setting. Some manufacturers sell a conversion kit and some do not offer one for a given model. Where a kit exists, have it fitted by a licensed gas installer, and check the model's manual before buying on the assumption that you can convert later.