A fire pit is a popular feature to add to the backyard. You can gather with your friends and family around it any season of the year, enjoying its warmth in the winter or roasting marshmallows and hot dogs over it on a summer or fall evening. You can also cook on it if it’s just too hot to heat up the house or even if you lose power and can’t cook indoors for a day or two.
While a fire pit that requires wood can be a bit of a hassle to get it started and to clean up afterward, a propane fire pit is fueled by gas and is as easy to start as a gas grill. It is also easy to clean; simply turn it off and, after it’s cooled, wipe down the burner and the grates. There are no wood ashes to deal with.
Our Top 3 Picks for 2021 - Best of the Best!
The Best Propane Fire Pits of 2021
We have looked at a wide variety of propane fire pits so that we could show you some of the best. Below are our top ten picks, separated by features such as price, use, and appearance. You’ll be able to find the information you need to know to compare the products, including some pros and cons of each fire pit featured below.
The Best Propane Fire Pit Overall
The Femur 30” Propane Gas Fire Pit came out at the very top of our list. It also comes in a slightly smaller, 28-inch version. This fire pit is sturdy and fairly lightweight, weighing 20 lbs, which makes it easier to put it where you want to in your yard and to move it around as needed.
This is a table-style fire pit, so you will be able to rest your drinks around the edge of the platform. It is CSA-certified, which can assure you of its safety.
The propane tank (not included) fits nicely underneath the table. It comes with a screen to keep the lava rock from popping out during the first use, and it also comes with a solid top that will turn it into a coffee table when you aren’t using it. There’s also a waterproof cover to protect it during inclement weather.
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Runner Up #1
The Legacy Heating Propane Fire Pit Table is one of our runners up. This is another table-style fire pit that can accommodate drinks on the edge. This one has a wood-grain top that will look nice in a rustic backyard, and it includes the lid to make it function as an end table or coffee table when not in use.
The propane tank fits neatly underneath and is hidden from view. Four pounds of lava rocks are included; these extend up to the top of the table, which lends a nice appearance to the fire pit itself. Some might not prefer this style, however, as you cannot use a grate over the lava rocks to rest food on.
The ignition is easy to start and the fire pit is ETL-approved for safety. The bottom part is powder-coated to stand up to everyday weather conditions such as rain and snow.
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The Bali Outdoors Propane Fire Column is shaped differently from our other runner-up, so it provides another high-quality option for those looking for the best of the best. This one is black and is just 23 inches in diameter, making it perfect for smaller areas. It uses blue fire glass in place of the lava rocks that the previous two propane fire pits use.
The propane tank (not included) will fit underneath and out of the way. The dial to control the flame is on the front of the unit, making it convenient to turn on and off. Amazon users report that this fire pit throws off less heat than some others, which also makes it great for small patios and seating areas, as it will not overpower the area with heat.
It weighs 43 lbs, making it fairly lightweight and easy to move to wherever you need it.
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The Best Portable Propane Fire Pit
If you are looking for a portable propane fire pit, the Kinger Home Fire Pit made the top of our list. It is lightweight and easy to take with you wherever you are going. Take it on a camping trip, to a family barbecue as an extra source of flame, or simply store it in your garage until you need to use it.
It’s spark-free and won’t spread smoke or ash, so it’s able to be used in most campgrounds even if there is a bonfire ban (check with your specific campground, of course). It is CSA-approved for safety.
This fire pit comes with lava rocks to enhance the appearance of the flame. It is 19 inches in diameter and only 12 inches high, so you’ll be able to use it in small spaces as long as there is adequate ventilation. Note that there is no table surrounding it, so you won’t be able to put your drinks along the ledge.
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The Best Wood Finish Propane Fire Pit
Those with a rustic farmhouse decorating style will love the Best Choice Products Wood Finish Fire Pit. This one looks like a traditional farmhouse slab and includes a side table that you will use to hide your propane tank. You can also put your drinks or plate on the side table. The hose leading from the propane tank to the fire pit itself is about eight feet long, giving you plenty of options as to where to place the end table.
The fire pit itself is made from steel and wood and has an appealing wood grain look. Control the fire by turning the knob; it’s simple and easy to use. This is a fairly big table fire pit, measuring 48 inches long by 27 inches wide by 13.5 inches tall.
This is a sturdy, heavy product weighing 100 lbs in total. It includes a bottle of paint touch-up, which is important because some reviews note that it chips fairly easily.
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The Best Budget Propane Fire Pit
If you are looking for a budget-friendly propane fire pit that won’t break the bank, the Gartio Gas Fire Pit is both economical and high-quality. Like most of the other table fire pits, this one has plenty of room underneath to store your propane tank as well as a nice ledge to keep your drinks.
It is CSA-certified, which means it has gone through the tests necessary to ensure safety. It also comes with a lid to cover it when it’s not in use; you can use it as an outdoor coffee table. The basin is stainless steel, so it will not rust, and it comes with everything you need to assemble it.
When the weather is bad, you’ll want to use the included waterproof cover. You will also like the quick ignition and easy process of getting the fire started.
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The Best Splurge-Worthy Propane Fire Pit
Are you looking for a luxurious fire pit that will make your guests ooh and ahh? If so, the Elementi Fiery Rock Fire Pit is exactly what you need. This is a high-quality, cast concrete piece that will become the focal point of your patio or backyard.
It looks like half of a round stone, and it has a wide ledge for drinks or plates. The lava rocks in the middle lend to the appeal of the flames. It also comes with a natural canvas cover to use in between fires.
The ignition is electronic and there is an automatic shutoff for safety. This is a heavy fire pit, weighing in at over 160 lbs. There are accessories, such as a matching cover and a lid, that are sold separately. Note that there is nowhere on or in the fire pit to hide your propane tank, but there is a five-foot hose that will allow you to connect it to the tank and slide the tank behind a wall or in another accessory if you choose.
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The Most Elevated Propane Fire Pit
If you’d prefer an elevated fire pit, the Giantex Propane Firebowl might be exactly what you have been searching for. It is similar to the table fire pits in that the flame is higher off the ground, but it has a bowl-type appearance at the top of what looks like a stone column, giving it a fancy appearance.
You’ll be able to hide the propane tank underneath, so nobody will see it. The ignition is easy to use to both start and extinguish the flame. There’s also a conveniently located knob that will allow you to turn the flame up or down to meet the needs of your gathering.
This firebowl comes with lava rocks to cover the burner as well as a protective cover to keep the fire pit outside without incident even on rainy, windy, or snowy days. It weighs about 70 lbs, so it won’t be too hard to move it around your yard if needed.
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The Best Stone Propane Fire Pit
The Best Choice Products Gas Fire Pit is a low-sitting faux stone product that will look great on your patio or paved sitting area. It has moderate heat output and, one of the best features, it does not need to be assembled. Just take it out of the box and it’s ready to go.
The pit itself is weather-resistant, and it also comes with a protective cover. Your propane tank will sit nearby (there’s nowhere to hide it in the fire pit itself) and can be placed up to 10 feet away thanks to a long hose.
The fire pit measures 28 inches in diameter and weighs a bit over 60 lbs.
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The Best Antique-Looking Propane Fire Pit Table
If you’re looking for an antique-looking fire pit table, the Bali Outdoors Fire Pit Table is a good choice. The material looks like antique iron, and it also uses fire glass to enhance the flame. It comes with blue glass, but of course, you can purchase any color you’d like separately.
Your propane tank will fit underneath the table, and there’s plenty of room on the ledge to rest your drink or even a dinner plate. The heat output is moderate to high; you can adjust the flame to your liking.
One caveat is that this model does not come with a protective cover; you would have to purchase that separately.
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What to Consider When Buying a Propane Fire Pits
When choosing a gas-powered fire pit, there are several types you might want to consider. Fire pit tables have room around the fire so you can rest your drink or plate conveniently. There are also pits that are more streamlined in appearance; with these, you won’t have an out-of-the-way place to actually eat your food or put down your drink, so you’ll want to have some type of table nearby. You can choose between various materials, such as wood finishes, stone, ceramic, or metal fire pits. And you will also want to settle on a price range; they are available starting at around $200 and going up to $1,000 or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much propane will my fire pit use?
Most fire pits will use a 20 lb propane container, similar to what you would use with a gas grill. You should get between four and nine hours of flame out of your tank. If you are using a high flame, it will be on the shorter end, and if you are using a low or moderate flame, it will be toward the longer end. It’s a good idea to have an extra propane tank handy and to keep track of how long you are using each tank to avoid the experience of having the tank suddenly unable to maintain your fire.
Is it safe to use a propane fire pit on my deck?
While it’s not recommended to use a wood-burning fire pit on a deck, the risk of having errant embers igniting nearby structures is much less with a gas-powered fire pit. So yes, it safe to use a propane fire pit on a wooden deck provided it has CSA approval, as these pits are designed to be used on this type of surface. Do not, however, use it in an enclosed porch, and be sure to follow the directions when it comes to leaving plenty of clearance between the fire pit and the walls or ceiling.
Can I cook over a propane fire pit?
Yes, it’s safe to cook over a propane fire pit. Do keep in mind that grease and melted food (like marshmallows) can fall onto the burner and make a mess, however. You will need to clean it regularly to keep it working properly.
Where should I put my propane fire pit?
You should put your propane fire pit on level ground and away from trees, shrubs, sheds, or anything else that might catch on fire. It is best to maintain 20 feet of clearance between your fire pit and anything flammable like hanging branches, a woodpile, a compost pile, and so on.
The Verdict
In conclusion, any of these propane fire pits would be a great choice to enhance your outdoor living space. Our favorite is the Femor 30” Propane Gas Fire Pit, but we have some great runners-up as well as a lot of honorable mentions that we’ve shared with you. Choose your favorite and enjoy your backyard even more than you already do!
About The Author
Michelle Kulas
Writer
Michelle Kulas has been writing professionally since 2008 in a variety of niches. She is a gardener and enjoys spending time with her family and her dog in her sunny Southwest Florida backyard. When she's not writing or in the garden, you can find her cooking or volunteer with foreign exchange students.