5 Best Propane Fire Pits (2023 Guide)

Sitting around a fire pit and roasting marshmallows is a fun experience for the entire family. Unlike their wood-burning alternatives, propane fire pits burn clean with no smoke or sparks. They’re also portable and easy to light.

To help you find the best propane fire pit to make over your backyard, our team researched the top smokeless models on today’s market. Discover our top recommendations below.

Top 5 Propane Fire Pits

• Best Overall: BALI OUTDOORS Propane Fire Pit
• Best Stone: Giantex Propane Fire Pit
• Best Portable: Outland Living Propane Fire Pit
• Best Fire Pit Table: Best Choice Products Propane Gas Fire Pit Table
• Best Value: Barton Outdoor Propane Gas Fire Pit

Best Overall

Pros and Cons

What Customers Are Saying

Customers we found who gave this fire pit positive reviews liked how easy it was to use and assemble, how much heat it gave off, and how stylish it looked. However, some customers questioned its durability, mentioning issues with the stones breaking or the metal rubbing off.

Best Stone Fire Pit

Pros and Cons

What Customers Are Saying

Those who gave this fire pit positive reviews were impressed with its decorative yet durable design. They also mentioned how lightweight it was, as this made it portable. On the other hand, dissatisfied customers felt that this fire pit didn’t come with enough glass rocks. Others didn’t like its small flame. 

Best Portable Pit

Pros and Cons

What Customers Are Saying

We noted that this fire pit was popular on Amazon for its portable and lightweight design. Some reviewers also commented on how easy it was to set up and light. However, some customers mentioned its low flames that didn’t provide enough heat. Others didn’t like the paint’s susceptibility to peeling, leaving the metal vulnerable to rust. 

Best Fire Pit Table

Pros and Cons

What Customers Are Saying

Customers who were happy with this fire pit liked its high heat output and was made from sturdy materials. Others we found also gave shining reviews about its stylish look. On the other hand, a small selection of buyers struggled with assembly and ignition. 

Best Value

Pros and Cons

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon reviewers liked that this propane fire pit was easy to assemble and had a large flame. Others were satisfied with its durability, noting that it held up well to continuous use. On the other hand, we found some customers who said it needed a wind guard because the flames flickered a lot in the wind.

Buying Guide for Propane Fire Pits

Even though we helped you narrow down your options to five models, you still have to choose one of them. That’s where this buyer’s guide and our longer All About Fire Pits page come in.

From heat output to design, here are the elements of an outdoor fire pit that we think will help you make a decision.

Fire Pit Styles

Manufacturers typically build propane fire pits in one of three ways.

• Bowl: Containing the fire in a bowl, this outdoor propane fire pit acts as a decorative accent in a furnished backyard. The fire bowl sits on the ground or on columns or legs. 
• Portable: This fire pit is lightweight, making it ideal for camping trips or other adventures. The tank disconnects from the hose so you can carry the tank in one hand and the fire pit in the other.
• Table: As the name implies, this type of fire pit also acts as a tabletop to hold your drinks, phones, and other items. The center opens to expose the heating element that creates a fire. The fuel source also lives inside the table, eliminating the eyesore of a visible propane tank. 

Heat Output

How much heat a propane fire pit produces is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). A higher BTU rating means a larger radius of warmth around the fire pit. Many propane fire pits average between 30,000 and 60,000 BTUs. 

Ignition System

Once your propane fire pit is assembled and connected to a tank, you need to turn it on. Here are some of the most common ignition systems you’ll find:

• Manual: With a manual ignition system, you need to ignite the gas yourself using a match or lighter.
• Spark: A push-button igniter produces a tiny spark that catches fire when it reacts with the flowing gas. This system is similar to the one on gas grills. 
• Electronic: For electronic ignition, simply flip a switch or press a button, and the propane fire pit lights itself. 

Fun Activities for Around the Campfire

If you’re spending time around a fire with your friends and family, there are many ways to keep yourselves entertained. Here are some fun backyard activities we recommend trying the next time you use your fire pit: 

• Listen to music or an audiobook
• Make a campfire bingo card
• Make DIY crafts
• Make s’mores
• Play 20 questions
• Play card games
• Play charades
• Play tag with your flashlights
• Play yard games
• Sing karaoke
• Pick up a telescope and stargaze
• Tell ghost stories
• Watch the sunrise or sunset

Frequently Asked Questions About Propane Fire Pits

Can I cook food over my propane fire pit?

Yes. However, spilled food, such as marshmallow drippings and hot dog bits, can be difficult to clean. Use a grill grate or another cooking surface to minimize these spills. 

Will my propane fire pit operate continuously without touching it? 

Yes. Propane fire pits are designed to continuously burn their fuel source until their tank is empty. Note that having an active flame can be dangerous, so be sure to keep one person by the fire at all times.

Will rain damage my propane fire pit? 

Light-to-moderate rainfall won’t break your fire pit. However, moisture buildup on the inside can make it more difficult to ignite in the future. Using a protective cover or storing it in a garage or shed when it’s not in use can prevent this. 

Who This Propane Fire Pit Buying Guide Is For

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to refresh your outdoor space, a professional landscaper, or somewhere in between, a quality fire pit can transform your patio into an oasis. Our Reviews Team considered a variety of gas fire pits, including fire pit tables, portable fire pits, and more. 

How We Chose Propane Fire Pits

To provide our readers with the best propane fire pit recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of propane fire pits with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published countless reviews of garden, lawn, and outdoor products—from fertilizer and garden hoses to patio furniture and snow blowers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

Questions or Comments?

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