How to Choose a Fire Pit: The Complete Buying Guide
The right fire pit comes down to five decisions: the fuel you'll burn, the size of your space, the shape that suits your seating, the material that suits your climate and style, and how you want to light it.
A fire pit quickly becomes the place everyone gathers, so it pays to get it right the first time. This guide walks through each decision in the order we recommend making them, with links to our more detailed guides along the way. If you'd rather talk it through, our team is happy to help: just contact us.
| Decision | Common Options | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Natural gas, propane, wood, bioethanol | Sets installation needs, running costs and the type of flame |
| Size | Compact, mid-size, large, linear | Determines how many people can gather and how much heat you get |
| Shape | Round, square, rectangular, linear | Should follow your seating layout and the lines of your patio |
| Material | GFRC concrete, corten, stainless, copper, carbon steel, powder coat | Affects look, weight, weathering and maintenance |
| Ignition | Match lit, spark, electronic | Decides how easy the fire is to start and control |
In This Guide
- Step 1: Choose your fuel
- Step 2: Fire pit, fire table or fire bowl?
- Step 3: Size and seating
- Step 4: Material and finish
- Step 5: Ignition
- Step 6: Accessories that complete the setup
- Frequently asked questions
Step 1: Choose Your Fuel
Fuel is the first decision because it affects everything else, from where the fire pit can go to how you light it.
Fire Pit Art Low Boy Wood Fire Pit
- Natural gas – connected to your home's gas supply, so it never runs out. Best for permanent installations close to an existing gas line.
- Propane – runs from a tank, so it works where there is no gas line. Some fire pits and tables are designed with room to hide the tank inside the base.
- Wood – the classic crackle, smell and glow of a real log fire. Needs firewood, produces smoke and sparks, and can be restricted by local burn rules.
- Bioethanol – a liquid fuel that burns without smoke or ash and needs no gas line. Our GlammFire bioethanol fire pits use a refillable burner.
Many designs come in more than one fuel. Fire Pit Art makes several of its sculpted steel designs as both gas and wood fire pits, and GlammFire offers some of its models for wood, gas or bioethanol. For a side-by-side comparison, read our guide Gas vs. Wood vs. Bioethanol Fire Pits, and if you're going with gas, our Natural Gas vs. Propane guide.
Step 2: Fire Pit, Fire Table or Fire Bowl?
A fire table gives you a flame and a ledge for drinks and plates
The terms overlap, but they describe quite different pieces:
- Gas fire pits – the broadest category, from low round pits to long linear fire features.
- Gas fire tables – a fire feature built into a table, with a ledge around the flame for drinks, plates and elbows. Available at chat, dining and bar heights.
- Gas fire bowls – sculptural bowls, often in concrete or copper, that work as a design accent around pools and on walls and pedestals.
- Fire & water features – bowls that combine a flame with a water spill, a favorite for pools and spas.
Our guide Fire Pits vs. Fire Tables vs. Fire Bowls goes into each in more detail.
Step 3: Size and Seating
Size should follow how you plan to use the fire. A compact fire pit suits a small patio or a balcony-style terrace; a large round or linear fire pit can anchor a full outdoor living room. Think about how many people usually sit around the fire, whether you want the fire to be the centerpiece or an accent, and how much space you need to walk around it comfortably.
Linear fire pits like the Coronado suit long sofas and lounge layouts
Shape matters too. Round fire pits suit circular seating where everyone faces the center. Square and rectangular fire pits suit modern patios and sectional sofas. Linear fire pits work along a long sofa, a bench or a wall. Our Fire Pit Sizes & Seating Layout guide helps you match size to your space.
Step 4: Material and Finish
The Outdoor Plus Beverly Fire Table in hammered copper
Material decides how your fire pit looks on day one, how it ages and how much care it needs.
| Material | Look | How It Ages |
|---|---|---|
| GFRC concrete | Clean, architectural, natural stone tones | Stable color; a cover helps keep it clean |
| Corten steel | Warm, rust-orange patina | Develops a protective rust layer that deepens over time |
| Stainless steel | Bright, modern, reflective | Resists corrosion; occasional cleaning keeps it bright |
| Hammered copper | Rich, handcrafted, warm | Develops a natural patina over time |
| Carbon / mild steel | Rugged, sculptural | Weathers to a natural iron-oxide patina |
| Powder coat | Wide range of colors | Holds its color; touch up chips to protect the steel |
See our full comparison in Fire Pit Materials Compared.
Step 5: Ignition
The Outdoor Plus 30DC Low Voltage Electronic Ignition System
Gas fire pits can be lit in different ways. Match lit systems are the simplest, flame sense systems add a safety valve that shuts off the gas if the flame goes out, push-button spark ignition removes the need for matches, and electronic ignition lets you control the fire from a switch, timer or home automation system. On The Outdoor Plus fire pits, the available ignition systems are listed on each product page. Read more in Fire Pit Ignition Systems Explained.
Step 6: Accessories That Complete the Setup
The Outdoor Plus Tempered Glass Wind Guard
- Fire glass or lava rock to cover the burner and finish a gas fire pit.
- Fire pit covers to protect the fire pit when it's not in use.
- Glass wind guards to shelter the flame on breezy evenings.
- Spark guards for wood burning fire pits.
For safe placement, read Fire Pit Placement, Safety & Clearances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fire pit for a small patio?
A compact gas fire pit or fire bowl is usually the easiest fit, because it needs no firewood storage and produces no smoke. Bioethanol fire pits are another option where no gas line is available. Check the product dimensions and leave room to walk around the fire.
Is a gas or wood fire pit better?
It depends on what you value most. Gas is clean, instant and easy to control, while wood gives a real crackling fire. Our gas vs. wood vs. bioethanol guide compares them side by side.
Do I need a professional to install a gas fire pit?
Yes. Gas connections should be made by a qualified, locally licensed gas professional, following the manufacturer's instructions and your local codes.
Can I put a fire pit on a wooden deck?
Only if the manufacturer allows it and you follow the clearances in the installation instructions. Many fire pits need a non-combustible surface beneath them. Check the product's manual and your local code before installing.
How long does shipping take?
Shipping times vary by manufacturer and are listed on each product page.
Final Thoughts
Start with fuel, then size and shape, then material and ignition, and the right fire pit usually becomes clear. Browse our full range, or send us a photo of your space and we'll help you narrow it down.
