Linear Fire Pit Burners

Linear gas fire pit burners from The Outdoor Plus, sold as the burner only, for narrow fire tables, seat walls, bench caps and modern fire features with a clean, continuous line of flame.

Why a Linear Burner?

A linear burner gives you a long, continuous line of fire in a very small footprint. It fits where other burners can't: along a seat wall, on a bench cap, at the edge of a pool or down the center of a slim dining table. The result is a clean, architectural look that suits contemporary outdoor spaces.

Burner Styles in This Collection

• Linear bullet burner – a straight run with bullet-style jets, from 12" to 96".
• Linear 'S' bullet burner – an 'S' pattern along the length, fitted with bullet-style jets.
• 'S' burner – a 6" wide 'S' pattern for a fuller line of flame, up to 120" long.
• T-Burner – available in lengths from 16" up to 120".

Sizing a Burner to Your Fire Pit

Measure the interior of your pan or fire pit, not the outside of the enclosure. Measure the interior length and width, and leave space at each end of the run. Leave open space between the burner and the pan walls: it gives the flame room to draw in air and keeps it from hitting the sides. As a reference, The Outdoor Plus kits typically pair a burner about 6" smaller than the pan, such as a 24" burner in a 30" pan.

A narrow burner is the least forgiving shape when it comes to gas supply. With no extra width to hide a pressure drop, an undersized line shows up as a strong flame near the inlet that thins out toward the far end. The longer the run, the more the line size matters.

Plan the Gas Supply First

The BTU rating tells you how much gas a burner needs to reach its full flame. The Outdoor Plus linear bullet burner, for example, is rated at 30,000 BTU at 18" and 160,000 BTU at 96". Every product page lists the BTU rating and gas inlet size wherever The Outdoor Plus publishes them.

A burner can only perform as well as the gas line feeding it. Pipe diameter sets how much gas can reach the burner, a long run from the meter or tank reduces pressure, and every fitting and elbow adds restriction. An undersized line is the most common reason a burner never reaches its full flame height. Share the BTU rating with your gas professional so they can confirm the pipe size, regulator and supply before installation.

What Else You'll Need

Our individual burners are sold as the burner only. To complete the installation you'll also need a pan or burner support, an ignition system and gas connections. Our Fire Pit Ignition Systems collection includes The Outdoor Plus 30DC Low Voltage Electronic Ignition System, the 30DC Plug & Play Electronic Ignition System and the Flame Sense Valve with Push-Button Spark Ignition. If you'd rather have everything matched for you, our Gas Fire Pit Burner Kits combine pan, burner and ignition in one package.

Choosing an Ignition System

Match lit systems are the simplest, with no electrical requirement. Flame sense systems add a safety valve that shuts off the gas if the flame goes out, and push-button spark ignition removes the need for matches. Electronic ignition lets you control the fire from a switch, timer or home automation system. Think about how often you'll use the fire and where it sits: long or built-in features are easier to light with spark or electronic ignition.

Linear features are often built into walls, benches and tables, so electronic ignition is a popular choice: the fire can be turned on from a switch, timer or home automation system rather than by hand.

Natural Gas or Propane

Natural gas and liquid propane are not interchangeable. Propane is supplied at a different pressure and burns differently, so the gas components are set up for the fuel you choose when you order. Propane installations typically use an air mixer at the burner inlet to burn cleanly; without the right setup, propane can produce a lazy yellow flame and soot on the media. If you are not sure which setup your project needs, contact us before ordering.

Ventilation and Drainage

A fire pit enclosure needs ventilation so that gas cannot collect inside the cavity. Place vents on opposite sides of the enclosure so air can flow through. Propane is heavier than air and settles at the bottom, so propane installations need vents low on the enclosure; natural gas is lighter than air and rises, so vents belong near the top. Follow the vent requirements in The Outdoor Plus installation instructions and your local code.

Water is the other thing to plan for. Rain filters down through the fire glass or lava rock, so the pan's drain holes and the base of your enclosure need a path for water to escape. Standing water around the burner and gas components can cause corrosion and uneven lighting. Clearing media dust from the drain holes is a quick seasonal check.

A long, narrow enclosure traps gas more easily than a wide one, so spread the vents along its length.

Finishing With Fire Glass or Lava Rock

Fire media hides the burner, spreads the gas for a natural-looking flame and gives the fire pit its finished appearance. Cover the burner evenly, following the depth in the installation instructions: too little media leaves the burner visible, while too much restricts the flame and can turn it yellow. Uneven depth is very visible on a narrow burner, so check it at several points along the run. Shop our fire glass and lava rock to finish your build. Fire media is sold separately.

Professional Installation

All gas fire features must be installed by a qualified, locally licensed gas professional, following The Outdoor Plus installation instructions and your local building codes. Keep the clearances to combustible materials listed in the instructions, and do not build a gas fire pit directly under an awning, pergola or other overhead structure.

Need Help Choosing?

Designing a linear fire feature? Send us your interior opening dimensions, fuel type and gas line size, and we'll help you confirm the right size, burner and ignition before you order. Simply contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions