The Best Outdoor Propane Fire Pit for the Patio

A fire pit is great to have on your patio all year long. You can use it during cold months to help keep you and your guests warm, and you can use it during the summer to roast marshmallows or hot dogs. Plus, it creates an ambiance that other heaters or wood-burning fire pits can’t match for outdoor living.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to purchase an outdoor propane fire pit for your patio, this is it. Here are our top picks for the best propane fire pit to add to your patio or outdoor space.

The Best Outdoor Propane Fire Pit for the Patio

1. Square Tile Top Propane Fire Pit

AZ Patio Heaters has created this square tile top propane heater that is perfect for your patio all year long. It has a decorative tile surface that adds character and dimension to your patio, whether placing the fire pit near a garden or by a pool.

The propane fire pit has a 30” by 30” square top and a 16” by 16” square burner. This gives you 14” of surface area between the edge of the surface and the burner for you to place your items as you gather around the fire pit.

The base of the fire pit table holds a 20-pound propane tank that will burn for 8 to 10 hours while on high. It has a convenient door that encloses the propane tank within the fire pit's base and discreetly hides the propane tank.

It has 40,000 BTU heat output and includes the fire glass to conceal the jets in the fire pit that emit propane.

Pros:

• Fire glass included
• Large, decorative tile surface area
• High heat output of 40,000 BTU output
• Affordable and durable
• Burner lid included

Cons:

• Heavy

This rectangular fire pit by AZ Patio Heaters will give your patio a luxurious feel at a relatively affordable price.

The fire pit measures 53” long by 22” wide, giving you a large tabletop surface area to enjoy as you use the fire pit. It includes fire glass and a convenient glass windscreen that will keep the flame ignited during windy conditions. It holds a 20-pound propane tank with a heat output of 42,000 BTU for 8 to 10 hours when on high.

What makes this outdoor propane fire pit one of the best is the variety of features built into the unit. First, it includes a burner lid that will cover the burner when the fire pit is not in use so that you can use the fire pit as a solid table. To keep the gas fire pit table protected, it is made of weatherproof steel and includes a thermocouple failure device.

Pros:

• Burner lid included
• Luxurious design
• Large surface area
• Weatherproof design
• Thermocouple failure device

Cons:

• Very heavy; nearly 100 pounds

3. Conventional Propane Fire Pit

This conventional propane fire pit by AZ Patio Heaters is convenient, practical, and efficient for outdoor living. The surface area of this backyard fire pit is 30” wide by 30” long, making a perfect square. It includes a stainless steel burner cover so that you have a true table when the burners are not lit. The burner measures 10” by 10” and features stainless steel H-shaped burner with fire glass.

This backyard fire pit is 24” tall with a base that stores a 20-pound propane tank behind a convenient, discreet, easy access propane tank door. It has a total heat output of 40,000 BTU that will last for 8 to 10 hours in the highest setting.

Pros:

• Relatively lightweight (45 pounds)
• Affordable
• Fire glass included
• High output of 40,000 BTU output

Cons:

• Not as stylish as other options

4. Hammered Bronze Square Fire Pit with Stainless Steel Legs

Don’t think that just because this propane fire pit is 4th on our list that it is second-rate. Hammered bronze, square, and 38” wide by 38” long, this fire pit by AZ Patio Heaters has everything you’re looking for.

First, the tabletop surface area of this propane gas fire pit is larger than most, measuring 38” by 38”. It has a burner cover so that you can use it as an actual table when the burner isn’t lit. When lit, the stainless steel burner and ring will heat an area up to 15 feet in proximity for warm outdoor living. The burner measures 17” by 17” and comes with fire glass rocks.

The fire pit base has two easy-access doors where you can easily store and refuel the propane tank. It holds a 20-pound propane tank and has a total output of 40,000 BTUs.

Pros:

• Large surface area
• Hammered bronze stylish design
• Stainless steel ring burner
• Burner cover and fire glass included

Cons:

• Heavy (105 pounds)

5. Linear 36” Propane Fire Pit

On the more luxurious side of fire pits is this option by Fire Pit Art, and it will truly give you and your guests an artistic experience on your patio.

Instead of fire glass, it has lava rock that conceals the burners in the fire pit. The lava rock takes the fire pit up a level and gives your patio a more affluent feel. When the fire pit is not in use, it comes with a steel cover that you can place over the gas burners to make a single, solid table.

The surface dimensions are 36” wide by 24” deep and 20” tall. There is also a 48” option and a 72” option if you need a bigger fire pit.

The fire pit includes the burner, lava rock, and the flex line kit and plate for you to connect to your propane tank. It has an all brass keyed valve that will only ignite by using a propane key so that it doesn’t become mistakenly ignited.

Pros:

• Luxurious and affluent
• Lava rocks included
• Made from stainless steel and brass
• Large surface area measuring 36” wide
• Steel cover included to cover the burners when not in use

Cons:

• Pricey
• Heavy

Why You Need a Propane Fire Pit for the Patio

This is the sign you’ve been waiting for. If you’ve considered purchasing a propane fire pit for your patio but weren’t sure if you should make the commitment, the answer is yes, and the reasons are plentiful.

Warmth

Fire pits are practical. They add heat to the area surrounding the fire pit, especially if you have turned the burners up to the high setting. Generally, heat can be felt up to up to 15 feet from the fire pit. If you don’t need the fire pit for warmth, simply turn the burners down so that the burners are still lit, but the flames are at a minimum.

Ambiance

Propane fire pits add a level of ambiance that other heaters just can’t match. Propane fire pits with fire glass or lava rock give your patio an upgraded feel. Propane fire pits can be enjoyed any night of the week. You don’t have to be an entertainer to need a propane fire pit, but if you enjoy entertaining, then you should add a propane fire pit to your patio.

Functionality

In addition to warmth and ambiance, you can use a propane gas fire pit for roasting marshmallows and hot dogs or making smores. This makes a backyard fire pit more than just an ambient visual for your patio. It can provide a function if you choose to use the fire pit for more than just keeping warm.

How to Choose an Outdoor Propane Fire Pit for the Patio

Most outdoor propane fire pits are similar, but there will be a few differences among your options that you may want to consider when choosing the right propane fire pit for your patio. The two features that will likely play the biggest role are the size of the fire pit and any safety features it may have.

Size

When choosing the size of your fire pit, you need to consider both the tabletop surface of the fire pit as well as how much space it will occupy on your patio.

If you have a small patio, you may want to choose a square fire pit so that it doesn’t take up as much room on the patio as rectangular fire pits. If you choose a rectangular fire pit, make sure you have enough room on your patio to accommodate seating and other tables.

Safety Features

Not all propane fire pits are equipped with the same safety features, so if this is a priority for you when looking for the best outdoor propane fire pit, you’ll need to know what the safety features are for each option you consider.

Thermocouple

A thermocouple measures temperature and also serves as a flame sensor for your propane gas fire pit. If there is a flame on your fire pit that you’re unaware of, the thermocouple will detect it.

Keyed Valve

Some fire pits may also have a keyed valve that will only ignite the fire pit when it is turned with a key. This is a great safety feature to have on your outdoor fire pit if you have children who may accidentally turn the fire pit on with just an igniter switch.

Weatherproofing

While it’s not necessarily a safety feature, a weatherproof gas fire pit will ensure that your unit stays protected from the elements for years to come. You can also protect your outdoor fire pit from the elements by using a waterproof fire pit cover.

Final Thoughts

A propane or gas fire pit is a great addition to your patio for yourself or your guests. Your secret is safe with us if you want to enjoy your outdoor propane fire pit to yourself. For more options that aren’t on our list, check out more of our outdoor propane fire pits here.

Not ready for a fire pit but still want to stay warm on cold nights? Consider a patio heater with an electronic ignition for your outdoor space.