How to Buy a Gas Fire Pit | Gas Fire Pit Buying Guide
Gas fire pits offer a great way to relax with family and friends, and they have become very popular among homeowners and businesses. Whether you are simply glazing at the flames, enjoying a drink or hosting a social gathering. Fire pits are a great way to enhance your outdoor setting.
Compared to wood burning fire pits, gas fire pits offer the convenience of being able to ignite the flame from the push of a button, turn of a knob or even through an app on your phone. They give you full control over the flame height and ensure you don't have to deal with the hassles managing a wood fire, allowing you to sit back and relax.
With such a wide range of designs and features available, finding the best gas fire pit can become quite a challenge. This comprehensive guide breaks down all the various fire pit styles, features, benefits and which accessories will enhance your experience!
The Advantages of Buying a Gas Fire Pit
Buying a Gas fire pit can make a great addition for your outdoor space, whether you are looking for a fire pit for your backyard or your business. It offers numerous advantages that make it a convenient and attractive choice. Here they are:
- Ease of use: Gas fire pits offer very simple installation and an easy to use flame ignition system.
- Flame Adjustment: Allows easy control of the flame size to customize the heat and ambiance to your preference.
- Appearance: Having a fire pit enhances the outdoor space with their sleek designs and flame burning displays.
- Clean Burning: Produces no smoke ensuring a more comfortable environment.
- Safety: Minimal risk of sparks or embers, along with optional safety features like automatic shut-off valves.
- Minimal Maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep with no ash, embers or soot to clean up.
Gas Fire Pits Fuel Types
Gas fire pits are offered with two distinct fuel options: Liquid Propane or Natural Gas. Let's take a look at the differences between the two.
Propane Fire Pits
Liquid propane fire pits are easy to set up and can easily be moved when needed.
You can hook these up to a standard 20 lbs propane tank or if you have a large propane tank on site, you can run a gas line from there to your fire pit.
Many fire pit brands offer propane tank covers that also serve as the perfect side table, matching your fire pit perfectly while discreetly concealing the propane tank.
Natural Gas Fire Pits
Natural gas fire pits are an excellent choice if you want to incorporate a permanent fire feature to your outdoor space.
To connect your fire pit, it must be attached to a natural gas line. If you don't have an existing line, you'll need to hire a professional to install it and hookup your fire pit for you.
Once your natural gas fire pit is connected to its gas source, it will receive a consistent flow of gas, with the capacity to allow a more powerful burner that produces a larger and warmer flame.
Fire Pit Types, Shapes and Sizes
Gas Fire Pit Bowls
Ideal for compact outdoor spaces, gas fire pit bowls feature shallow, bowl shaped designs that beautifully display the flames. Providing a cozy ambiance for fireside chats.
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Gas Fire Pit Tables
Gas fire pit tables are a stylish and functional addition to any outdoor living space. These versatile pieces combine the warmth and ambiance of a traditional fire pit with the practicality of a table, creating the perfect centrepiece for entertaining guests or enjoying cozy evenings outside. Some gas fire pit tables feature hidden tank designs that conceal your propane tank, providing a cleaner look that seamlessly integrates into your space.
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Gas fire Pit Urns
Fire pit urns offer a unique and elegant way to add warmth and ambiance to any outdoor space. These decorative fixtures combine the functionality of a fire pit with the timeless appeal of an urn-shaped design, creating a striking focal point for any patio or garden.
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Ready-to Finish Gas Fire Pit Kits
Ready-to-finish gas fire pit kits offer a convenient solution for creating a customized outdoor fire feature with ease. These kits include all the necessary components - fire pit burner, flex line kit, enclosure and ignition system - for building the fire pit structure. Whether you prefer rustic stones or a modern look, ready to finish fire pit kits provide the foundation for a DIY project that adds warmth and charm to any outdoor space.
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Choosing the perfect gas fire pit shape
Choosing the perfect gas fire pit shape for your outdoor space can significantly enhance both functionality and aesthetics. Whether you prefer the classic appeal of a round fire pit, the modern touch of a rectangle fire pit, or the versatile elegance of a square fire pit, each shape offers unique benefits to suit various needs and styles. Let's explore the advantages of these popular gas fire pit shapes to help you make the best choice for your space.
Round Gas Fire Pits
Round gas fire pits are a timeless choice, they are perfect for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Their circular shape encourages intimate gatherings, making them ideal for smaller patios and outdoor seating areas where people can easily face each other.
A round fire pit also works well in spaces with curved or irregular layouts, adding a harmonious touch to the overall design. With their smooth lines and versatile style, round gas fire pits seamlessly blend into various outdoor aesthetics, from rustic to contemporary.
Rectangle Gas Fire Pits
Rectangle gas fire pits offer a sleek and modern look, perfect for contemporary outdoor spaces. Their rectangular shape provides ample space for larger groups, making them ideal for expansive patios and decks where you want to accommodate more guests.
Choosing your Gas Fire Pit's Material
Gas fire pits are available in a wide range of materials and finishes, let's explore the options and compare their durability style and ascetics.
Concrete Gas Fire Pits
Concrete gas fire pits are a robust and stylish choice for any outdoor space, offering numerous benefits. Their durability and heat resistance make them perfect for withstanding various weather conditions, ensuring a long-lasting addition to your patio or garden.
There is two types of concrete for gas fire pits: Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) or Regular Concrete. They cater to various needs and preferences.
- Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC): GFRC fire pits are crafted from a specialized concrete blend containing cement and high strength glass fiber. These fibers enhance the concrete's strength and flexibility, reducing the risk of cracking and resulting in a lightweight yet robust material, ideal for outdoor use due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
- Concrete / Cement: Traditional concrete or cement fire pits are constructed using traditional concrete materials. Their solid cement construction provides stability and durability for outdoor gatherings, while their understated design blends seamlessly with various outdoor aesthetics. Low-maintenance and reliable, these cement fire pits enhance any outdoor space with their timeless appeal and enduring quality.
Steel & Stainless Steel Gas Fire Pits
Steel and Stainless Steel Gas Fire Pits offer a durable, practical and budget friendly options when choosing a the perfect gas fire pit for your outdoor space. They come available in a wide variety of finishes to match your decor. While both materials share similarities, they also have distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences and needs.
Steel: Steel gas fire pits are typically made from carbon steel, which is known for its strength and affordability. These fire pits often feature a powder-coated finish to enhance their resistance to rust and corrosion, prolonging their lifespan. Steel fire pits offer excellent heat retention, making them ideal for chilly evenings, and their affordability makes them accessible for a wide range of budgets.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel gas fire pits, on the other hand, are crafted from a corrosion-resistant alloy that contains chromium, which forms a protective layer when exposed to oxygen. This layer helps to prevent rust and corrosion, making stainless steel fire pits incredibly durable and low-maintenance. Additionally, stainless steel fire pits have a sleek and polished appearance that complements modern outdoor spaces beautifully.
Copper Gas Fire Pits
Copper gas fire pits are typically hand made, presenting a high-end and artisanal appearance.
Over time, the copper naturally develops a blue/green patina, especially in regions with harsher weather conditions. This natural aging process gives copper fire pits a charming rustic look, which enhances with each passing season.
Corten Steel Fire Pits
Corten steel gas fire pits, crafted from weathering steel alloy, develop a protective rust layer over time when exposed to outdoor conditions. This rusting process, known as patina formation, starts with a reddish-brown hue and deepens over time, resulting in a range of earthy tones.
Selecting the right ignition system is crucial when purchasing your gas fire pit.
There is a wide range of ignition systems available for gas fire pits, from standard simple match lit ignitions to convenient electronic systems , there's an option to fit every preference. Let's take a look at each ignition type to help you pick the right one for your gas fire pit.
Match Lit Ignition Systems
The most straightforward ignition type for gas fire pits is the match lit ignition. These manual systems are cost effective and free of moving parts, making them easy to install and requiring minimal maintenance.
Match lit ignition systems typically come standard for any gas fire pits and are simple to use, requiring only a match or a lighter to light the flame. To use this type of ignition, simply open the fuel supply valve, hold a lighter or match over the burner, and gradually turn on the gas valve.
Push Button Spark Ignitions
Push button spark ignition systems allow you to light your gas fire pit with the push of a button and turn of a knob, eliminating the need for an external power supply as is needed for electronic ignitions.
Similar to lighting a grill, push button systems operate with a battery powered ignitor probe and a button module.
Electronic Ignitions
For luxury homeowners and busy commercial spaces, gas fire pits with electronic ignition systems offer unparalleled convenience and the highest level of safety.
You can control your electronic gas fire pit with a hand held remote or an on/off switch. Some models even integrate with your smartphone or home automation systems such as Alexa via bluetooth, enabling control through a dedicated app or voice commands.
"Hey Alexa, turn on the fire pit", who wouldn't love that!
Electronic ignition systems come with flame sensing technology designed to monitor the fire. If the flame goes out, the system automatically shuts down automatically to prevent gas leaks.
When installing your electronic gas fire pit, you can either install a power line to your fire pit or opt for a battery-operated system. This setup allows you to control your fire pit from a secure location, reducing the risk of guests tampering with the controls.
Gas Fire Pit Media Options
Fire pit media is a must have for every gas fire pit, it hides your burner and components from view. It also makes sure the gas spreads evenly in your fire pit, giving the flames a more natural look.
Fire Glass
Fire glass is available in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes. It is made from color infused tempered glass, which is tumbled and polished to remove sharp edges.
It's made to endure very high temperatures without changing colors, burning, melting or releasing harmful fumes, ash, soot or smoke.
Additionally, glass made for gas fire pits holds and radiates heat better than lava rock or outdoor logs, making your fire pit warm up your area more efficiently.
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Lava Rock
Lava rock is an organic fire resistant material created from volcanic magma. It serves as an attractive natural filler for gas fire pits by itself, or you can reduce costs for your fire pit setup by using a layer of lava rock as a base for more expensive fire pit media, such as fire glass and fire stones.
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Fire Pit Log Sets
Fire pit logs create a classic campfire atmosphere with your backyard gas fire pit, without the hassle of a wood-burning fire pit.
They are made from ceramic fibers, refractory ceramic or refractory cement. These materials are specifically chosen for their heat resistance and durability, ensuring that they can withstand the high temperature of a gas fire pit for extended periods.
Logs for your gas fire pit are available in a wide range of detailed finishes such as prairie oak, desert sage, beachwood campfire, and many more.
Gas Fire Pit Accessories
There are several accessories designed to enhance your gas fire pit experience. Let's take a closer look at how accessories like a glass wind guard, stainless steel lid, tank cover or weather cover can elevate your outdoor ambiance and keep your fire pit in pristine condition.
Glass Wind Guards
Glass wind guards are designed to shield your flames from gusts of wind, ensuring a consistent and uninterrupted burn. They are crafted from durable tempered glass engineered to withstand the high temperatures of a gas fire pit, ensuring many years of enjoyment.
Tank Covers
Propane tank covers are crafted to seamlessly conceal your propane tank, safeguarding it from the elements. They also serve as the perfect side table to match your propane gas fire pit, adding both functionality and style to your outdoor space.
Stainless Steel Lids
Stainless steel lids protect your gas fire pit burner system from the elements and turn your fire pit into a convenient table during the day. Made from high quality stainless steel, these lids are built to withstand the test of time.
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