Best Propane Fire Pit

Last Updated: Sep 1, 2020 @ 7:29 pm.

Best Portable Gas Fire Pit: Outland Firebowl 893 Deluxe outdoor Portable Propane Gas Fire Pit

Propane fire pits come in two basic varieties: those designed to be portable for travel (or apartments). And semi-stationary fire “tables” that also double as a coffee table.

In between these two types are fire “bowls”—they aren’t designed as coffee tables, but more as decorative additions to a patio or deck.

For the best portable propane fire pit, we’d recommend Outland model 893. Our readers who’ve used this pit have been happy with its overall performance and ease of use.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Small yet powerful—this compact fire bowl has 58,000 BTU—that puts out quite a good amount of heat!

• Easy to transport.

• Excellent build quality.

• May be used even during campfire bans (check first!).

• Includes cover and carry kit. FYI: A carry bag is an extra purchase.

• Optional accessory can covert it to natural gas. That’s great if you plan a more permanent install on a deck or patio.

• Includes lava rock.

• 10 foot hose is pre-attached.

What Needs Work

• No auto ignition. Yes, you must manually light this fire pit with each use.

• Burns quite a bit of propane.

• Higher flames? Some folks are disappointed that the flames aren’t higher for this fire pit. We see that point, but think the flames are high enough for most uses!

Best Propane Fire Pit Table: TACKLIFE Propane Fire Pit Table

Yes, there are quite a few fire pit tables on the market today—these pits also double as a coffee table for patios when covered. After surveying our readers and looking at the reliability of a dozen models out there, we decided TACKLIFE’s model GFP01 is the best bet for most folks.

First, with some fire pits approaching the cost of a mortgage payment, this model is much easier on the wallet. Yet performance is excellent—our readers are generally happy with this fire pit, even after using it for an extended period of time.

What We Liked

• Easy to assemble.

• Auto ignition.

• Cover turns it into a coffee table.

• Propane tank (not included) hides underneath and its attached via 20″ hose (included).

• Good size (28″ square table is 25″) fits nicely on most patios.

• Nice heat.

• Long burn time (about eight hours).

What Needs Work

• Ignition could be less finicky. We see occasional reports that the ignition never worked out of the box . . . or stopped working after a period of time, requiring you to light it manually.

• Uses a good amount of propane. Yes, this fire pit lasts about 8 hours on a tank (depending on how high you put the flames). Some users wished it lasted longer!

Best Decorative Gas Fire Bowl: Bond Manufacturing 63172 Newcastle Propane Fire bowl

If you’d prefer a fire bowl with a bit more panache, we’d recommend Bond Manufacturing’s Newcastle propane fire bowl (model 63172). This bowl sits on a faux stone base that provides an upgraded look compared to other fire tables. And it works well! 

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• No assembly required.

• Easy to use.

• Auto ignition.

• Great flame height.

• Propane tank hides inside pillar.

• Exterior is made of Envirostone, which is an engineered material that is durable.

• Fits nicely on most decks (needs six feet of overhead clearance and four feet from walls).

What Needs Work

• Ignition can be finicky. Unfortunately, we noticed this an issue with many fire tables and bowls—they work well initially and then give out. This model has the same drawback.

Best Gas Fire Pit Ceramic Top: Giantex Gas Fire Pit Table with Ceramic Top

We know—you like the concept of a fire pit, but all the plastic in most models looks . . . well, plastic-y.

If you have the budget, we’d suggest Giantex’s ceramic top fire pit table. As the name implies, this fire pit’s ceramic table is definitely a visual upgrade!

What We Liked

• Easy to assemble.

• 60,000 BTU burner: lots of heat!

• Electronic ignition.

• Tank hides inside table.

• Adjustable foot pads (in case your patio or deck isn’t level).

• Embossed side panels.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

• Heavy. At 65 lbs., this isn’t a fire pit you’ll be moving around much! It is best for semi-permanent installations.

• Clearer instructions? More than one user said this fire pit’s vague instructions could stand to be improved.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive product research, evaluating  brands with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

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