Pros 

🔥 Authentic Experience – It’s hard to beat the crackling sound, smoky aroma, and natural ambiance of a real wood fire. You can even cook over your wood fire pit! They’re great for quick fireside meals and of course, roasting marshmallows for s’mores. 

🔥 High BTU Output – Wood fire pits burn extremely hot, making them ideal for colder climates and extended use. 

🔥 Lower Upfront Cost – Purchasing a wood fire pit is generally more affordable than gas, with many DIY and portable options available. 

🔥 Versatile Fuel Source – Firewood is widely available. You can use a variety of different seasoned hardwoods, like oak, maple, pine, elm, and hickory. 

Cons 

❌ More Maintenance – Ash and soot require regular cleanup, and firewood needs proper storage to stay dry. Consider stacking your logs on a firewood rack to keep them organized, dry, and ready to burn.  

❌ Smoke & Sparks – While the scent and sounds of burning logs is appealing to many, wood fire pits produce smoke and stray embers, which can create a fire hazard in windy conditions.  

❌ Longer Start-Up & Cool-Down – Wood fires take time to build and extinguish properly. 

❌ Restricted Use – Some urban areas have fire bans or restrictions on wood burning fire pits due to air quality concerns. 

Pros 

🔥 Instant Ignition – With the push of a button or turn of a knob, gas fire pits provide immediate flames and heat. Some gas fire pits even offer convenient, electronic ignition systems with hand-held remotes and smart controls. 

🔥 Clean Burning – Gas fire pits don’t produce any smoke, ash, or soot, making for a mess-free, low-maintenance experience. 

🔥 Variety of Designs – You can choose from an array of styles to match your space and lifestyle — including fire pit tables for extra functionality. You can also upgrade your gas fire pit with different media, like decorative stones and fire glass, for a custom burning display.  

🔥 Safer & More Controlled – Unlike wood burning fire pits, gas models don't produce any flying embers, and you can easily adjust the flame intensity.  

Cons 

❌ Higher Upfront Cost – Gas fire pits, especially those requiring a Natural Gas hookup, are more expensive to install than wood fire pits. 

❌ Fuel Supply Dependency – Propane tanks need refilling and Natural Gas requires a fixed connection, limiting your fire pit’s portability. 

❌ Potential Gas Leaks – It’s important to make sure all the parts of your gas fire pit are operating correctly, otherwise you could experience a dangerous gas leak. You’ll need to clean and inspect your fire pit regularly.