A close-up view of a steel gas fire pit with black lava rock fire media and bright, yellow flames.

Natural Gas vs Propane

Which gas fire pit is right for your home?

Last Updated: November 20, 2023


Gas fire pits have many advantages. They are easy to use, burn very cleanly, and require less maintenance than wood burning styles.

There are two gas types available – Propane and Natural Gas. Before buying a gas fire pit, you will need to decide which fuel source best fits your lifestyle.

Below, we’ve listed the benefits of both Propane and Natural Gas to help you find the perfect fire pit for your outdoor space.

BENEFITS OF PROPANE:

  • Portable
  • Easy to use
  • Minimal smoke
  • Simple installation

Propane fire pits are very easy to use and require minimal installation. You can simply hook up a Propane tank to the fire pit, check for leaks, then turn it on.

Most Propane tanks are small and portable, meaning you can move the fire pit from place to place.

If you have a large Propane tank on-site, you can run a gas line underground that connects to the fire pit, to make it a permanent part of your outdoor living space.

If seeing the Propane tank is a concern for you, not to worry! There are many styles available that hide the tank from view.

Our most popular style is the “hidden tank” fire pit. Hidden tank fire pits house the Propane tank in the base and often have a door on one side, known as an “access door”. This door allows you to easily swap the tank out when it's empty.

Styles that can’t hide a Propane tank underneath require it to be stored outside of the fire pit, usually within 10 feet. In this instance, a matching tank enclosure may be available, such as a side table, to hide the Propane tank from view. Tank enclosures are a great option if you want to have a functional accent piece that coordinates with your fire pit.

BENEFITS OF NATURAL GAS:

  • Easy to use
  • Burns clean
  • Permanent Installation
  • Fuel is always available (no need to refill a Propane tank)

Natural gas fire pits are a great option if you want to add a permanent fire feature to your backyard. They do, however, require a gas line to be installed.

If a gas line is not already available, you will need to hire a professional to install the line and hook up your fire pit.

This might sound time-consuming, but once the gas is connected, your fire pit will have a constant fuel source.

You won't need to refill a Propane tank, saving you time and money. You can simply turn your fire pit on, relax, and never have to worry about the flames going out.

A constant flow of gas also allows you to use more fuel at once to create a bigger fire and more warmth.

Overall, gas fire pits require very little maintenance. You won't have to add kindling to the fire, monitor it while it burns, or make sure it's been properly put out at the end of the night. You also won't have to keep a stack of firewood on hand.

Operating a gas fire pit is incredibly easy, too. With just the flip of a switch or turn of a knob, you can start and stop the fire whenever you'd like. Some gas fire pits also feature modern, remote-controlled ignition systems and the ability to control the fire from your smart device.

You can learn more about your ignition system options here.

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WE'RE HERE TO HELP

Do you have more questions for us? Contact one of our NFI Certified specialists at (800) 919-1904 today!

MORE RESOURCES:

Read our top fire pit maintenance & safety tips to keep your fire pit burning for years to come.

Is it safe to use a fire pit under your covered patio? Here's everything you need to know.

Check out this gorgeous customer spotlight to see how fire can enhance your outdoor space.