A fire pit turns a patio into the room everyone gravitates to — and it extends your outdoor season by months. But "fire pit" covers everything from a 20-lb steel bowl to a 200-lb concrete dining table with a burner in the middle. Here's how to pick the right one the first time.
1. Start with fuel: propane vs. wood
Propane (gas) fire pits light instantly, burn clean with no smoke or embers, and are allowed on most patios and decks where wood fires aren't. The trade-offs: you'll keep a 20-lb tank nearby (most tables hide it inside the base), and the flame is more ambience than bonfire.
Wood-burning pits give you the crackle, the smell, and real cooking heat — but also smoke, sparks, ash cleanup, and rules: many HOAs and municipalities restrict open wood fires, so check local codes first.
If your fire pit is going on a deck, near seating, or under any kind of cover, propane is almost always the right answer.
2. Pick a material for your climate
- Aluminum — light, rust-proof, easy to move. Best all-around for coastal and humid areas.
- Steel — affordable and sturdy; look for a powder-coated or high-temperature finish, and plan on a cover to keep rust away.
- Concrete / GFRC composite — the modern-patio look, very stable in wind, stays put once placed. Heavy — decide the location before delivery.
- Wicker-wrapped (HDPE resin) — matches outdoor sofa sets; the resin never touches the flame area and shrugs off sun and rain.
3. Size it to your seating
The most common mistake is buying a pit that's too small for the circle around it. Rough guide:
- 28–34" round bowl — 4 chairs, casual backyard use.
- 40–48" fire pit table — 6+ seats; doubles as a drink ledge, the usual pick for a conversation set.
- Rectangular fire tables (52"+) — anchor a full outdoor sofa sectional; flame sits at coffee-table height.
Leave at least 5–7 feet between the flame and anything flammable, and put the pit on a level, non-combustible surface.
4. Features worth paying for
- CSA/ETL-certified burner on gas models.
- Hidden tank storage so the propane bottle isn't sitting beside the table.
- Included cover and lava rock / fire glass — buying them separately adds up.
- Convertible top — a lid that turns the pit into a full table when the flame is off.
Where to start
Browse our fire pit collection — every model ships free in the U.S. If you're building the whole space, pair it with an outdoor conversation set, add a couple of side tables, and see the full outdoor furniture range for everything else. Hosting dinner instead of gathering around the flame? See our patio dining set buying guide for sizing and material picks. Questions before you order? Every order comes with 30-day returns, so you can pick with confidence.