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. Questions before you order? Every order comes with 30-day returns, so you can pick with confidence.