The 13 Best Propane Fire Pits of 2022

Best Overall

Camp Chef Ponderosa Fire Pit

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Our best overall pick is the Ponderosa Fire Pit. We love this option because it mimics the look and feel of a campfire but because of its automatic ignition, is much easier to start. Many similar products have manual ignitions, which require you to turn on the gas and light the fire yourself with a match or long-handled lighter, while this fire pit is even more simple—you turn a knob as you would on a gas grill, sending flames into the steel bowl that’s filled with lava rocks. 

The Ponderosa’s 24-inch round bowl sits elevated on four legs, which we find sturdier—especially on uneven ground—than the round-ring base on competitors. We also love that the fire pit is portable and can be used in many different types of spaces. This is one of the largest freestanding portable fire pits so it’s big enough to be the centerpiece for a small group. But because of its low, 15-inch profile, the bowl shouldn’t overwhelm a small patio or balcony. 

The Ponderosa also boasts one of the highest BTUs at 64,000, resulting in bigger, warmer flames, which are adjustable by turning the knob that’s easily accessed on the side of the bowl. The plastic red knob is easy to find in the dark and is the only design element that stands out, allowing the focus to be on the flames.

Like most similar fire pits, you’ll attach the Ponderosa’s included five-foot hose to a standard 20-pound propane tank that you provide. We would prefer the hose be longer so you can move the propane tank further away, especially if you’re trying to fit a group around the fire. However, the Ponderosa’s hose attachment is at the back of the fire pit instead of near the on/off knob so you can adjust the fire pit without the hose in the way. The Ponderosa also comes with a metal lid to protect the fire pit’s components when you’re not using it. For additional protection, Ponderosa makes a matching cover for about $20.

Price at time of publish: $299

_{Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 15 inches | BTUs: 64,000 | Material: Alloy steel, 20-pounds lava rocks | Weight: 47.5 pounds | Ignition Type: Automatic}

Best Fire Table

Best Choice 52-inch Outdoor Wicker Propane Fire Pit Table

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Like most gas grills, many fire pit tables include an area designed to store—and hide—the 20-pound propane tank that fuels the fire. The trick is finding a fire pit that has easy access to the propane tank, as you need to be able to manually open and close the tank’s shutoff valve. That’s why we love the slide-out compartment on the Best Choice Outdoor Wicker Propane Fire Pit Table. The compartment operates like a drawer and allows you to slide the tank in and out so you can easily reach its valve and hose. Many competitors simply have a storage space for the tank hidden inside the table. To operate the tank, you would typically have to remove a table wall or open a door and reach inside (and possibly encounter spiders!) to access the valve. 

The rest of the fire pit’s features are also highly appealing. The table’s weather-resistant wicker body and aluminum tabletop protected with weather-resistant stain are durable as well as stylish. While most fire tables include lava rocks to place in the actual pit, we love that Best Choice instead includes the more glamorous fire-resistant glass beads. 

The fire pit itself is protected by a removable lid, which you can store on a thoughtfully placed hook located on the table’s side. A removable glass shield surrounds the flames, protecting them from the wind and keeping the fire from touching whatever you place on the table. When you’re not using the table, you can protect it from the elements with the thick soft cover that’s included, although you’ll have to remove the glass shield if you want to cover the entire table. If you’re not comfortable with assembling furniture, you may want to find someone to put the table together.  

Price at time of publish: $799

_{Dimensions: 52 x 34 x 24.75 (30.25 with glass shield) inches | BTUs: 50,000 | Material: All-weather wicker, glass, aluminum  | Weight: 73 pounds | Ignition Type: Electronic}

Best Budget

Camp Chef Compact Fire Ring

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Camp Chef’s Compact Fire Ring is a bargain for those looking for a fire pit that favors function over style. This 15-inch metal ring with decorative pine tree cutouts on its ring has an on-off valve that’s much more industrial looking than the turn knobs on more expensive models. But the Compact Ring is just one-third the price of our best overall pick, the Ponderosa, which is also made by Camp Chef. Unlike the Ponderosa, this ring is 9-inches smaller and has a manual rather than automatic ignition. But consider this: The Compact Fire Ring is still more than half the price of our best manual ignition pick, the Outland Living Mega Firebowl, and comes with more fire pit accessories. For about $80, you get a fire pit, a soft-sided zippered carrying case, two metal roasting sticks for lightweight foods like marshmallows and hot dogs, and 12 pounds of lava rocks.

As the name suggests, the Compact Fire Ring is indeed easily portable, weighing about 10 pounds less than our best manual ignition pick from Outland Living, and more than 20 pounds less than the Ponderosa. The fire ring’s footprint can go even smaller as the three metal tripod legs fold against the ring’s body, making it easier to store or transport. 

While this fire ring is popular for camping and can certainly be used at home, the device’s metal bottom will get hot when you’re using it so you won’t want to place it on surfaces that can’t handle high heat. Although the legs keep the 8-inch high fire pit from sitting directly on the ground, the hot metal will still be close to the ground. Note that like most competitors, the Compact Fire Ring attaches to a 20-pound propane tank that you’ll need to provide.

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 8 inches | BTUs: 55,000 | Material: Heavy gauge steel, 12 pounds lava rocks | Weight: 25 pounds | Ignition Type: Manual}

Best Tabletop

Ukiah Loom X Table-Top Fire Pit

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The Loom X is a versatile, portable fire pit that can be used on a tabletop or other surface thanks to its rear-mounted, 10-foot hose that attaches to the propane tank. Most fire pits that are designed to be used on a table are outfitted with hoses on the bottom that are only designed to be used with an umbrella hole in the center of a traditional patio table. This is problematic if your table lacks an umbrella hole because then you can’t use the fire pit—however, this is not an issue with this option.

The Loom is made by Ukiah, the same company that makes the Tailgater X, our best camping pick. So not surprisingly, the Loom also has clean, modern lines. The Loom comes in classic black that will match most decor, but you can also choose cheery, bright contemporary colors from the Blossom series including Chili, Lime, Sky, and Pineapple.

The Loom is only 17 pounds but puts out a lot of heat through its stainless steel burner: 40,000 BTUs. If that’s too much for you, you can use the dial on the side of the powder-coated steel body to adjust the flames. If you want an upgrade, Ukiah is known for its “Beat to Music” fire pits that synchronize your flames to music and the company makes a Loom II fire pit with that capability. The result is sort of like your own personal backyard version of the Las Vegas Bellagio fountain.

Price at time of publish: $153

_{Dimensions: 28 x 9 x 6 inches | BTUs: 40,000 | Material: Powder-coated steel, glass fire rocks | Weight: 17 pounds | Ignition Type: Electric}

Best Fire Bowl

Real Flame 58-inch Oval Propane Fire Bowl

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We love that Real Flame’s 28-inch stainless steel burner that provides the flames for the fire bowl is as generous as the 58-inch long bowl itself. The large burner size allows the flames to spread out around the bowl rather than be concentrated solely in the bowl’s center, as is the case with some other fire bowls. The bowl comes with a gray pumice stone that adds a more sophisticated look than the reddish lava rocks that competing fire bowls typically come with. But if you want to fill the bowl with fire glass instead, Real Flame recommends buying about 105 pounds.

The fire bowl comes with a soft vinyl cover. If you want to use the bowl as a table, you can buy a matching 27-pound black powder-coated steel lid, which will also protect the burner from the weather and debris.

The fire bowl weighs 105 pounds, but if you order it from Pottery Barn, the cost includes the company’s “White Glove” delivery, which means someone else will deliver, unpack, assemble, and place your fire bowl where you want it. Because the propane tank is housed outside the bowl and connects to the burner via an 8-foot hose, consider where you’ll place the fuel source so the focus is on the bowl and not the tank. You can buy Real Flame’s matching concrete tank holder but you can use any propane tank cover. 

Price at time of publish: $1,340

_{Dimensions: 58 x 32.25 x 17.25 inches | BTUs: 50,000 | Material: Fiber-cast concrete, steel, pumice stone | Weight: 105 pounds | Ignition Type: Electronic}

Best for Small Spaces

Best Choice Products 28in Gas Fire Pit Table

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This 28-inch square fire table is ideal for small spaces and can also double as a table when the fire pit isn’t lit. Simply place the hard cover lid over the sunken fire bowl that’s located in the middle of the table and you can use the entire table top. When you uncover the fire bowl, you can hang the lid on a thoughtfully placed hook located on the table’s side. This square fire pit is made by Best Choice, the company that makes our pick for best fire table, and includes the company’s durable weather-resistant wicker and aluminum tabletop protected with weather-resistant stain. You also get glass beads to decorate your fire bowl instead of traditional lava rocks. Although the 28-inch square is smaller than its 52-inch rectangular cousin, both produce 50,000 BTUs of heat. 

The biggest difference is this smaller table lacks the slide-out propane storage compartment. The 20-pound propane tank can still be housed in the table’s body, but to reach the valve you remove one side of the table, which easily attaches to the body via a magnet. There is also no glass shield to protect the flames from the wind, although you can either buy one separately or upgrade to the Best Choice Square Table with Wind Guard.

Price at time of publish: $300

_{Dimensions: 28 x 28 x 24.75 inches | BTUs: 50,000 | Material: All-weather wicker, aluminum, glass beads  | Weight: 59 pounds | Ignition Type: Automatic}

Best for Camping

Ukiah Tailgater X

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We love the sleek, minimalist lines of the Tailgater X powder-coated steel portable fire pit. Ukiah, a company based in the Pacific Northwest, created the sophisticated, modern design by modifying a basic black box. When not in use, the Tailgater looks like a contemporary end table—and you can use it as such, as the fire pit is made from weather-resistant steel. Underneath the magnetic lid is a stainless steel “x” that will produce adjustable flames that can reach 48,000 BTUs.

The 10-foot hose that attaches to a 20-pound propane tank discreetly attaches to the bottom side of the Tailgater. If the fire pit is run on its highest setting, the company says the Tailgater should last for four hours. Unlike most competitors, the Tailgater has an electronic ignition switch that requires a battery to operate. If the switch fails, the company says you can still manually ignite the gas with a lighter. 

Two inset handles on the sides allow you to easily lift the 22.6-pound fire pit. You can also buy a matching  zippered carrying case so you can take it camping or, as the name suggests, tailgating.

Price at time of publish: $232

_{Dimensions: 14 x 15.8 x 17.7 inches | BTUs: 48,000 | Material: Powder-coated steel, lava rocks  | Weight: 22.6 pounds | Ignition Type: Electronic}

Best Coffee Table

Elementi Metropolis Rectangle Pedestal Fire Pit Table

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Elementi’s Metropolis Rectangle Pedestal Fire Pit Table is pricey, but that’s to be expected for a quality concrete fire pit. While you can find faux concrete fire pits from big box stores that are considerably cheaper, they tend to be made of thin, fragile concrete-looking materials that are prone to impact damage and cracking. The table’s 164-pound high-strength glass fiber reinforced concrete frame is protected by sealant and also comes with an additional canvas cover. 

Most fire tables position the fire bowl in the center of the table, so the asymmetrical placement of the bowl gives the Metropolis table a distinctive, memorable look along with extra table space. You can easily imagine putting your feet up on this coffee table without burning yourself.

The table is heavy, but if you order it from West Elm, the furniture company owned by Williams-Sonoma, the cost includes West Elm’s “White Glove” delivery, which means someone else will deliver, unpack, assemble and place your fire table where you want it. Because the propane tank is housed elsewhere and connects to the fire table via a 10-foot hose, consider where you’ll place the fuel source so the focus is on the table and not the tank. If you want an equally stylish propane tank holder, you can buy Elementi’s square or round concrete tank holders or you can use any propane tank cover.

Price at time of publish: $1,700

_{Dimensions: 56 x 32 x 14 inches | BTUs: 45,000 | Material: Glass fiber reinforced concrete, stainless steel, 13.2 pounds lava rock | Weight: 164 pounds | Ignition Type: Electronic}

Best Portable

Ignik FireCan Portable Fire Pit

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At 11.19 pounds, the Ignik FireCan is one of the lightest fire pits we found, making it ideal for trips where space and weight matter. Although the name FireCan implies your fire pit will be round like a traditional can, the Ignik is actually shaped like a rectangular box. The two longest sides of the box, which Ignik calls “flame screens,” allow the flames to be seen through lattice-style metal mesh cutouts. This is a nice feature for those who prefer their flames to be more contained or are trying to enjoy a fire in windy conditions. Unlike an open fire bowl, which typically uses lava rocks to hide the fire pit’s mechanics, the FireCan’s sides focus your attention on the flames rather than the device’s bottom. The FireCan doesn’t come with lava rocks and you don’t need to use them if you’re trying to pack lighter. But if you prefer, you can use rocks or certified fire pit stones such as Ignik’s five-pound bags of smooth, tumbled fire rocks one-pound bags of “Moon Rocks,” which are modern-looking decorative ceramic stones.

Those who are nervous about lighting a manual fire pit should appreciate the lighting port. This simple but thoughtful feature is a hole that allows you to place the end of your long-handled lighter in the FireCan without getting your hand near the flames.

You can carry the FireCan like a toolbox by using the handle on the removable, lockable lid and there are also two insulated silicone-covered handles on the sides. The four legs fold against the box’s body and you can store the removable 5-foot hose that connects to your propane tank inside the FireCan when you’re not using it.

The FireCan is made by Ignik, a Seattle-based company with a heavy focus on sustainability. Although the FireCan can attach to various-sized propane tanks like a standard 20-pound tank, Ignik sells refillable fueling options including a  5-pound refillable Gas Growler as an alternative to single-use 1-pound propane tanks commonly used for camping. The company estimates the 1.2 gallons of propane in a standard Growler can run a FireCan on its highest setting for roughly 2.5-3 hours. 

Price at time of publish: $199

_{Dimensions: 12 x 6 x 7.5 inches | BTUs: 38,000 | Material: Steel | Weight: 11.19 pounds | Ignition Type: Manual}

Best Steel

Cuisinart Chiminea Propane Fire Pit

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This modern take on a traditional chiminea is made by Cuisinart, the company famous for its kitchen appliances and cooking equipment. We love that the fire pit has a directional heat shield, which makes it perfect for spaces that won’t accommodate a typical 360-degree open fire pit. The chiminea design also serves as a built-in wind guard. Although the chiminea is made from painted black steel and stainless steel and looks heavy, it’s actually only 45.5 pounds and is deceptively lightweight so you can move it or turn to move the flames away from the wind. 

The back of the chiminea includes a hidden compartment for a 20-pound propane tank. Because of the unusual size, you may have difficulty finding a generic cover but Cuisinart makes a matching cover you can buy separately that’s designed to fit its chiminea.

Price at time of publish: $500

_{Dimensions: 31 x 31 x 48 inches | BTUs: 40,000 | Material: Steel, stainless steel, 8 pounds lava rock | Weight: 45.5 pounds | Ignition Type: Automatic}

Best Furniture Set

Agio Anderson 5-piece Fire Outdoor Seating Set

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Agio’s Anderson 5-piece set is an all-in-one way to get an entire outdoor seating area with matching fire pit table. And there’s plenty of comfortable seating, as you get two all-weather wicker love seats and two swivel chairs. The thick cushions and pillows are covered with durable Sunbrella fabric, which is famous for its weather- and fade-resistant qualities. The cushions are a neutral beige so if you’re not a fan of the beige and cream floral pillows, you can always swap them out for something that better suits your decor. 

The fire table itself is one of our favorite kinds, as, like our pick for best fire table, includes a slide-out compartment that houses a 20-pound propane tank. The compartment operates like a drawer and allows you to slide the tank in and out so you can easily reach its valve and hose. The wicker table is topped with decorative porcelain tile, and the fire bowl includes a hard lid cover that protects the burner when you’re not using it. 

Price at time of publish: $3,300

_{Dimensions: Chair: 30.5 x 32.6 x 35 inches, Loveseat: 52.5 x 32.6 x 35.3 | BTUs: 30,000 | Material: All-weather wicker, Sunbrella fabric, rust-resistant aluminum, porcelain tile | Ignition Type: Automatic}

Best With Manual Ignition

Outland Living Mega Firebowl

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If you like our best overall pick, the Ponderosa Fire Pit. but prefer to literally light your own fire, you’ll love the Outland Living’s Mega Fire Pit. It requires you to manually ignite the gas after you release it by turning an easily accessible knob on the side of the fire pit. The instructions recommend using a long-handled lighter rather than a match to keep your hand away from the flames. 

Both the Ponderosa and the Mega have a 24-inch bowl, sturdy legs and flames that can be adjusted by turning the on/off knob. But the Mega is 13 pounds lighter, which may be important to you if you plan to use your fire pit while camping or tailgating. The 10-foot long pre-attached hose that connects the Mega to the 20-pound propane tank that you provide is twice as long as our overall pick’s 5-foot hose. The extra length allows you to place the propane tank further away from the fire pit, giving you more wiggle room to place the tank out of sight. Note that the hose attaches to the fire pit close to the control knob and the sides are covered with silver warning labels, which detract from the overall aesthetics. 

A few other differences between the Ponderosa and the Mega to consider: The Ponderosa includes 20 pounds of lava rocks and the Mega only comes with 4.4 pounds of lava rocks, so you may want to buy more to cover the bottom of the pit. The Ponderosa also comes with a metal lid that serves as its cover while the Mega comes with a soft cover that fits over the top. But we recommend buying a zippered carrying case to store or carry your fire pit, especially if you’re planning to take it camping or tailgating.

Price at time of publish: $250

_{Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 13 inches | BTUs: 58,000 | Material: Powder-coated steel, 4.4 pounds lava rocks | Weight: 34 pounds | Ignition Type: Manual}