Fire Pit Buyer's Guide
Don't buy a fire pit you won't use.
Most fire pits end up behind the shed. They're a hassle to light, too weak to feel from your chair, or burned through in a few winters. This guide shows you how to pick one you'll light on an ordinary Tuesday, feel from your chair in October, and still love looking at on the nights it isn't lit.
- 10-year structural warranty
- Handmade to order in the USA
- Warm from your chair: gas up to 400,000 BTU
Find the fire pit you'll actually use
Seven quick questions. You'll see our pick straight away, no email needed.
Why most fire pits end up behind the shed
Read enough homeowner stories and the same three regrets keep coming up. None of them is about how the fire pit looks. All of them are decided before you buy.
"We never use it."
Building a fire becomes a production, the smoke follows everyone inside, and after the first summer it's only lit a couple of times a year.
"We barely feel the heat."
Many gas fire pits and fire tables run cold. A 30,000–60,000 BTU burner looks pretty but sends its heat straight up: you only feel it when you lean in.
"It burned through."
Thin steel burns through, block kits crack and shift, and cheap finishes rust out in a couple of winters. Then you're shopping again.
Wood or gas? It's a lifestyle question.
Neither is better. They suit different evenings. Pick the one that matches how you actually live, not the one that sounds most romantic.
Wood is for you if…
- Building and stoking the fire is half the fun
- You want the crackle, the smell and the feeling of camping out in your own backyard
- Your fires are weekend events: long evenings, s'mores, nowhere to be
- Wood fires are allowed where you live, and smoke won't bother the neighbors
Gas is for you if…
- You want a fire for twenty minutes after dinner, a glass of wine on a Tuesday
- You don't want to come back inside smelling of smoke
- Neighbors are close, or wood burning is restricted in your area
- You'd rather turn it off and walk away than wait for it to burn down
| Wood burning | Gas (natural gas or propane) | |
|---|---|---|
| The experience | Real crackle, wood smoke, the ritual of building a fire | A real flame over lava rock, no smoke, no ash to clean up |
| Starting & stopping | Takes time to build; burns down on its own | Match-lit with a key valve, or electronic ignition that lights at the push of a button |
| Installation | None: place it and use it | Connect to a natural gas line or propane supply. Have a licensed gas fitter connect it. Electronic ignition needs a standard outdoor power outlet nearby. |
| Starting price* | From $1,264 | Gas versions cost more; see each product for the exact price |
| Worth checking | Local burn rules and HOA guidelines on wood fires | Natural gas and propane units are built differently, so order the one that matches your supply |
*Fire Pit Art 36" wood-burning models. Prices shown on each product page are current.
Many gas fire pits run cold. Here's why.
Barely feel the heat? You want to feel it from your chair, not only when you lean in. Whether you do comes down to the burner's heat output, measured in BTU. Many big-box gas fire pits and fire tables are rated around 30,000–60,000 BTU: pleasant to look at, but on a cold night you feel them only up close. People who own gas fire pits often say you want 120,000 BTU or more.
What a fire pit is great at
Warming the circle of people around it, at a distance, while giving everyone something to gather around and look at. That's the job.
What it isn't
A space heater. Heat rises, so a fire pit won't warm a whole covered patio. If that's the goal, a patio heater does it better. Many people use both.
What size fire pit do you need?
A rough guide to how many people sit comfortably around each diameter. Your chairs and layout matter, so treat it as a starting point, and lean bigger if you're unsure.
The most popular size. Fits most patios.
Room to host, and our pick for colder states.
A centerpiece for larger yards.
Estates, venues, hospitality.
Done replacing fire pits? Buy one built to stay out.
Even a fire pit you love is unlit most nights of the year. So it should be something you're glad to see from the kitchen window: a sculpture by day, a fire by night. And it should survive every winter without a cover.
Carbon steel with natural patina
Most Fire Pit Art designs are cut from heavy 1/4" carbon steel and left to weather.
- Arrives with a warm iron-oxide patina that darkens a few shades, then settles. That's the intended finish, not a defect.
- No maintenance; stays outdoors in any weather
- High-temperature coated inner bowl with a rain drain
- 10-year structural warranty from Fire Pit Art
304 stainless steel
If you'd rather it stayed bright, like the Bella Vita.
- 1/4" 304 stainless, chosen because it resists rust and corrosion
- Matte bowl, polished base
- No maintenance; stays outdoors all year
- 100-year structural warranty from Fire Pit Art
Six fire pits, matched to how you'll use them
All handmade to order by Fire Pit Art in the USA and delivered free to the contiguous US.
Crater 36"
For a first real fire pit that won't need replacing.
- Wood, natural gas or propane
- 200K BTU burner in gas
- Seats 4–6
Asia
For long October nights: size up to 48" or more.
- 36", 48", 60" or 72"
- Gas burners from 125K to 400K BTU
- Numbered by the artist on a brass plaque
Linear Gas Fire Pit Table
For push-button fire after dinner, on a modern patio.
- 36" to 72" long, 110K–250K BTU
- Iron-oxide patina or powder coat
- Match-lit or electronic ignition
Bella Vita stainless
For the last fire pit you'll ever buy.
- 1/4" 304 stainless steel
- 34", 46", 58" or 70"
- 100-year structural warranty
Manta Ray 36"
For a sculpture you're glad to see every day, lit or not.
- Wood, natural gas or propane
- 200K BTU burner in gas
- Seats 4–6
Vesuvius 48"
For wood lovers with limited floor space.
- 21" wide, 48" tall
- Wood burning
- A sculpture by day, a beacon at night
The costs and rules nobody mentions
Surprises after the fact are what turn a good purchase into a regret. Here's what to check first.
Gas hookup cost
- A gas model needs a licensed gas fitter. The cost depends on how far your gas line has to run, so get two or three quotes before you order.
- No gas line nearby? A propane version runs from a tank instead. Piped natural gas usually costs less to run over the years.
- Electronic ignition needs a standard outdoor power outlet nearby.
Local rules
- Some towns restrict or fine wood burning. Check before choosing wood.
- Many have setback rules: minimum distances from your house, fences and neighbors.
- Some only allow freestanding fire pits. Every fire pit on this page is freestanding; nothing is built in.
Safe placement
- Follow the manufacturer's clearances and your local code for distance from structures and overhanging trees.
- Never leave a fire unattended, and keep a hose or extinguisher within reach.
- Gas means no flying embers, which matters if your yard is small or wooded.
Delivery day
- Each piece is made to order and shipped by freight from Fire Pit Art; allow 3–5 weeks. For Thanksgiving, order by Oct 22.
- Freight is free and includes liftgate, residential delivery and a delivery appointment, so the carrier calls you to book a time.
- It arrives on a pallet, and the larger sizes weigh 150–375 lb, so have a helper ready to move it into place.
A European eye. A US company.
Maison Bruxelle began with a love of European interiors. We kept our original name and .be address as a reminder of where we started.
Today we're operated by DAGAST LLC, a US company. Every fire pit on this page is made to order in the USA and shipped by freight directly from Fire Pit Art.
- Free delivery to the contiguous USMade to order; allow 3–5 weeks.
- Manufacturer's structural warranty10 years on carbon steel, 100 years on Bella Vita stainless.
- Prices in US dollarsNo customs, no import duties.
- A real person to talk toCall or text +1 (302) 488-9726 before you order.
Tell us how you'll use it. We'll tell you what we'd choose.
Weeknight fires or weekend bonfires? How many people? Gas line or not? Send us the details and we'll reply with the size, fuel and BTU we'd pick for you, the exact delivered price and the timeline. No pressure, no newsletter spam.
Prefer to talk? Call or text +1 (302) 488-9726, or send a text with a photo of your patio.
Questions people ask before buying
How many BTU do I need?
For a gas fire pit you can actually feel on a cool night, look well above the 30,000–60,000 BTU many big-box fire tables are rated at. The gas fire pits in this guide run from 110,000 to 400,000 BTU depending on design and size; each product page lists its exact burner. In colder states, size up one step.
Will a fire pit warm us as much as a patio heater?
Not the same way. A fire pit warms the people sitting around it; a patio heater warms an area. If you want to heat a whole covered patio, add a heater. If you want a place to gather that keeps the circle warm, a high-BTU fire pit is the better choice.
Will a gas fire pit look fake?
It's a real gas flame burning over lava rock, not an electric picture of one. It moves with the wind and throws real heat. What you give up compared with wood is the crackle and the smell.
How much does the gas hookup cost?
It depends on how far the gas line has to run to the spot you choose, so we can't quote it for you. Get two or three quotes from licensed gas fitters before ordering. A propane version can run from a tank if there's no gas line nearby.
Is it worth it if we'll only use it sometimes?
That's the right question to ask. If you'd only light a wood fire a few times a year, a gas model you can start in seconds usually gets used far more. And a sculptural piece earns its place on the nights it isn't lit, too.
How much does delivery cost, and how long does it take?
Free to the contiguous United States. It ships by freight directly from Fire Pit Art, and the delivery includes a liftgate, residential delivery and an appointment: the carrier calls you to book a time. Each fire pit is made to order, so allow 3–5 weeks. To have it for Thanksgiving, order by Thursday, October 22.
Why is your website .be?
It's our original name and web address, kept as a reminder of where Maison Bruxelle started. We're operated by DAGAST LLC, a US company, and these fire pits are made and shipped within the US.
Natural gas or propane: does it matter which I order?
Yes. Natural gas and propane versions are built differently, so order the one that matches your supply. If you're not sure, ask us before ordering.
Will a carbon steel fire pit rust?
The outside develops a natural iron-oxide patina. That's the intended finish: it darkens a few shades, then settles, and needs no maintenance. The inner bowl has a high-temperature coating and a rain drain. If you want a finish that stays bright, choose stainless steel.
Should I cover my fire pit?
Not with a tarp. Tarps trap moisture, which stops the patina from forming evenly and can stain the steel.
What warranty do I get?
Fire Pit Art's structural warranty: 10 years on carbon steel designs and 100 years on the Bella Vita stainless steel fire pit.