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Propane Fire Pit Shopping Guide for 2021

Propane fire pits cover a lot of different needs. Whether you're looking to add some ambiance to a balcony or looking for a more controlled flame on your camping trips, propane fire pits are what you need, but sometimes buying the correct fire pit can feel complicated and difficult. Figuring out the best propane fire pit for you and your needs is essential, and this buyer's guide will ensure that you know what you're shopping for, whether you're camping out or staying in. We'll go over-

  • Portability: Whether you can take a given fire pit with you.
  • Safety: What to look for to ensure you're safe using your fire pit.
  • Heat and Ambiance: How it matches with your space and accentuates the fire.
  • Accessories: What you actually need to spend your money on.

Our selection

Mega Fire Pit

This propane fire pit is a classic, but also our largest in diameter – perfect for big backyard BBQs. This heavy-duty fire pit can stand on your patio all year long.
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Let's dive in!

Portability:

Maybe the most crucial factor in narrowing down your fire pit options is portability, as it will ultimately determine whether you can buy some fire pits. Most fire pits will be relatively lightweight and portable, which means they can be used for camping and other outdoor activities. Generally, you want to find a mobile fire pit, even if you aren't planning to move it very often as the flexibility of a portable propane fire pit is always going to be beneficial.

If you genuinely don't believe that portability is going to be a factor, then you may want to look into a fire table if you have the room in your outdoor living space.

Safety:

Whether you're looking to use your fire pit on a balcony or out in the woods, safety is incredibly important to fire pit use and should be one of your primary considerations. When it comes to fire pits, safety is divided between two categories, build and the flame itself.

buying-a-propane-fire-pit-buyers-guide-for-beginners

High-quality materials, like stainless steel burners, stainless steel fasteners, and thick protective high heat gloss enamel steel coatings, will ensure that you're buying a lasting product that will not break down when it's active or run into issues. Though fire pits are much safer than wood fire pits, low material quality, such as thin powder coat and carbon steel hardwarecan lead to premature rusting and eventual severe safety problems.

The second factor of safety is flame control and height. It can be challenging to determine how safe a flame is without purchasing and testing the fire, but luckily there is an easy way to check the general safety of any flame by checking if the product is CSA certified. CSA has determined that the fire pit delivers flame in a way that keeps it contained, which means they are approved safe to use during most firebans and even under nasty wind and rain conditions. Fire pits without this CSA approval may use flames that are too high or uncontrolled to guarantee the safety of nearby flammable surfaces and are definitely not approved for use during fire bans.  This approval is doubly essential for portable fire pits used outdoors, as outdoor fire pit safety is critical during most of the year.

Heat And Ambiance

buying-a-propane-fire-pit-buyers-guide-for-beginners

Most fire pits will come with a measurement of how many BTUs of heat they can produce in an hour. Depending on how much you want to use your fire pit as outdoor heating, this BTU measurement can be critical. When looking at the BTU of any given fire pit, ensure that you also check for safety considerations like CSA Approval, as some brands raise their BTU count by using larger, unsafe flames as opposed to using fuel delivery technology to make sure the fire burns hotter.

For those looking to use fire pits exclusively for the ambiance, measurements like BTU matter less, and the main consideration will be how the fire pit works with your outdoor area. That said, one thing to make sure a fire pit has is enamel coating. Almost all fire pits will come with a powder coat weather shield that protects the metal from the elements, but this coating does not last long and will flake and peel under use. Once the initial coating is compromised rust sets in and the powdery finish can dull the look of the flames. Look for brands like Outland Living that offer premium high heat gloss enamel coatings as it accentuates the dancing fire, fills your space with glimmering flames and won’t break down under heat.

[[ PRODUCT: DELUXE FIRE PIT  

Accessories

Many fire pit brands offer accessories that you can add to your fire pit. That said, many of these brands are offering accessories that aren't a necessity to having an enjoyable fire pit experience. When you're looking at accessories, the three most important ones are:

  • Carry Bags for Mobility
  • Natural Gas Conversion Kits for Home Use
  • Y-Splitter

Carrying cases are almost essential for anyone looking to keep their fire pit mobile or bring it camping with them. Though it may feel like your fire pit doesn't need a case when you initially unpack it, moving them will be difficult without a dedicated carrying case, which makes this feature well worth the money. A good carrying case will turn your fire pit into an item you can carry with one hand, which is incredibly beneficial.

buying-a-propane-fire-pit-buyers-guide-for-beginners

The second essential accessory to keep an eye on is a natural gas conversion kit. Though this won't benefit everyone, buyers who have a natural gas line in their homes will save a good amount of money on propane if they use one of these conversion kits on their fire pit. When shopping, make sure that your fire pit is compatible with one of these conversion kits if you have access to natural gas.

A final accessory to keep in mind is a Y splitter, which will allow you to split a single cylinder of propane between two items, like a gas stove and the fire pit. However, this is only a consideration if you have multiple sources using the propane.

Buying In 2020-2021

Due to the circumstances surrounding 2020/2021, most propane fire pit purchases are going to be done online. This is why looking for critical things like CSA approval, high BTU counts, enamel coating, stainless steel burners and stainless steel fasteners are essential to making an informed purchase.  Ensuring that you get a fire pit that is safe to use and meets your unique needs is critical, and buying smart is an integral part of that.

Our selection

Deluxe Fire Pit

This compact fire pit is identical to the Standard, but comes with a Cover + Carry Kit. This makes traveling convenient, while keeping your fire pit protected.
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Common questions

Is A Fire Pit Legal in my Area?
Most city bans on fire are bans on open burning, which traditionally don't affect propane fire pits. Additionally, safe fire pits are CSA certified for use even during burn bans meaning that your fire pit will be safe and legal for use all year round. If you have questions about your local area, contact a local fire authority.
Why A Propane Fire Pit Instead of a Fire Pit Table?
Fire pit tables are larger and much less portable than a propane fire pit. Depending on your outdoor space, a fire pit table may be the perfect accent to your porch or backyard, but for smaller spaces or families looking to take their fire pit with them, the smaller propane fire pits are going to be a much better option.
Is My Propane Fire Pit Okay Outside?
Fire pits are weather resistant and the best models are going to have durable metals in their construction along with the weatherproof powder and enamel coating. This means that your fire pit will be safe for use even in relatively harsh conditions, but it's always good to take your fire pit inside if it's not in use. Rough weather will wear on the fire pit over time if it's always left outside, but you don't need to worry if it's stuck on the balcony during a storm every now and then.
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Outland Living is the premier brand for outdoor patio and camping equipment. We love to share our knowledge with you. Read more about patios and gardening.