The best propane fire pit for most patios is the Elementi Granville Fire Table at $1,789 — 60" x 27", 45,000 BTU/hr, electronic ignition. But the spec that decides the purchase is not heat. It is whether the unit hides a 20 lb tank inside its own body. Only 5 of our 12 picks do.
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How did we choose these 12 propane fire pits?
Outdoor Heat Direct sells every product on this page. We are an authorized dealer for all five brands listed and we make money if you buy one. You should know that before you read the rankings.
We pulled every propane-configured item in our propane fire pit and fire table collection — over 500 products — and kept only units in active production with published dimensions, published BTU ratings and a named burner material. Then we sorted the survivors by the variable that separates a good propane install from a bad one: what happens to the tank. Prices are live catalog starting prices; size, finish and ignition move them.
What are the 12 best propane fire pits and fire tables of 2026?
| Pick | Model | From | Size (in) | BTU/hr | Material | Ignition | Tank inside? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Elementi Granville | $1,789 | 60 x 27 x 17 | 45,000 | GFRC + 304 SS | Electronic | No |
| Best value under $1,500 | Elementi Manhattan | $1,299 | 36 x 36 x 16 | 45,000 | GFRC + 304 SS | Electronic | No |
| Best hidden tank storage | Modeno Mansfield Column | $1,049 | 26 x 28 x 28 | 40,000 | GFRC | Electronic | Yes |
| Best bar height | Elementi Rova Bar Table | $1,479 | 34 x 34 x 42 | 40,000 | GFRC + 304 SS | Electronic | Yes |
| Best balcony or small patio | Modeno Lava Tube | $629 | 17.7 dia x 27.5 | 40,000 | GFRC | Electronic | No |
| Best for a sectional | Elementi Hampton | $1,879 | 56 x 32 x 14 | 45,000 | GFRC + 304 SS | Electronic | No |
| Best concrete | Prism Hardscapes Porto 58 | $4,438 | 58 x 38 x 22 | 65,000 | Hand-cast GFRC | Key valve | Yes |
| Best metal | The Outdoor Plus Pismo | $2,597 | 48 x 24 x 24 | 65,000 | Steel / SS / copper | Match or electronic | Yes |
| Best fire bowl | Modeno Nantucket | $650 | 26 dia x 14 | 40,000 | GFRC, 150 lbs | Electronic | No |
| Best round | Modeno Venice | $999 | 34 x 34 x 15 | 50,000 | GFRC + 304 SS | Electronic | No |
| Best for a deck | Modeno York Bowl | $799 | 26.8 dia x 14.4 | 40,000 | GFRC, 61 lbs | Electronic | No |
| Best commercial splurge | Slick Rock Oasis Rect. | $4,498 | 48 x 31 x 20.25 | 200,000–300,000 | GFRC, 10,990 psi | Match or AWEIS 24V | Yes |
Starting prices, September 2026. BTU figures are manufacturer-published.
Best overall: Elementi Granville Fire Table
From $1,789. 60 x 27 x 17 in · 45,000 BTU/hr · 30" linear burner in 16-gauge 304 stainless · GFRC body · electronic ignition with auto shut-off · CSA and CE certified.
The Granville wins on burner geometry. A 30" linear burner in a 41.3" x 11.3" pan spreads flame across the table length instead of clustering it in a 12" ring — which is what you feel on the long side of a 60" table.
Not for you if the tank has to disappear. There is no internal storage; the bottle sits alongside under a separate cover, so budget for that.
See the Elementi Granville Fire Table
Best value under $1,500: Elementi Manhattan Fire Table
From $1,299. 36 x 36 x 16 in · 45,000 BTU/hr · 12" burner ring in 16-gauge 304 stainless · 20.3" burner pan · cast concrete · electronic ignition with auto shut-off.
Same 45,000 BTU output and the same 16-gauge 304 stainless burner hardware as the Granville, in a square that fits a four-chair set. Sixteen gauge matters because the pan sits closest to the flame, and thin steel warps first.
Not for you if you are seating six. A 36" square leaves roughly 12" of ledge per side, and the fifth chair sits outside the heat.
See the Elementi Manhattan Fire Table
Best with hidden tank storage: Modeno Mansfield Fire Column
From $1,049. 26 x 28 x 28 in · 40,000 BTU/hr · 304 stainless burner · GFRC carved as a redwood trunk · electronic ignition with auto shut-off · side access door.
This is the least expensive unit we sell that swallows a full 20 lb tank inside its own base and gives you a side door to swap it. The whole problem of propane, solved for $1,049, with no second purchase and no bottle in the sightline.
Not for you if you want somewhere to set a drink. The top is the burner — there is no ledge.
See the Modeno Mansfield Fire Column
Best bar height: Elementi Rova Bar Table
From $1,479. 34 x 34 x 42 in · 40,000 BTU/hr · 9.8" burner ring in 18-gauge 304 stainless · wood-grain GFRC · CSA certified · conceals a 20 lb tank in the 22" x 22" base · 10 ft hose and cover included.
Bar-height fire tables usually leave the bottle in plain view because the base is a pedestal, not a cabinet. The Rova's base is a cabinet — the right answer for a narrow patio where people stand more than they sit.
Not for you if your seating is a low lounge set. At 42" the flame sits above the eye line of anyone in a deep sectional.
See the Elementi Rova Bar Table
Best small patio or balcony: Modeno Lava Tube Fire Pit
From $629. 17.7 in diameter x 27.5 in · 40,000 BTU/hr · 9.8" burner ring in 18-gauge 304 stainless · 12.2" pan · GFRC · electronic ignition with auto shut-off.
A 17.7" footprint is smaller than most patio side tables, and this is the least expensive gas fire feature in our catalog. It still runs a real 304 stainless ring and a real auto shut-off, which most sub-$700 units do not.
Not for you if you need to heat a group. At 40,000 BTU/hr through a 9.8" ring this is an ambiance piece for two or three.
See the Modeno Lava Tube Fire Pit
Best large or for a sectional: Elementi Hampton Fire Table
From $1,879. 56 x 32 x 14 in · 45,000 BTU/hr · 30" linear burner in 16-gauge 304 stainless · 41.3" x 11.3" pan · cast concrete · electronic ignition with auto shut-off.
Fourteen inches tall is why this one goes in front of a sectional. Most fire tables sit at 16" to 17", above the seat cushion of a deep sofa; the Hampton works as an actual coffee table, with a 30" burner running the length of the body.
Not for you if you plan to eat at it. At 14" high, plates end up in laps.
See the Elementi Hampton Fire Table
Best concrete: Prism Hardscapes Porto 58 Propane Fire Table
From $4,438. 58 x 38 x 22 in · 65,000 BTU/hr · 24" stainless "H" burner · hand-cast glass fiber reinforced cement · 450 lbs · key valve ignition · 12"/11" edge · access door for a 20 lb tank.
Prism Hardscapes designed the Porto as a propane model rather than adapting a natural gas body. The tank goes inside behind a door, the burner is a 24" H-pattern rather than a ring, and the 12" edge is wide enough to set a plate on.
Not for you if you want push-button starting. This is key valve only — there is no electronic variant.
See the Prism Hardscapes Porto 58
Best metal: The Outdoor Plus Pismo Metal Fire Pit
From $2,597. 48 x 24 x 24 in at base size · 65,000 BTU/hr · 36" x 12" burning area · 145 lbs · stainless pan, burner, brass valve and hoses included · access door for the tank · match lit or 110V electronic · sizes to 84" at 100,000 BTU/hr.
One of the few metal fire pits built with a tank door from the factory rather than a hollow base you improvise with. You also choose the metal — powder-coated steel, stainless, Corten or hammered copper — a real decision near salt air.
Not for you if you want electronic ignition and have no outlet nearby. That system is 110V plug-and-play, and running a circuit mid-patio is not a small job.
See The Outdoor Plus Pismo Metal Fire Pit
Best fire bowl: Modeno Nantucket Fire Bowl
From $650. 26 in diameter x 14 in · 40,000 BTU/hr · 150 lbs · GFRC with a stainless burner · push-button spark ignition with auto shut-off · CSA approved · lava rock and canvas cover included.
At $650 with media and cover in the box, this is the cheapest way into a genuine cast-concrete bowl rather than a steel bowl with a concrete finish. The 150 lb mass is the point: it stays put and holds heat after shut-off. Compare it against our wider fire bowl range.
Not for you if you rearrange furniture seasonally. One hundred and fifty pounds with no handholds is a two-person lift every time.
See the Modeno Nantucket Fire Bowl
Best round: Modeno Venice Fire Table
From $999. 34 x 34 x 15 in, round · 50,000 BTU/hr · 12" burner ring in 18-gauge 304 stainless · 17.8" pan · GFRC · electronic ignition with auto shut-off · 13.2 lbs lava rock included.
Fifty thousand BTU/hr for $999 is the best heat-per-dollar figure among our round propane tables, and round geometry is what you want when seating is a circle rather than a row — nobody gets the corner. See it against the rest of the round fire pits we carry.
Not for you if you want the spread of a linear burner. A 12" ring concentrates fire in the middle, and people at arm's length feel less of it.
See the Modeno Venice Fire Table
Best for a deck: Modeno York Fire Bowl
From $799. 26.8 in diameter x 14.4 in · 61 lbs · 40,000 BTU/hr · stainless burner ring and burn pan · GFRC · electronic ignition with auto shut-off · CSA approved · 10 ft hose, lava rock and cover included.
Sixty-one pounds is the number that matters. Most 26" concrete bowls run 140 to 160 lbs, a point load a deck framer has to think about; the York spreads a third of that over the same footprint. Read our guidance on gas fire pits on wood decks before siting it.
Not for you if you are in a wind-exposed spot. A gust can shift the empty bowl, and a 40,000 BTU ring without a wind guard will blow out.
Best commercial-grade splurge: Slick Rock Concrete Oasis Rectangular Fire Table
From $4,498. 48 x 31 x 20.25 in · 440 lbs · GFRC with micro-glass fiber reinforcement, 10,990 psi at 28 days per Slick Rock's own CSI guide specification · mahogany top · stainless burner ring, 1/2" inlet · match lit at 200,000–300,000 BTU/hr or AWEIS 24V electronic · 12 finishes · tank goes inside, under the wood lid.
At 10,990 psi the concrete is roughly three times the compressive strength of a standard patio pour, which runs 2,500 to 4,000 psi, and that is why this body survives freeze-thaw cycles that crack cheaper castings. Slick Rock's marketing cites 15,000 psi, but the company's own CSI guide specification publishes 10,990 psi at 28 days with a modulus of rupture of 784; we use the spec figure. The AWEIS ignition is a silicon-nitride hot-surface pilot rated to relight itself after a blow-out.
Not for you if you plan long evenings on propane. At the match-lit system's rated output a 20 lb tank is a short night, and fire media is never included.
See the Slick Rock Concrete Oasis Rectangular Fire Table
Where does the 20 lb propane tank actually go?
This is the question that decides the purchase, and almost no buying guide answers it. A propane fire pit does not run on a gas line. It runs on a 20 lb bottle roughly 18" tall and 12" across, and that bottle has to live within a 10 ft hose length of the burner. There are three answers, and the one you pick changes your budget and how the patio looks.
| Solution | How it works | Added cost | Trade-off | Our picks using it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) Built-in compartment | Hollow base, factory access door sized for a 20 lb tank | $0 | Fixes the unit's height and footprint | Mansfield, Rova, Porto 58, Pismo, Oasis |
| (b) Matching enclosure | Separate cast piece in the same finish, doubles as an end table | $260–$1,596 | A second object to place, within hose reach | Granville, Manhattan, Hampton, Venice, Nantucket, York, Lava Tube |
| (c) Tank in the open | The bottle sits on the patio beside the unit | $0 | Visible, tips over, weathers — the regret we hear most | Any model, by default |
Option (b) is not a small line item. Our propane tank enclosure collection runs from the Modeno square tank cover at $269 and the Prism Hardscapes Tav enclosure at $416 through the Slick Rock Concrete cover at $682.50 to The Outdoor Plus concrete pedestal at $1,596, which also serves as a fire bowl stand. A $1,299 table plus a $339 cover is a $1,638 table. Compare on that basis, not sticker price.
How long does a 20 lb propane tank last, and what does a night cost?
A full 20 lb tank holds about 4.7 gallons and roughly 430,000 BTU. Divide that by the burner's rated output and you get runtime. At 65,000 BTU/hr — the figure the Porto 58 and Pismo both carry — that is 6.6 hours, about two evenings. At $2.63 per gallon a full tank costs roughly $12.36, or $1.87 per hour.
| Burner output | Hours per 20 lb tank | Cost per hour | Cost per 3-hour evening | Evenings per tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40,000 BTU/hr | 10.8 | $1.14 | $3.43 | 3.6 |
| 45,000 BTU/hr | 9.6 | $1.29 | $3.87 | 3.2 |
| 50,000 BTU/hr | 8.6 | $1.44 | $4.32 | 2.9 |
| 65,000 BTU/hr | 6.6 | $1.87 | $5.61 | 2.2 |
| 83,000 BTU/hr | 5.2 | $2.38 | $7.14 | 1.7 |
| 110,000 BTU/hr | 3.9 | $3.17 | $9.51 | 1.3 |
Outdoor Heat Direct calculation, not a manufacturer figure. Based on 20 lb x 21,548 BTU/lb = 430,000 BTU per tank and 4.7 usable gallons at $2.63/gal (U.S. residential average, EIA, January–March 2026), at full rated output. Wind, ambient temperature and fill level all move it.
The practical reading: a 40,000 BTU unit gives you three or four evenings per bottle, a 65,000 BTU unit gives you two. Burn twice a week over a six-month season at 65,000 BTU/hr and that is roughly 14 refills a year. Keep a second tank. Our guide to how many BTUs a fire pit needs covers whether you need that output, and what a gas fire pit really costs accounts for the media, cover and wind guard most buyers forget.
Not sure which of these fits your patio?
Send us your patio dimensions, seating layout and where the tank could live. We will tell you which two or three of the 500+ propane models actually work.
Talk to the fire feature teamSee financing optionsShould you buy propane, or run a natural gas line instead?
Propane wins on installation and loses on fuel. No trenching, no gas-line permit, no plumber running pipe from the meter — you connect a regulator to a bottle. That is why propane outsells natural gas in every renter, condo and detached-patio situation we see.
Natural gas wins the moment the line exists. At $15.34 per Mcf it costs about $0.96 per hour at 65,000 BTU/hr against propane's $1.87, and it never runs out mid-evening. Break-even depends on what the trench costs on your lot, the argument laid out in our comparison of natural gas versus propane fire pits. If neither fuel appeals, our take on gas versus wood burning fire pits covers the third option.
One thing is not a decision you make later: the burner, orifice and air mixer are built for the gas you specify at order. Propane runs at 11 inches water column, natural gas at 7, so converting means new parts, not a new fitting. The related choice between match lit and electronic ignition matters more on propane, because electronic systems need power at the pit.
What size propane fire pit fits your patio and your seating?
Work backwards from the furniture, not the patio. A 36" square like the Manhattan seats four. A 56" to 60" rectangle like the Hampton or Granville seats six. Below 30" you are buying ambiance, not a gathering point.
Height is the spec people get wrong. Fourteen to 17 inches is coffee-table height and belongs in front of lounge seating. Twenty-two to 26 inches reads as a standing feature. Forty-two inches is bar height and only works with stools. Our guide to what size fire table you need covers seating counts and ledge width, and the outdoor fire pit buying guide covers the rest. To browse by shape, we sort the catalog into round and rectangular within the full fire pit collection, and the 110 units with a usable tabletop sit in their own list.
Clearance is not optional, and there is no single industry figure. Manuals in our clearance reference table range from 36" to 48" at the sides and 60" to 120" overhead; Prism Hardscapes specifies 4 ft at the sides and 6 ft above. Follow the manual for the unit you buy.
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How long does a 20 lb propane tank last in a fire pit?
About 6.6 hours at 65,000 BTU/hr, or 10.8 hours at 40,000 BTU/hr. A full 20 lb tank holds roughly 430,000 BTU across 4.7 gallons, so runtime is that figure divided by the burner's rated output. That is our own calculation, not a manufacturer figure.
Which propane fire pits hide the tank inside?
Five of our twelve picks: the Modeno Mansfield Fire Column at $1,049, the Elementi Rova Bar Table at $1,479, The Outdoor Plus Pismo Metal Fire Pit at $2,597, the Prism Hardscapes Porto 58 at $4,438 and the Slick Rock Concrete Oasis Rectangular at $4,498. Each has a factory access door or lid sized for a standard 20 lb bottle.
What does a propane tank enclosure cost?
Between $260 and $1,596 at Outdoor Heat Direct. The Modeno square tank cover is $269, Prism Hardscapes enclosures start at $260, the Slick Rock Concrete cast cover is $682.50, and The Outdoor Plus concrete pedestal is $1,596. All eight sit in our tank enclosure collection.
Can you convert a propane fire pit to natural gas later?
Not by swapping a fitting. The burner orifice and air mixer are sized for the fuel you specify at order, because propane runs at 11 inches water column and natural gas at 7. Converting means replacing those parts, and not every model has a kit. Choose the fuel before you buy.
What is the cheapest propane fire pit worth owning?
The Modeno Lava Tube Fire Pit at $629 is the least expensive gas fire feature in our catalog and still carries a 304 stainless burner ring and electronic ignition with auto shut-off. At 17.7 inches across it suits a balcony. For a wider bowl, the Modeno Nantucket Fire Bowl is $650.
How many BTUs does a propane fire pit need?
Forty thousand BTU/hr is adequate for two to four people sitting close. Forty-five to 50,000 suits four to six seats. Sixty-five thousand and above is for large tables or cold climates, and on propane it cuts runtime to roughly two evenings per tank. Heat and burn time trade against each other.
Can you put a propane fire pit on a wood or composite deck?
Usually yes, with conditions: check the required clearance to combustibles, confirm the deck carries the point load, and keep the tank out of direct sun. Weight matters — the Modeno York Fire Bowl is 61 lbs where comparable bowls run 140 to 160 lbs. Confirm against the unit's manual.
Is propane more expensive to run than natural gas?
Roughly double. At 65,000 BTU/hr propane costs about $1.87 per hour at $2.63 per gallon, against about $0.96 for natural gas at $15.34 per Mcf. Propane's advantage is installation: no trench, no permit, no plumber. Whether that offsets the fuel cost depends on your lot.
Do propane fire pits need electricity?
Only with electronic ignition. Battery push-button spark ignition, which most Elementi and Modeno units use, needs no outlet. The Outdoor Plus 110V system and the Slick Rock AWEIS 24V system both need power at the pit. Match lit and key valve models, such as the Porto 58, need nothing.
How far can the propane tank sit from the fire pit?
Hose length sets the limit, and most units ship with 10 feet — the Elementi Rova and Modeno York both include one. That is the practical radius for a separate enclosure. Do not extend it with unrated fittings. If the tank cannot sit that close, buy a model with built-in storage.
Sources. Dimensions, BTU ratings, burner materials, weights, certifications and warranty terms are as published by Elementi, Modeno, Prism Hardscapes, The Outdoor Plus and Slick Rock Concrete. Prices are Outdoor Heat Direct starting prices as of September 2026.
Our own calculation: the runtime and cost figures in the burn-time table, from 20 lb x 21,548 BTU/lb = 430,000 BTU per tank and 4.7 usable gallons at $2.63/gal (EIA, January–March 2026). Natural gas uses $15.34/Mcf (EIA, 2025 annual average). Estimates at full rated output, not manufacturer claims.
Not verified: Modeno publishes conflicting BTU figures for the Branford Fire Table (50,000 vs 55,000); we excluded it for that reason. Slick Rock Concrete's marketing claims 15,000 psi concrete while its own published CSI guide specification lists 10,990 psi compressive strength at 28 days (MR 784); we cite the guide specification. There is no single industry clearance standard.
Disclosure: Outdoor Heat Direct sells every product listed here. Gas connections and installation must be carried out by a licensed professional under the National Fuel Gas Code (ANSI Z223.1 / NFPA 54).