Gas Fire Pit Table Buying Guide: BTUs, Propane vs Natural Gas, Sizes & Ignition

A gas fire pit table is the fastest way to turn a patio you abandon in October into one you use through the fall. You get real heat, a flame at the push of a button, no smoke, no ash, and a table surface for drinks and plates when the fire is off. The catch is that fire tables vary widely in heat output, fuel type, height and ignition, and the wrong combination leaves you with a beautiful centerpiece that barely warms your hands. This guide covers how to size BTUs, choose between propane and natural gas, pick the right height, and compare the gas fire tables we carry at Urban Supply.

Why Gas Fire Pit Tables Are the Fall Backyard Upgrade

Outdoor living has shifted from "a grill and some chairs" to full outdoor rooms, and fire is the anchor of that space. Homeowners increasingly prefer gas fire tables over wood-burning pits because they light instantly, shut off completely, and don't send smoke into the neighbor's yard or your clothes. A fire table also earns its footprint year-round: in summer, cover the burner and it works as a coffee or dining table.

The other reason is control. With a gas fire pit table you adjust flame height with a valve, the fire is out the moment you turn it off, and there is no glowing ember bed to babysit at the end of the night.

Fire Pit Table Heights: Coffee, Chat or Dining

Height is the first decision because it determines what seating you need and how the heat reaches people.

Low / coffee height (roughly 15–20 inches): pairs with deep lounge seating and sectionals. Heat radiates at knee and hand level. The Grand Canyon Olympus 60" x 18"H and the 20-inch-tall Outdoor Plus Mabel Fire Table sit in this range.

Chat height (roughly 20–26 inches): the most popular style. It works with standard patio lounge chairs and puts the flame closer to seated eye level. The Outdoor Greatroom Beacon 48" Round is built at chat height, and the Grand Canyon Olympus is also offered in a 24-inch-tall version.

Dining height (roughly 30 inches): a fire table you can eat at. The Outdoor Greatroom Kenwood Linear Dining Fire Pit Table puts a 65,000/80,000 BTU linear burner into a table you can actually eat at, which makes it a strong pick if your patio only has room for one table. The same Kenwood design also comes as a chat-height rectangular fire pit table.

How Many BTUs Does a Gas Fire Pit Table Need?

BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating tells you how much heat the burner produces per hour. More BTUs mean a taller flame and more warmth, but also faster fuel use. For a deeper explanation, see our guide to understanding BTUs.

Around 40,000 BTU: pleasant ambiance and some warmth for people sitting close. The Splendor 43.5" Rectangle Fire Pit Table uses a 40,000 BTU propane burner with an external tank.

55,000 BTU: our baseline recommendation for a round or square table seating 4–6 people. The Outdoor Greatroom Stonefire, Brooks and Beacon tables are all rated at 55,000 BTU.

65,000–80,000 BTU: the right range for linear tables and larger groups, where seating stretches along a long burner. The Outdoor Greatroom Montego Linear and Kenwood Linear Dining tables are rated 65,000/80,000 BTU (LP/NG), and the Outdoor Plus Mabel and Grand Canyon Olympus tables are rated at 65,000 BTU.

Propane vs Natural Gas Fire Pit Table

Propane (LP) is the plug-and-play choice. Most tables hide a standard 20 lb tank inside the base behind an access door, so you can place the table anywhere on the patio and move it later. A 20 lb tank holds about 4.7 gallons of propane, and at roughly 91,500 BTU per gallon that is about 430,000 BTU of fuel. Do the math and a 55,000 BTU table runs roughly 7–8 hours on high; a 65,000 BTU burner runs closer to 6–7 hours. Turn the flame down and you stretch that further.

Natural gas (NG) means you never refill a tank, and fuel cost is typically lower over time. The trade-off is a permanent location and a gas line run by a licensed professional. If you already have a gas line for a grill or outdoor kitchen, natural gas is usually the better long-term choice. Our breakdown of liquid propane vs natural gas goes deeper on cost and installation.

Check convertibility before you buy. Many Outdoor Greatroom manual-ignition tables ship for propane and include a natural gas conversion kit, while their Direct Spark versions must be ordered for LP or NG and are not field-convertible. The Grand Canyon Olympus 18-inch tables are hard-piped for natural gas or propane, while the 24-inch versions are propane only with a tank access door. TessaRai fire tables and the Outdoor Plus Mabel are ordered in your choice of LP or NG.

Gas Fire Pit Table Ignition Options

Match lit: the simplest and most affordable. You light the burner with a long lighter while slowly opening the valve. No electronics to fail, but it requires a steady hand.

Push-button or battery spark: press a button to spark the burner. Outdoor Greatroom tables include a battery-operated sparker as standard.

Electronic ignition: the most convenient and the safest for families, typically with a flame sensor that shuts off gas if the flame goes out. Outdoor Greatroom offers an electronic Direct Spark Ignition upgrade. The Outdoor Plus Mabel is available with five ignition options: Match Light, Match Light with Flame Sense, Flame Sense with Spark Ignition, 12V Electronic, or 110V Electronic. TessaRai's Auto Ignition fire columns and patio fire pits connect to a low-voltage transformer and use a WiFi-enabled control panel for app-based ignition.

Materials and Finishes

Fire tables live outside year-round, so the material matters as much as the look.

GFRC and cast concrete: heavy, stable in wind, and naturally weather-resistant. TessaRai fire tables are cast in GFRC concrete in 8 finish colors, and the Outdoor Greatroom Beacon uses a Supercast concrete top.

Corten, stainless and powder-coated steel: The Outdoor Plus builds the Mabel, Alameda and Mesa fire tables in corten steel (which develops a protective rust patina), stainless steel, powder-coated metal and, on the Mesa, hammered copper. The Mabel uses a 304 stainless steel fire pan and burner.

Media: lava rock gives a natural, rustic look; tempered fire glass reflects the flame and reads more modern. Many tables include one and let you upgrade to the other.

Gas Fire Pit Table Safety: Certification, Clearances and Covered Patios

Look for certification. Outdoor gas fire tables are tested to the ANSI Z21.97/CSA 2.41 standard for outdoor decorative gas appliances, which covers burner construction, ignition, gas pressure limits, wind and rain performance, and clearances. Many of the tables we carry list CSA or UL certification, and TessaRai includes a CSA-certified pan kit.

Follow the manufacturer's clearances. Every table specifies minimum distances to walls, overhead structures and combustible surfaces. Treat those numbers as the rule, not a suggestion.

Outdoors only. Never operate a gas fire table in an enclosed space. Use under a covered patio or pergola only if the manufacturer explicitly allows it and you meet the overhead clearance.

Add a wind guard and a cover. A tempered glass wind guard keeps the flame steady on breezy nights; Outdoor Greatroom offers standard and folding glass wind guards on many tables. A fitted cover protects the burner and ignition from rain and debris. Browse our fire pit covers.

Fire Table Care and Off-Season Storage

A fire table needs far less maintenance than a wood-burning pit, but a few habits keep it lighting reliably for years.

Keep it covered when not in use. Rain and leaves in the burner pan are the most common cause of weak or uneven flames. Let the table cool completely before you put the cover on.

Check the burner ports each spring. Spiders and insects like to nest in burner ports and gas lines over the winter. A quick brush-out before the first fire of the season prevents lazy, sputtering flames.

Leak-test after every tank swap. Brush soapy water on the regulator and hose connections and open the tank valve. Bubbles mean a leak: shut the gas off and tighten or replace the fitting before lighting.

Store propane tanks outdoors. When you put the table away for winter, disconnect the tank and store it upright outside in a ventilated spot, never in a garage, basement or shed attached to the house.

Plan for corten runoff. Corten steel weathers to a rust patina that protects the metal, but the runoff can stain light pavers or concrete during the first few months outdoors. Place it on a surface you don't mind weathering, or use a mat while the patina sets.

Gas Fire Pit Table Comparison

BTU ratings shown as LP/NG where the manufacturer lists them separately. Always confirm the spec sheet for the exact configuration you order.

Our Recommendation

Best value for a first fire table: the Outdoor Greatroom Stonefire. A 55,000 BTU burner, a hidden 20 lb tank and an included natural gas conversion kit at an entry price.

Best for long sectionals and bigger groups: a linear table like the Montego, with up to 80,000 BTU on natural gas spread along the length of the seating.

Best for small patios that need to do double duty: the Kenwood Linear Dining table, which works as both a dining table and a fire feature.

Best for modern design and permanent installs: TessaRai GFRC concrete tables or The Outdoor Plus Mabel, both ordered for your gas type with electronic ignition options.

Best for natural gas homes that want made-in-USA construction: the Grand Canyon Olympus 18-inch tables, hard-piped and rated at 65,000 BTU.

Shop Gas Fire Pit Tables at Urban Supply

Compare every model in our fire pits collection, including gas fire pit tables from The Outdoor Greatroom Company, Grand Canyon, TessaRai and The Outdoor Plus. Want a fire table with a matching concrete look? Browse the TessaRai fire tables and fire columns, or pair your table with fire bowls around a pool or walkway. For a full fireplace instead of a table, see our outdoor fireplaces. Urban Supply offers free shipping on orders over $299, certain exclusions apply. Need help matching BTUs, fuel type or ignition to your patio? Email support@urbansupplyinc.com and our team will help you choose.

Planning the rest of the space? Our outdoor fireplace buying guide compares fireplaces, fire pits and fire tables side by side, and our concrete fire bowl buying guide covers sizing and ignition for bowls.

Related reading: Outdoor Fireplace Buying Guide · Concrete Fire Bowl Buying Guide · Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Appliances Buying Guide · Pool Water Features Guide