Sitting around a campfire is a great way to spend an evening with friends and family, but unfortunately, the smell of the smoke will linger long after it put out. If you love the idea of a fire pit but are not keen on dealing with the smoke, ashes, and pit aftercare to ensure everything is out, you may want to consider a propane pit.
There are many styles and designs for you to choose from out there, and this article highlights some of the best propane fire pit reviews for your consideration. Most of them work as advertised, so our judgment comes down to the quality of materials, design aesthetic, and some personal opinions about height and flame considerations.
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Backyard Boss Top 5 Propane Fire Pits for 2021
IMAGE | BRAND | FEATURES | |
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![]() | Bond Propane Firebowl |
| Check The Price |
![]() | COSIEST Propane Fire Pit Table |
| Check The Price |
![]() | Outland Firebowl |
| Check The Price |
![]() | Giantex Fire Pit |
| Check The Price |
![]() | 14-in Oil Tabletop Firebowl |
| Check The Price |
Why You Can Trust Us
For us Backyard Bosses, our home and yard are the most important places in the world. We carefully spend our money to buy products that are functional, durable, and beautiful. We want our fire pits to do the job– put out a ton of heat– but also blend into the environment when they’re not in use. Most propane fire pits are portable in some way– but we want to actually use them– so we lean towards ones that look good enough to have a permanent place on the patio.
Best Overall: The Perfect Size & Height
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An excellent option for smaller spaces. Good heat output and great design. You can easily control flame height for comfort.
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This natural stone column style pit works well in narrow areas and smaller spaces to help heat and create a comfortable place to sit beside. We love it because it looks pretty good and because the fire sits at the right height when sitting or standing near it. It puts out 40,000 BTU, and the included lava-rock looks natural. Easy to reach controls allows you to manage flame height and heat, plus the rounded bowl comes complete with lava rocks to add to the decorative look. A protective cover is included to help your pit last.
Coffee-Table Height
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A spacious tabletop leaves plenty of room for drinks and plates, and serves as a great piece of furniture for your outdoor social gatherings.
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This one is more expensive than most, but the sandstone model is just too pretty to pass up. If you like it, we recommend you check out all the other sizes from the same brand (COSIEST). They offer a great selection of fire pit table sizes and styles to fit your outdoor spaces perfectly. This large, rectangular option is fed by an external tank (they sell a matched tank cover) that feeds an elongated pit enclosed on the sides by tempered glass. This detail also helps protect your flame from wind. An easy to access external knob makes it simple to adjust flame and heat.
Best High-Heat & Portable (Great for Campers!)
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Campfire lovers rejoice as this style is perfect for chilly evenings and summer breezes! Plus you can take it anywhere you want!
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Looking for a more traditional fire pit to gather around? This is an excellent option and includes a long, 10 foot hose to attach to your propane tank well out of the way of your gathering. With a low profile, plenty of heat, and a smokeless flame, this is a pit you will want to fire up over and over. Made from durable steel, it has an outer knob to control the flame and heat, decorative lava rock, and a protective cover. Lightweight and portable, it is a great option to take with you as well.
For that Stone-Pit Look
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This pit is a great way to have an alternative stone fire pit located wherever you can fit it. Safe and durable, it comes with a protective cover.
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Traditional stone pits are another great style to gather around for social events and relaxing evenings. If you are not keen on putting in a more permanent pit, this propane option is a perfect solution. A stainless steel inner pit is surrounded by a simulated stone to create a rustic, outdoor look. A 10 foot hose connects to a nearby tank, and controls for flame height and heat are located on the base. We hate when the tank doesn’t fit in the base– but if you want a low pit, it’s almost impossible. It’s another reason we prefer the Newcastle model above.
Best Mini Tabletop Model for Ambience and Lighting
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A super clever way to add heat and ambience to any small outdoor dining table..
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This one is really clever. You can turn any table into a fire pit table with this bronze tabletop firebowl. Compact and lightweight, this 14 inch pit is small enough to fit on any table and connects to a standard table umbrella hole through which you connect your propane tank. If you are looking for a budget solution for a table option, this is an excellent choice to consider.
Why Choose a Propane Fire Pit?
Propane fire pits are incredibly simple to use and allows you to set up a fire in mere seconds, rather than prepping wood and waiting for kindling to take. Many fire pits are portable as well, and can be taken camping or moved from one area to another with very little effort.
They put out a lot of radiant heat that can be adjusted based on flame height, which also stays consistent- meaning no more having to move due to it being too warm, or put more logs on to heat it up. It also has no smell, nor is there any smoke! So you can stay put without having to move every time a breeze kicks up smoke and ash!
They also can be cooked over with vegetables or meat just as if you were cooking over a propane grill.
Types of Propane Fire Pits
There is an excellent selection of propane fire pits to choose from since they burn clean and can be made from a variety of different materials. This allows them to be a bit more lightweight and easy to store or pack as well. You also could easily build your own DIY propane pit, especially if you are considering creating a more permanent pit area.
Concrete or Stone Options
Classic in design and a favorite for those who want a more rustic look, prefer DIY projects, or simply want a built-in, hassle free experience a concrete or stone pit is one of the best gas fire pit designs you can take advantage of. Plus many works well with wood also.
Fire Bowls
This style is probably the most popular option for consumers as they come in a wide array of materials and are a classical rounded area that makes it easy to sit around. They also are often very budget-friendly.
Fire Columns
Similar to a bowl, but on a raised surface and of varying shapes and materials, these are an excellent option for small spaces and work well in areas that existing seating is already present.
Fire Tables
These designs are very unique and are great for social gatherings. They consist of a table top with a centered flame. They don’t often put off a lot of heat, but provide really cool aesthetics and ambiance, as well as serve as a place to use for keeping certain food warm- such as fondue!
What to Consider Before Buying a Propane Fire Pit
If a propane fire pit seems like the perfect solution for you, you may want to consider a few of the following questions to help you narrow down your best choices.
What do you plan on using a fire pit for?
Do you want a fire pit for aesthetic purposes, or are you interested in a more functional design for heat application to your outdoor living space? Be sure to choose the style and size that helps meet your needs.
Where do you want to place your pit?
If you are limited on room, you may want to think about a fire pit table, or a column that works in smaller spaces. But if you have the room to expand, consider those styles that allow people to gather around, or even a more permanent option.
Are you concerned about portability?
The great thing about this style is some of the best propane fire pits are highly portable as well as effective! Choose a product that can be easily packed for camping, or taken with you to other destinations.
More Than Just a Heat Source
Smokeless and odorless propane fire pits are a great way to provide outdoor ambiance to your space without the mess. These campfire-inspired designs provide everything from rustic to a more contemporary decorative touch. Whether you need something for your deck or patio or want a way to bring an easy-to-set-up fire on your camping trips, these styles have it all.
The Bond Propane Firebowl is our top choice because it’ll fit well into smaller spaces, while still looking sophisticated and providing the perfect amount of heat, whether you’re sitting or standing.
We’d love to hear which is your favorite and how you plan on using it below. And, as always, please share!