Deciding which type of fire pit best suits your needs is not easy. With so many fuel types, styles, and features, there is a lot to consider. Here, we will help make this process a little easier by laying out the pros and cons of both wood burning and propane fire pits.
Heat Output
Wood Burning Fire Pits - Heat output will vary greatly with wood burning fire pits. Generally, a wood burning fire pit will output 30,000-100,000 BTUs. Things like fire size, wood type, and temperature will significantly affect its heat output. You can learn more about what firewood to choose in our Fire Wood Guide.
Gas Burning Fire Pits - One of the advantages of gas fire pits is that their heat output is usually listed right in the product information. This makes it easy to compare models and choose the level of warmth you prefer. BTU ratings vary widely, giving you plenty of options to match your space and comfort needs. Explore our selection of gas fire pits, or shop by BTU rating to help find the perfect fire pit for your space.
While both wood burning and gas fire pits provide warmth, it's worth considering their total BTU output. Check out our article explaining BTUs.
Appearance & Experience
Wood Burning Fire Pits - Nothing is quite like the smell, sound, and atmosphere created by a wood burning fire pit, but this comes with frequent refueling, stoking, and maintaining the flame.
Gas Burning Fire Pits - Often, gas fire pits provide a cleaner, modern aesthetic. You won’t have to worry about smoke, ash, or the trouble of getting the fire started. Gas fire pits are low maintenance, and generally easier to light compared to a wood fire pit.
Safety & Location
An important thing to consider is safety when using any fire pit. With wood burning fire pits, dry leaves, wind gusts, and flying embers can cause real safety concerns while gas fire pits generally eliminate these concerns. Another thing to consider is location — gas fire pits are better suited for areas such as covered patios and porches.
Final Thoughts
Both gas and wood fire pits have their own strengths. If you love the authentic campfire experience and don’t mind a little extra work, wood might be your choice. If convenience, cleanliness, and quick start-up matter most, a gas fire pit could be the better option.
