Outdoor Fire Pits

Your fire pit should be placed at least 10 to 25 feet away from any flammable structure or surface, including your house, trees, outdoor shed, or vehicle. It should sit on level ground in an open area free of overhanging trees or rooflines. Fire-safe flooring materials around the pit—such as decomposed granite, crushed gravel, concrete, or flagstone—can further reduce the risk of stray sparks causing damage.

Propane fire pits attach to a standard 20-pound tank that sits on or near your patio, making them portable and easy to set up without professional installation. Natural gas fire pits connect directly to your home's gas line, which requires professional plumbing but eliminates the need to refill tanks and generally costs less to operate. Both fuel types deliver great flame performance, but natural gas is often preferred for permanent installations due to its convenience and cleaner burn.

Cooking over a gas fire pit is generally not recommended, because grease and drippings from food can clog the burner holes and leave a sooty residue on your fire media such as lava rock or fire glass. However, roasting marshmallows is possible with caution—just be careful not to drop them into the burner area, as melted marshmallow can damage the components and require thorough cleaning. If you want to cook regularly over a fire pit, a wood-burning fire pit with a grill grate is a much better option.

Steel fire pits will eventually rust when exposed to the elements, but you can significantly slow this process by covering your fire pit with a weatherproof cover whenever it is not in use. You can also purchase stainless steel or copper fire pits, which are more resistant to rust and corrosion. For a fire pit that is already showing rust, applying a high-temperature paint formulated for stoves and fire features can restore its appearance and add a protective layer.

Ideally, you should plan for about 7 feet of open space around the seating area of your fire pit to allow comfortable room for furniture and foot traffic. You should also leave extra space behind the chairs so guests can easily back away from the heat if needed. Keep in mind that a full fire pit seating area can use as much as 150 to 200 square feet of patio space, so measure your area carefully before purchasing.