Fire is what keeps people outside after dinner. It is the reason Saturday nights stretch past midnight and guests who said they were leaving an hour ago are still sitting in your backyard, talking. Of all the investments a homeowner can make in an outdoor space, a fire feature may be the one that most directly creates the gathering place.
The challenge is choosing the right type. Fire pits, fire tables, smokeless fire pits, and outdoor fireplaces each serve a different function and create a different atmosphere. This guide covers everything you need to make the right choice for your backyard, your entertaining style, and your budget.
How to Think About a Fire Feature Before You Shop
Before comparing products, answer three questions that will guide every decision that follows.
How do you want people to sit? A fire pit draws people into a circle around it. An outdoor fireplace draws people into a row facing it. A fire table sits in the center of a lounge arrangement. The social geometry of each type is different, and it should match the way your backyard is set up and the way you gather.
How much heat do you actually want? On cool evenings, meaningful heat output matters. On mild evenings, the warmth of a small decorative flame is enough. A wood-burning fire pit produces significant heat. A gas fire table produces primarily ambiance. Know which you need before you shop.
Do you want wood, gas, or smokeless? Wood produces a real fire with real crackling, real smoke, and the full sensory experience of outdoor fire. Gas lights with a valve and extinguishes the same way, with no ash cleanup. Smokeless technology gives you real wood fire with dramatically less smoke. Each has a different place in a different backyard.
Fire Pits
A fire pit is the most social fire feature available. The open flame at ground or seating level, visible from all sides, naturally draws people into a circle. It is the format most closely connected to the primal experience of gathering around a fire, and it is the one that most reliably keeps guests outside and engaged long after dinner is finished.
Wood-Burning Fire Pits
A wood-burning fire pit produces a real crackling wood fire. The sound, the smell, the unpredictable movement of the flame, and the warmth it radiates are things that gas cannot replicate. For homeowners who want the full campfire experience in their backyard, a wood-burning fire pit is the right choice.
Wood fire pits require dry, seasoned hardwood to perform well. Wet or green wood produces excessive smoke and a disappointing fire. Oak, hickory, ash, and fruitwoods like apple and cherry are excellent choices. They burn hot, long, and clean when properly seasoned.
Wood fire pits produce ash that requires periodic cleanup. A removable ash pan makes this straightforward. They also produce smoke, which follows wind direction and can be an issue in tight spaces or near covered structures. Placement with prevailing wind direction in mind reduces this significantly.
Gas Fire Pits
A gas fire pit runs on natural gas or propane and lights with the turn of a valve. There is no wood to source, store, or carry. There is no ash to clean up. The flame height can be adjusted with a simple control and the fire extinguishes completely when the valve is closed. For homeowners who want the gathering-place atmosphere of a fire pit without the management of a wood fire, gas is the practical choice.
Gas fire pits are available with lava rock, fire glass, or ceramic log media in the burner pan. Fire glass produces a particularly dramatic visual effect, with the flame dancing through colored or clear glass chips. The aesthetic of a gas fire pit is clean and contemporary rather than rustic.
Natural gas fire pits require a dedicated gas line connection, which is a one-time installation cost. Propane fire pits connect to a standard tank and can be positioned anywhere in the yard without installation.
Smokeless Fire Pits
A smokeless fire pit uses a double-wall design with engineered airflow to create secondary combustion. Air enters through vents at the base, heats between the inner and outer walls, and exits through small holes near the top rim. This superheated secondary air ignites the smoke particles before they can escape, producing a fire that burns significantly cleaner than a traditional open pit.
The result is a brighter, hotter, more efficient fire with dramatically less smoke. You still get real wood, real flames, and real crackling. The fire is simply cleaner. This makes smokeless fire pits the best choice for covered outdoor spaces, for backyards in neighborhoods with burn restrictions, and for anyone who has avoided a wood fire pit because of smoke irritation.
Smokeless fire pits perform best with dry, seasoned hardwood. Wet wood produces more unburned gases than the secondary combustion system can fully eliminate. Fuel quality is the most important factor in smokeless performance.
Fire Pit Size Guide
| Seating Circle Diameter | Recommended Fire Pit Diameter |
|---|---|
| 8 to 10 feet | 24 to 30 inches |
| 10 to 14 feet | 30 to 36 inches |
| 14 feet and above | 36 to 48 inches |
Fire Tables
A fire table integrates a gas burner into a table surface, creating a functional outdoor table with a flame element at its center. The fire is typically set into a rectangular or square burner pan filled with fire glass, lava rock, or decorative stone and produces a low, clean, contemporary flame.
Fire tables are gas-powered only. They are not designed to produce the heat output of a fire pit. Their primary purpose is ambiance and social atmosphere, the visual warmth of flame at the center of a lounge arrangement rather than significant heat production. On a cool evening, a fire table adds atmosphere. On a cold evening, you want a fire pit.
Coffee Table Height Fire Tables
Coffee table height fire tables sit at 14 to 18 inches above the ground and are designed to pair with low lounge seating, sectionals, and deep-seated outdoor chairs. This is the most popular configuration for residential outdoor spaces and integrates naturally into a living room-style patio arrangement. The flame is positioned at a height where seated guests have a clear view of it from all sides.
Counter Height Fire Tables
Counter height fire tables sit at 36 to 42 inches above the ground and pair with bar stools or work as a stand-up gathering surface. They are less common than coffee table height models but work well in outdoor kitchen contexts and in spaces designed around a more upright, social standing configuration.
Dining Height Fire Tables
A small category of fire tables designed to function as outdoor dining tables with a fire feature in the center. The burner is typically positioned in a recessed channel that can be covered with a panel when the table is used for dining. This configuration suits homeowners who want a multi-use piece that serves as a dining table and a fire feature in the same footprint.
Outdoor Fireplaces
An outdoor fireplace is a vertical structure with an open firebox, a mantle, and a chimney. It radiates heat in one direction, toward the seating area positioned in front of it, and creates a more formal, architectural atmosphere than a fire pit or fire table. It is the fire feature that most closely recreates the experience of an indoor living room in an outdoor space.
Wood-Burning Outdoor Fireplaces
A wood-burning outdoor fireplace produces real fire with full flame, crackling, and the warmth of a wood fire directed toward the seating area in front of it. It is the most visually dramatic option and the one that most strongly suggests a permanent, intentional outdoor room. The chimney must be positioned and dimensioned to draw smoke upward effectively, which requires adequate height above the firebox opening and appropriate flue sizing.
Wood-burning outdoor fireplaces require the same fuel considerations as wood fire pits. Dry, seasoned hardwood produces the best results. The firebox should be sized to the seating area in front of it. A firebox opening that is too small for the scale of the space will feel underwhelming. A firebox that is too large will produce more heat than the space can comfortably absorb.
Gas Outdoor Fireplaces
A gas outdoor fireplace operates on natural gas or propane with a standing pilot or electronic ignition. It provides the visual and architectural presence of a traditional fireplace with the convenience of gas. The flame is adjustable, there is no ash cleanup, and the fireplace can be used in enclosed or semi-enclosed outdoor spaces where an open wood fire would create smoke accumulation problems.
Gas outdoor fireplaces are available with ceramic log sets that convincingly replicate the appearance of a wood fire, or with fire glass and contemporary burner pan configurations for a more modern aesthetic. Both produce similar heat output and flame characteristics.
Placement and Safety
An outdoor fireplace should be positioned with a clear view from the primary seating area and with adequate clearance from overhead structures, combustible surfaces, and landscaping. The chimney must extend a minimum of two feet above any overhead structure within ten feet horizontally. Check local building codes for permit requirements before construction, as outdoor fireplaces are considered permanent structures in most jurisdictions and require a permit in the majority of municipalities.
Comparing All Four Fire Feature Types
| Feature | Wood Fire Pit | Smokeless Fire Pit | Gas Fire Table | Outdoor Fireplace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Output | High | Very High | Low to Medium | Medium to High |
| Seating Configuration | 360 degrees | 360 degrees | 360 degrees | Directional |
| Smoke Production | Medium to High | Very Low | None | Medium (wood) / None (gas) |
| Fuel Options | Wood | Wood | Gas | Wood or Gas |
| Maintenance | Ash cleanup | Ash cleanup | Minimal | Ash cleanup (wood) |
| Atmosphere | Casual, rustic | Casual, rustic | Modern, refined | Formal, architectural |
| Best Setting | Open backyard | Covered or restricted areas | Lounge seating | Formal patio or outdoor room |
Fire Feature Placement: What You Need to Know
Wherever you place a fire feature, maintain a minimum of ten feet of horizontal clearance from any combustible structure. This includes wood fencing, pergola posts, overhanging tree branches, outdoor furniture made from combustible materials, and the exterior walls of the house.
For overhead clearance, maintain a minimum of eight feet between any open flame and any combustible overhead surface. Non-combustible overhead structures such as masonry or steel can be positioned closer, subject to manufacturer specifications for your specific product.
Check local ordinances before purchasing. Many municipalities have regulations governing open fires in residential areas, including required setbacks from property lines and restrictions on wood-burning fires during certain weather conditions or seasons. Gas fire features are typically less restricted than wood-burning ones.
Finding the Right Fire Feature for Your Backyard
The right fire feature is the one that matches how your backyard is set up and how your people want to gather. If you sit in a circle and stay until the fire burns low, a fire pit built for real wood is the right choice. If you want a clean, effortless flame at the center of a lounge area, a gas fire table serves that well. If your outdoor space calls for a strong architectural statement and a directional heat source, an outdoor fireplace anchors the room.
Browse our full collection of fire features or reach out and we will help you find the right fit for your space.
