What’s camping without a campfire? If you’re looking for a way to enjoy roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories without having to deal with firewood, smoke, or ashes, we have the solution. The best propane fire pit can make even your backyard into someplace special. We researched some of the best-known brands and top-selling products to put together this propane fire pit buying guide. But first, let’s look at the key features you need to know about before you shop.
Most Important Propane Fire Pit Attributes
Materials
It isn’t a surprise that these fire pits are all made of steel. It’s a durable material that resists the corrosion that an outdoor fire pit will come in contact with. There are other materials used but steel is most prominent.
BTUs
BTU stands for British thermal unit that measures heat. Technically, 1 BTU is the energy is needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree F. The more BTUs, the more heat it gives off.
Cover
Covers are great because they protect your fire pit when it’s not being used. In fact, the best portable fire pit should have a good cover included with it because that makes travel so much easier.
Hose Length
This is most important for portable fire pits. Why? Because it’s how you’ll connect the propane tank to the fire pit. The biggest take away here is to get as much as you need for your arrangement.
Size
What you really need to look for in respect to size if whether or not the fire pit will fit in the space you have for it. Portable ones are much smaller but, remember, they also need to fit in your vehicle.
Weight
If you want a portable one, make sure you can lift it. The fire pits designed to stay on your porch or in your backyard are usually pretty heavy. You wouldn’t want to be moving them around very much.
Top 10 Propane Fire Pit
Now that we covered some of the key features, let’s get right into our propane fire pit reviews. Here’s how it works. The first 2 items on the list are our top and budget picks. This is the best place to start if you’re in a hurry because it lets you see how big a range is available. If you can, read through all of our reviews. We promise, they’re all really awesome and have unique things to offer. Ready? Let’s go.
Outland Living Firebowl
Features
- Materials: Steel
- BTUs: 58,000
- Cover: Yes
- Hose Length: 10′
- Size: 19 x 19 x 10.5″
- Weight: 23.3 lbs
The Outland Living Firebowl is our top pick for a propane fire pit kit. The bowl has a 19-inch diameter and is the perfect size to give the feel of a campfire. The only difference is this fire pit puts out clean, smokeless flames. We really like that it’s lightweight. It’s portable enough to move from spot to spot. Plus, the 10 feet of hose give you a lot of options as to where to set up. Set up is easy and it even includes a cover so you can keep it protected after you’re done using it. The bowl is made of powder-coated steel and an enamel finish for durability. It’s a pretty safe bet that this one will last you a long time.
Camco Propane Campfire
Features
- Materials: Steel
- BTUs: 65,000
- Cover: Yes
- Hose Length: 8′
- Size: 16.3 x 8 x 16.3″
- Weight: 21 lbs
If you’re looking for affordable outdoor propane fire pit kits, look no further than our budget pick. The Camco Propane Campfire uses natural lava rocks to radiate. This one includes an 8-inch hose, adjustable regulator, and a convenient storage bag. Oh, and the lava rocks are included, too. One of the things that we like about this one is how portable it is. The legs fold up to a nice, compact size. Then, you just have to zip it into the storage bag and you’re ready to take it with you wherever you want. Take it camping, tailgating, or even just set it up in the backyard. It’s a good, cheap gas fire pit to travel with. Take it anywhere you want a fire with no wood, no ash, and no smoke.
Heininger Outdoor Fire Pit
Features
- Materials: Steel
- BTUs: 58,000
- Cover: No
- Hose Length: 10′
- Size: 19.2 x 19.2 x 11.5″
- Weight: 22 lbs
Our next pick for best portable propane fire pit is the Heininger Outdoor Fire Pit. It includes a 10-inch hose and a regulator so all you need is a propane tank to get started. We liked the size of this one. With its 19-inch diameter, it’s big enough to give off enough heat and make a decent sized fire. At the same time, it’s also still small and lightweight enough that it’s easy to take it from place to place. The steel construction is durable and will stand up to rust and corrosion. That’s not all, the decorative lava rocks are included, too. Basically, if you get the propane, this kit has everything else you need to get started burning a bigger, better campfire.
Crawford Outdoor Fire Pit
Features
- Materials: Steel
- BTUs: 40,000
- Cover: Yes
- Hose Length: None
- Size: 32 x 32 x 24″
- Weight: 155.4 lbs
The Crawford Outdoor Fire Pit is our pick for best outdoor propane fire pit. For one thing, it’s just gorgeous. The base is roughly square in shape and covered in light brown stone bricks. It’s easy to use, too. One side of the base simply opens up so you can slide the fire bowl easily inside. The fire pit itself is made of long-lasting magnesium oxide and steel. There’s no assembly required, either. That means all you have to do is get the propane and you’ll be burning a gorgeous fire on your patio, porch, or backyard in no time. Lava rocks are included, too, to help radiate heat to all of your guests. Because this is such a large fit pit and more elevated than most, you get a lot of seating options, too.
Camco Little Red Campfire
Features
- Materials: Steel
- BTUs: 65,000
- Cover: Yes
- Hose Length: 8′
- Size: 13.5 x 13.5 x 10.7″
- Weight: 15 lbs
We think the Camco Little Red Campfire is the best propane fire pit for camping. For one thing, it’s RV campground approved. It’s also an ideal size. The 11.25” diameter is perfect. It’s small enough that it’s easy to take with you from your back porch to the campsite but large enough to give you a real campfire feel. And get this. Instead of stones, this fire pit comes with realistic looking log pieces. You might think you’re sitting at a real wood fire, except there’s not smoke or ash, of course. That’s not all. It also comes with a sturdy lid and latches to keep everything together. And get this: they also sell a compatible cooktop, to take your fire pit to the next level.
Camp Chef Redwood Fire Pit
Features
- Materials: Steel
- BTUs: 53,000
- Cover: No
- Hose Length: 4′
- Size: 12 x 19 x 21″
- Weight: 32.3 lbs
The Camp Chef Redwood Fire Pit is up next. The fully adjustable flame-control dial keeps the flame at just the right height. Plus, there’s a safety shut off valve in case you need it. This is a really nice sized fire pit. The diameter is 19 inches and the whole thing is made out of durable steel. One thing that we really loved it the decorative pine tree cut-outs around the center rim. It’s a nice touch that makes this fire pit feel that much more welcoming. And that’s not all, you also get 4 adjustable roasting sticks so you can roast marshmallows, make s’mores, or cook a hot dog over the fire. This fire pit is definitely one that gives you that little extra something that makes sitting around the campfire more memorable.
Best Choice Products Fire Pit
Features
- Materials: Steel
- BTUs: 50,000
- Cover: Yes
- Hose Length: None
- Size: 57 x 22 x 24.8″
- Weight: 74 lbs
This Best Choice Products Fire Pit is a little different than most of the fire pits we’ve reviewed so far. And, while it’s not the only one designed to stay in one place, it is definitely the biggest. This is a beautiful piece. It’s rectangular in shape and made of slats of heavy-duty extruded aluminum. What does that mean? It’s really durable and will last a long time. The fire pit itself is full of clear glass beads that create an interesting, modern look. When you’re not in the mood for a fire, just put the lid in place and you instantly have an elegant outdoor table. That’s not all, when you’re done using it for the night or the season, place the vinyl cover so you’re ready for next time.
Endless Summer Fireplace
Features
- Materials: Steel
- BTUs: 30,000
- Cover: Yes
- Hose Length: None
- Size: 30 x 30 x 24.2″
- Weight: 59.8 lbs
For a nice sized fire pit that you’ll enjoy all summer long, check out the Endless Summer Fireplace. It’s a smart looking outdoor fireplace that will look really awesome on your back porch or deck. Get this: it’s actually handcrafted. The mantle is made of steel and tile and is really durable. In fact, the steel is weather resistant so you don’t need to worry about rust or corrosion. One thing we really like is that the propane tank is concealed inside so there are no unsightly tubes to look at. That’s not all. It’s so easy to assemble, you don’t even need any tools. Lava rocks are included, which adds to the overall look and really accents the flames. You’ll get a real fire pit without having to tend to ashes or smoke.
AZ Patio Propane Fire Pit
Features
- Materials: Steel
- BTUs: 40,000
- Cover: No
- Hose Length: None
- Size: 29 x 38 x 38″
- Weight: 105 lbs
Another great choice for a fire pit to liven up your backyard is this AZ Patio Propane Fire Pit. The propane tank is tucked away inside the bottom of the table so it’s out of sight. That also means you don’t have to worry about any hoses getting in the way. This is a square table with a 17” burn area. The burner pan and ring are stainless steel and resist rust and corrosion. We really like the finish on this, it has the look of hammered bronze and will look good with any kind of decor. The battery operated ignition system is really convenient, too. Glass beads are included for use in the fire area. They really add just the extra bit of visual interest you need to make your fire pit amazing.
Rockwell Fire Table
Features
- Materials: Steel
- BTUs: 50,000
- Cover: Yes
- Hose Length: None
- Size: 30 x 30 x 24.2″
- Weight: 42.5 lbs
Last but certainly not least is this gorgeous fire table from Rockwell. This fire pit has a specially crafted base that’s made out of heat-resistant steel. Why does that matter? It ensures that your fire pit will last a really long time. What’s really special about this one it the top surface. The Envirostone faux design resembles an old world mosaic that will add a touch of class and sophistication to your outdoor seating area. This isn’t exactly a portable fire pit but it’s not so heavy that you can’t move it around if you want to rearrange the furniture. You’ll get a run-time of 15 hours with a 20-gallon tank of propane. Use the tank adjustments as needed to make sure you get the most out of this one.