What Is The Difference Between a Wood Burning, a Natural Gas and a Propane Fire Pit Table?
Fire pit tables are constructed with a specific fuel source in mind. We will have a quick look at the differences between them here.
Note: Some areas have permanent or semi bans on wood burning due to fire hazard or air quality issues. Make sure your area allows wood burning outdoor fireplaces before investing in a model. For those who live in areas where wood burning is not permitted, the good news is there is a nice range of gas designs available.
Wood Burning Fire Pit Tables
A wood burning fire pit table is very popular as well as very affordable. It consists of a fire bowl and a log grate in which one can place a couple of wood logs. A fire can then be made with some kindling and tinder. Many people love the smell and feel of a classic wood fire and enjoy the aspect of building it themselves.
A wood fire must be tended to throughout the evening to keep it going, and when it is time to head inside for the night, a wood fire must be watched until it is completely extinguished. Wood burning fire pit tables can also be used safely to roast marshmallows, treats and if it is possible to attach a grill to your model, you can even have a barbeque over it. These models tend to be lighter than gas models, but not always and therefore easier to move around.
Wood burning fire pit tables almost always come with a fire pit screen. This is usually a dome shaped mesh which can be placed over the fire bowl. A safety screen is used to protect you from any stray sparks when sitting up close to the fire and when dining around it.
Propane Fire Pit Tables
Propane fire pit tables are becoming increasing popular as more designs become available. The advantage these possess is that they are amazingly easy to use.
Many modern designs of the propane fire pit table include inbuilt electric ignition. This means you can turn your fire on and off with a simple push of a button from a control panel. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
Those who don’t want the hassle of starting their own fire manually will prefer a propane model. Gas fire tables tend to cost a little more than their wood burning counterparts as there is a bit more involved in its construction.
A propane model runs off a propane tank (most common used tank is a 20 pound liquid propane tank). This tank is either placed inside the table usually making it unseen from view, or it is connected via a hose. Almost always sold separately, you can purchase a propane tank from a local hardware store or gas station. They come prefilled, and need to be refilled from time to time depending on how often you use your fire pit table.
Natural Gas Fire Pit Tables
Fire pit designs which run on natural gas are the least common of the three fuel sources. These work by being connected to your home’s natural gas lines. This makes them harder to move should one need to, and they are often heavier as well. They do however possess the same advantage as propane models with their easy starting and stopping of the fire.
Natural gas is found more in outdoor fireplaces but is still a viable option in outdoor fire pit tables. Some of the higher priced propane models have the option of being able to convert it to natural gas.
Maintenance
Both wood burning and propane fire pit tables require some upkeep. You will need to have a supply a wood logs available, and keep it restocked, if you want to use your pit often. And with propane tanks, you will need to refill them anywhere from once every few weeks to a couple times a year. Wood burning models produce smoke and ash, so usually require a bit more cleaning up than a gas model.