Lots of homeowners add fire pits to their properties so they can hang out or entertain guests outdoors all-year round.
As such items help to have an open fire more manageable and safer in your backyard, they’re great investments for those who want to make the most out of their mortgage.
However, if you live in an area that gets quite chilly on most nights, you might want to be very particular about the strength of your fire pit.
If you want to comfortably hang out in your backyard at night, no matter what the season is, you should look for a fire pit that can help warm you up.
The top rated gas fire pit for heat can do such a trick so you can just pour your efforts into finding one. With so many different options to choose from, though, this task might feel a bit daunting.
So to help you avoid making costly mistakes and find the right product for your backyard, here’s a quick guide in finding a gas fire pit that can generate a lot of heat.
Top Rated 10 Gas Fire Pits for Heat in 2021 – Get The Right Model:
Our Picks of 10 Best Gas Fire Pit for Heat Reviews:
To best demonstrate what you should expect and look for in the outdoor propane gas fire pit for heat, we’ve rounded up 10 popular items that fit the bill. Here they are:
1. Blue Rhino Endless Summer Outdoor Firebowl
What better item to start our list with than with the Blue Rhino Endless Summer Outdoor Fire-bowl?
It’s a gas fire pit table that will impress you the moment you lay your eyes on it. Once you get to know what it can do, however, you’ll be convinced that it’s a solid option.
The first thing that will strike you about this item is its sturdy construction. Made with cast iron and marble tiles, it’s pretty heavy-duty. It looks and feels durable.
Next up is its performance. Sporting a cast iron burner that can produce up to 40,000 BTU, it can certainly warm up a significant portion of your backyard.
In fact, it’s said to be capable of heating up to 150 sq ft so you can count on it to warm up those who will sit around it.
Features:
- Gas fire pit table
- 40,000 BTU
- Cast iron burner
- Guaranteed to warm up to 150 sq ft of space
- Metal frame with marble tile tabletop
- Multi-spark electronic ignition
- Variable fire settings
- Gas tank storage
- Double door design for easy tank access
- Lava rocks and logs included
- 26” x 41.26” x 21.7”
- 1-year limited warranty
- Protective cover included
2. Christopher Knight Home 32” Propane Gas Patio Heater
Love the DIY fire pit look but don’t have the time or the confidence to build one?
The Christopher Knight Home 32” Propane Gas Patio Heater can then be a good alternative for you. With its natural stonework design, it can certainly look like you’ve made your very own patio heater.
What lots of people love about this item is the fact that it comes fully assembled. There’s no more need to put together any piece. You just need to hook it up to your gas tank and you’re ready to cozy up in your backyard.
Features:
- Gas fire pit table
- 40,000 BTU
- High-grade steel and fireproof magnesium oxide construction
- Natural stone design
- Battery-operated ignitor
- Liquid propane gas tank storage
- Lava rocks included
- Waterproof PVC cover included
- 32” x 32” x 24”
3. Outland Firebowl 823 Outdoor Gas Fire Pit
For outdoor enthusiasts who want to relax away from home while communing with nature, the Outland Firebowl 823 Outdoor Gas Fire Pit will be a nice addition to your gear.
This portable fire pit can be a mess-free alternative to campfires with its 58,000 BTU rating and safer and easy-to-use design.
The best thing about this product is that it can also let you skirt around most campfire bans. It’s spark-free design and CSA certification promise safety so you can use it most campgrounds and forested areas.
Features:
- Portable gas fire pit
- 58,000 BTU
- 19” x 19” x 11”
- All-weather fire bowl
- Stainless steel burner
- CSA approved
- Pre-attached 10-ft hose
- Adjustable regulator with chrome valve knob
- Natural lava rock and propane tank stabilizer ring included
- Optional accessories available
4. Blue Rhino Outdoor Propane Gas Fire Pit
Another functional option is the Blue Rhino Outdoor Propane Gas Fire Pit.
Its sleek design gives this item an eye-catching appeal and a spot in many contemporary-style homes.
With its smaller size and lower heat output, this item can be the perfect fit in most homes.
Features:
- Gas fire pit table
- 30,000 BTU
- High-grade steel frame
- Handcrafted resin tabletop material
- Hidden control panel
- Push-button ignition
- Gas tank storage
- Blue fireglass or lava rocks included
- 5” x 32.6” x 9.5”
5. Heininger Portable Propane Outdoor Fire Pit
An alternative to the other portable gas fire pit mentioned above is the Heininger 5995 58,000 BTU Portable Propane Outdoor Fire Pit.
With its rugged and all-metal construction, it’s easy to tell that this could work as a handy alternative to campfires.
Despite its size, this item can get pretty hot. With a 58,000 BTU rating, it can definitely help you heat up an outdoor space without a hitch.
Features:
- Portable fire pit
- 58,000 BTU
- 2” x 19.2” x 11.5”
- All-weather fire bowl
- Chrome ignition knob
- Adjustable flame
- 10-ft hose and lava rocks included
- 22 lbs total weight
6. GDF Studio Stonecrest Outdoor Propane
Not a big fan of putting appliances together? Then check out the GDF Studio Stonecrest Outdoor Propane Gas Fire Pit.
Delivered to your footsteps as it is, you don’t need to assemble it anymore before use. Just hook up a propane tank, store it inside the unit ,and you’re good to go.
Features:
- Gas fire pit
- 40,000 BTU
- Natural stonework design
- Magnesium oxide material with natural stone finish
- 33″ x 33″ x 24″
- Ignition knob
- Adjustable flame
- Gas tank storage
- Lava rock included
7. Barton Outdoor Propane Lava Rock Patio Heater
Looking for something more compact that can still generate a lot of warmth? The Barton Outdoor Propane Lava Rock Patio Heater fits the bill.
This column-style fire pit can create up to 40,000 BTUs so even if it’s fire pit only measures 21.5 by 21.5 inches, it can still warm up a good portion of your backyard.
Features:
- Colum fire pit
- 40,000 BTU
- 21-½” x 21-1/2″x 30″
- Aluminum housing
- Slate rock finish
- Piezo ignition knob
- Adjustable flame
- Lava rocks and protective cover included
8. Sunward Patio Portable Outdoor 19-Inch Fire Bowl
With everything that is happening to Mother Nature today, it’s more important than ever to leave nothing but footprints in the wilderness.
The Sunward Patio Portable Outdoor 19-inch Fire Bowl can help with that as you can swap out your campfires for this item.
As a portable outdoor fire pit, it can already help warm up your space and maybe even cook some food for you while camping or tailgating.
It’s easier to use and clean up, too, so you might really want to consider switching to this portable outdoor appliance.
Features:
- Portable gas fire pit
- 58,000 BTU
- 19” diameter
- Clean, smokeless flame
- Stainless steel burner
- Includes lava rocks, propane tank stabilizer, 10-foot hose, and carrying handles
9. TACKLIFE Auto-Ignition Fire Pit, 18.7 Inch, Lava Stone
For a modern-looking portable gas fire pit option, take a look at the Tacklife Auto-Ignition, 18.7 Inch, Lava Stone Gas Fire Pit.
Unlike the other portable options listed above, this one sports a square-shaped fire bowl. It also has a slightly lower BTU rating but it more than makes up for it in efficiency.
Features:
- Portable gas fire pit
- 50,000 BTU
- High-grade steel bowl and frame
- Stainless steel panel and burner
- Auto-ignition with easy flame adjustment
- 10-feet gas hose with fluorescent detail for high visibility
- 7″ x 18.7″x 14.6″
- CSA approved
- Lock cover with handle included
- Lava stone and propane gas tank shelf included
10. XtremepowerUS Outdoor Fire Pit Heater Bronze
Finally, we present the XtremepowerUS Outdoor Firepit Heater Bronze. A gorgeous fire pit table, it can reach up to 40,000 BTUs despite its relatively small size.
The most notable thing about this item is its safety features.
Its control panel is concealed so little kids can’t easily access them. It’s also equipped with a flame failure device to further minimize risks and accidents.
Features:
- Gas fire pit table
- 40,000 BTU
- Sturdy steel frame with natural stone tabletop
- Hidden control panel
- Easy adjustment control switch
- CSA certified
- 30″ x 30″x 25”
- Thermocouple flame failure device
- Gas tank storage
- Fire pit cover included
Are Gas Fire Pits Safe?
Aside from choosing a nice gas fire pit, another important concern about these items is their safety. A lot of people wonder whether they’re safe.
Having an open fire in their properties can already put people on edge but the fact that it uses a volatile fuel can make things scarier. This is why it’s also very important to address the safety of using gas fire pits.
Simply put, gas fire pits come with risks but it can be made safe. By choosing a good product and using it properly, you minimize the risks that you’re exposing your home to.
For example, opting for a commercial gas fire pit might be way safer than DIYs. Appliances that are commercially sold usually go through quality tests so those can already minimize the risks of gas line leaks and faulty parts.
You can’t say the same for a DIY gas fire pit, especially if it’s your first time building one. It might be safer to have them constructed by experts, however.
As commercial gas fire pits also have their own safety features, you can also count on them to be safer options for your home.
In many cases, their control knobs are hidden away, both for aesthetic and safety purposes. They can also have specific safety features like push-button technology to prevent accidental ignition.
The proper use of these appliances can also further ensure the safety of these items. Avoid using it for other purposes aside from being a fire pit if it’s not meant for such purposes.
Placing the spark guard on the pit while a fire is on is also a good way to avoid accidents. Regular maintenance and upkeep are also necessary to keep such appliances in top shape.
If everyone in your home knows what to do around the fire pit, you can also minimize the risks of accidents.
Keeping kids away from the appliance, especially while it’s hooked up to a gas source or when lit up is always an absolute must.
Roughhousing around the pit should also be avoided so there won’t be any risks of tipping it over and damaging the gas tank.
In all honesty, observing the same safety measures used around stoves and fireplaces can make gas fire pits safe. Treat the said outdoor appliance the same way and you might not even have to worry about anything.
Does a Gas Fire Pit Give Off Heat?
This may seem like an unnecessary question but we assure you that it’s worth asking. Some people might have experienced not getting satisfactory results from fire pits, so they might not have faith in gas fire pits.
If you really want to enjoy your evenings in your backyard without freezing to death, you might want to know about the answer to this query.
Can a gas fire pit really give off heat? The answer here is yes but with certain conditions.
In order to enjoy a warm evening from a gas fire pit, you need to get a few things right. Here are some of them:
1. Ample BTU rating.
If your space is large or exposed to the wind, you will need a fire pit that can generate a lot of heat to warm up a specific area. For this, you need an appliance that can create enough BTUs.
Gas fire pits can usually generate 30,000 to 100,000 BTUs depending on their size and burner capacity. The higher the BTU rating, the warmer they can make your space.
2. The right size for your space.
If you want to warm up a large space, it would be wiser to get a larger fire pit. The bigger the fire, the more ground it can cover and warm up. So if you have a large backyard that you want to spend time comfortably in during chilly evenings, you should consider getting a bigger gas fire pit.
3. Proper maintenance.
Like with other appliances, the performance of fire pits tends to diminish if they’re not in great shape. So if you want to make sure that your unit will provide enough heat every time you light it up, you should make sure to maintain it properly.
Buying Guide – How to Choose the Best Gas Fire Pit for Heat?
After discussing all of the points above, it’s now time to guide you in narrowing down your options further and maybe even pinpointing the right product for your home.
For this, here are the tips how you can choose the best gas fire pit that can guarantee to generate enough heat for your backyard.
1. Pay close attention to its BTU rating.
Like what we have suggested above, gas fire pits tend to have BTU ratings to indicate the amount of heat it can generate.
The higher the rating, the higher the temperature will be. This is why it’s the first thing that you should look at if you want to make sure that your fire pit will be able to heat up your backyard.
As mentioned before, gas fire pits are typically rated at 30,000 to 100,000 BTUs so you can be guaranteed that you have enough options.
2. Choose the best spot in your property for the fire pit.
If you want to get the best experience from your fire pit, you should also consider looking for the best spot for the said outdoor appliance on your backyard.
A good location can help ensure that you can effectively and efficiently warm up the area with the right fire pit.
Make sure to avoid the spots that get a lot of wind. These areas will be very tricky to warm that even a powerful fire pit might have a hard time in achieving your desired results.
For your safety, choosing the right spot for a gas fire pit is also a must. If the area is secure and away from clutter and other flammable items, it could be a good, safe option.
3. Choose the right fire pit size for your space.
The size of the fire can also help determine the amount of heat you can get from your fire pit. So if you have a large backyard, getting a big fire pit will be ideal if you want to warm up a large space.
Combined with a high BTU rating, you can be sure that you’ll get to create a cozy atmosphere in your outdoor space.
4. Be particular with the type of fuel you’ll use.
While most gas fire pits use propane gas, there are also some that are compatible with natural gas. These kinds of gas fire pits have their own advantages and drawbacks so you have to take them into consideration.
For example, propane gas fire pits will normally need a gas tank to hold the fuel. This can be a bit fussy as you’ll need a good spot to store the said tank. While lots of fire pits come with storage areas for such, others don’t.
There are also cases where you might need to look for smaller tanks instead of the usual 20-lb variety. This can be more of a hassle for some households, so you might want to avoid them if possible.
Not a lot of gas fire pits can use natural gas but the ones that can be converted can be more convenient to have.
Despite the hassle of converting the lines, you won’t need to bother refilling tanks if you can hook your fire pit to your natural gas line. As a result, you can enjoy cozy evenings by the fire any time you feel like it.
Final Verdict
Gas fire pits are proven to be great options for their convenience and ease of maintenance.
As the amount of heat they can generate is also easier to tell, they’re definitely excellent options if your primary goal is to warm up your outdoor space.
If you’re very particular about this requirement, keep our tips and recommendations in mind. We’re sure you’ll find good use for them.
