Is a Gas Fire Pit Worth It?

Ryan M. Grambart
Founder & CEO - CopperSmith
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Ryan M. Grambart

is a gas fire pit worth it

A fire pit for your home’s outdoor space is an investment. When choosing an outdoor fire pit, you want to be confident you’re getting your money’s worth.

Perhaps you’ve been looking into gas fire pits. This type of fire pit is widely available and a popular option. However, before purchasing a new gas fire pit, you may need to confirm if doing so is a wise financial decision.

The short answer to your question is a simple “Yes.” Gas fire pits are worth buying due to the numerous advantages they offer. This guide will cover some of their more noteworthy benefits, helping you better understand why installing an outdoor fire pit which uses gas is an investment that will pay off in both the short term and the long term just like buying a high quality stove hoods.

Why a Gas Fire Pit is Worth Your Money

are gas fire pits worth the money

Ease of use

You must account for many factors when deciding which type of fire pit is the right backyard or patio heater for your home. Fuel type is among the more significant factors.

A wood burning fire pit is certainly an attractive option that adds a rustic quality to your property. However, many would argue a wood fire pit isn’t as convenient as a gas fire pit.

This is because starting a fire with wood can be much more difficult than starting a gas fire. First, if you purchase a wood burning fire pit, you’ll need to find a local wood supplier you can rely on to provide you with firewood throughout the year. Depending on where you live, finding such a supplier may prove challenging.

Additionally, wood needs to be dry to ignite. Starting a fire in a wood fire pit can therefore be a more difficult task than some realize.

Starting a fire with a gas fire pit is much easier. Often, gas fire pits have electronic ignition switches or other such features that allow you to essentially start a fire with the push of a button.

Safety

Understanding how to safely use any type of fire pit is vital. You should ask questions about this topic when purchasing your fire pit, and conduct thorough research to ensure you know how to guard against accidents. It’s also wise to research any relevant local laws regarding fire pit usage.

That said, while wood fire pits can definitely be safe when used responsibly, you can’t simply turn a knob or press a button to extinguish the flames in a wood fire pit. You need to douse the flames thoroughly, ensuring no embers remain. If they were to escape the fire pit and come into contact with trees, leaves, or grass, it’s theoretically possible for a fire to spread unexpectedly.

This is less of a concern when you purchase a gas fire pit. Because extinguishing the fire will usually be a simple task, you can spend less time worrying about safety and more time relaxing in the comfortable warmth your fire pit delivers.

Low maintenance

fire pit designs

Just as it’s critical that you understand how to safely operate your fire pit, you should also familiarize yourself with the essentials of gas fire pit upkeep. Staying on top of proper maintenance is key to optimizing the lifespan of a fire pit.

Luckily, compared to some other types of fire pits, gas fire pits are fairly easy to maintain. Again, this is due to the fuel they use.

When you put out a fire in a wood burning fire pit, ashes will be left behind. You need to clean those ashes away to ensure your wood fire pit doesn’t lose its aesthetic appeal.

Gas fire pits usually don’t need to be cleaned after every use because there are simply no ashes to remove. Consider this if you wish to install a fire pit that doesn’t require constant maintenance or year round care.

Versatility

A fire pit can serve as a beautiful focal point which enhances the overall appearance of your yard or outdoor living area. That said, one person’s idea of an attractive fire pit may not be the same as someone else’s.

This is another reason gas fire pits appeal to many homeowners. While some fire pit types come in a fairly small range of styles and sizes, gas fire pits come in seemingly countless shapes and designs. This ensures you can almost certainly find a gas fire pit that’s exactly the type you’re looking for.

Additional functionality

All fire pits provide warmth. However, keeping warm is not the only use you may find for a gas fire pit. This is once again thanks to the fact that gas fire pits come in many different styles.

For example, as the name implies, a gas fire pit table is a fire pit which has extra space for glasses, dishes, and other such items. When you’re not burning a fire, your gas fire pit table can double as a functional surface in your yard, adding to its value and usefulness.

Ideal for a small yard

The fact that a fire pit table can serve multiple purposes may make it a wise purchase for someone who doesn’t have a particularly large backyard. Instead of deciding between buying a new table for the yard or a new fire pit, if you only have room for one, you can install a fire pit table that makes optimal use of the space you’re working with.

Portability

Some fire pit types are designed to be built in to certain fixtures or surfaces. This can limit your options when deciding where exactly you wish to install your fire pit.

Many propane fire pits are different. Portable fire pits which use a propane tank as a fuel source can often be moved to various locations on your property.

This is naturally an advantage if you’re the type of person who likes to make changes to the overall design of your patio. With a portable fire pit, you can experiment with placing it in numerous spots near the house, finding one that’s ideal for your preferences. Again, if the fire pit is portable, you always have the option of moving it to a different spot if you ever wish to do so in the future.

Inexpensive

best outdoor fire pit

Operating a gas fire pit usually doesn't cost very much money. This is particularly true if your pit gets its fuel from a natural gas line.

How much it costs to operate a given fire pit can vary depending on a model’s specifications. Generally, though, you may be able to operate a natural gas fire pit for less than one dollar every hour.

That’s key. Again, your goal is to ensure you’re spending your money wisely when buying a new fire pit. Purchasing one that doesn’t cost much money to operate helps you achieve this goal.

Yes, a Gas Fire Pit is Worth It

Waiting to purchase a fire pit or other such item for your property until you know doing so is a good use of your money is smart. Luckily, if you’re attracted to gas fire pits, you’ll be happy to know they make for very worthwhile investments. A new gas fire pit can be a relatively affordable purchase in the long run, offering you and your loved ones years of comfort.

 

December 10, 2022