Table of Contents
A deck fire pit is a great add-on to any home, but it is important to make sure you have a deck safe fire pit.
10 Best Deck Fire Pits
These 10 are the best fire pits for your deck:
You’ll need to check if your deck is suitable for the kind of fire pit you want to install. If you are not sure, follow up with your local government before installing one.
If you do, you’ll be able to safely enjoy the perfect centerpiece for you and your friends to gather around to roast marshmallows on a chilly day or a weekend barbecue.
How you intend to use your fire pit will determine what kind of deck fire pit to install. A deck fire pit are very similar to an outdoor fireplace. Propane or natural gas, wood, and electric fire pits all have different pros and cons.
For those with smoke issues you should use a gas fire pit for your deck.
If you have a wood deck, you’ll have to consider the size of your deck and what base you will be placing your fire pit on. Fire pits for the deck are not going to be portable fire pits.
If you already have a pre-installed deck, make sure the kind of fire pit you want to install fits on your deck.
If you are building a new deck, you will want to leave enough space to walk around comfortably.
Deck Fire Pit Tips
What’s most important is to take proper safety precautions when selecting a deck safe fire pit as they can get to a high-temperature. We generally recommend a gas fire pit instead of a wood fire pit for a wood deck as they are smokeless. And while all the fire pits we reviewed are deck safe in general, you should always take proper precaution.
You can even go the extra step and buy a fire pit pad or mat to protect any wayward sparks. Another precaution is to shelter your fire pit from the wind to maintain proper control of the open flame.
Creating space around your deck fire pit is important whether you are using a built-in fire pit or a freestanding fire pit. Leave enough space to move your chairs around. You should also consider the wind direction. You wouldn’t want to disturb your guests with smoke.
If your patio is crowded, you will want to create a wind guard, especially for a wood-burning fire pit. If a wood-burning fire pit sounds like too much hassle, consider using a gas fire pit for deck.
If you are planning a fire pit that allows guests to sit around the fire, raise the fire pit around 18 inches above the ground. Make sure the foot stand is around 7 inches above the ground so it is not too close to the hot flames.
Make sure your deck is able to withstand the flames as well as the weight. Using a fire pit pad is highly recommended. Make sure there is at least 2 feet space around it.
1. Outland Living Series 401 Gas Fire Pit
This is a brown 44-inch outdoor fire table. If you love fancy and exquisite with a touch of elegance this is for you. It uses propane gas as a fuel source together with lava rocks.
It comes with an auto ignition feature and burns at around 35,000 BTU. It has a unique feature which is a pre-attached 3 ft. hose with a regulator and a glass table cloth. It also comes with a stainless steel burner.
- Uses materials which are durable and are of high quality
- Produces less smoke because it’s a gas fire table for deck and patio
- Can be a good fire pit for wood deck
- It’s safe and comes with a warranty
- Relatively expensive
- Can be difficult to light at times
2. Bali Outdoors Square Gas Fire Pit
This is actually a great outdoor fire pit. It has a 50,000 BTU stainless steel burner, which makes it a great gas fire pit for a deck.
It also comes with an electronic ignition which is safe as well as lava rock. Most people love it due to its durable materials. It is especially convenient as you do not have to look for fire wood, and can simply switch it on.
- Its durable and has a stable body
- Has quite a lot of space
- Great fire pit on wood deck since it has a stand
- Only uses gas
- Comes in limited range in terms of colors
3. Global Outdoors Square Slate Top Fire Pit
When it comes to uniqueness and style this is the product for your patio. It comes with a great slate top, and an adjustable leg feature that makes it great for an outdoor deck.
It has a deep fire bowl to increase air flow and can hold large flames.
- Waterproof cover
- Well-spaced. Its long legs make it a great option
- Has a deep bowl for large fires.
- Not a gas fire pit for deck; only uses wood
- It easily breaks if not properly handled
4. Bonnlo Outdoor Wood Burning Fire Pit Table
When you are looking for ambiance plus a great door experience, Bonnlo does the work for you. This is a wood burning table meant for outdoor living spaces.
It comes with a durable heat resistant steel frame, which is very essential as it will withstand a lot of heat without posing danger.
It also has a great fire spark guard to keep the flame under control. Its bowl height is around 4.3 inches.
- Is a good size to accommodate a number of people
- Legs well suited for a fire pit on deck
- Comes with a spark screen mesh and fire poker
- Not suited as a gas fire pit on deck because it only uses wood
- Can only be used in outdoor spaces
5. XtremepowerUS Premium Outdoor Patio Fire Pit Table
This ExtremepowerUS is great for a deck or patio. Its major selling point is its convenience as it can be used as a table or a fire pit depending on your needs.
We especially like the beautiful bronze color, which added an elegant touch. While it doesn’t come with a propane tank (would need to purchase separately).
it has a heat output of 40,000BTU and is made of durable steel.
- Great and spacious table space that can be improvised into a patio table
- Uses durable and quality material
- Has less smoke
- Its leg proportion makes it suitable as a fire pit for wood deck
- Only uses propane
- It is quite hard to assemble
6. AKOYA Outdoor Essentials Rectangular Fire Pit Table
This AKOYA fire pit comes with a glass guard, crystals and has two colors ways to choose from (cobalt blue and brown).
Its especially unique as it also acts as a 65-inch spacious tabletop which can act as a good patio or deck table for a family dinner.
It burns liquid propane to up to 50,000 BTUs and last up to 10 hrs. high setting or 28 hrs. low setting burn time.
- Can be converted into a gas fire pit for decks
- Has a high burn time
- Comes in a range of colors
- More expensive than the rest
- Cannot use wood as fuel
7. Best Choice Products Natural Stone Gas Fire Pit
This is an outdoor gas fire pit for deck, patios and porches. It comes in a wide range of colors. Most people who have used it love its unique natural stone design.
The propane tank is connected via a hose and can be situated off to the side of the fire pit which makes it even better. It also has a stainless steel burner, but it only outputs up to 30,000 BTUs.
- Gas powered
- Has an unique design
- Its flames can burn for hours
- Its base makes it more difficult to use as a fire pit for decks
- Heat output only at 30,000 BTUs
8. Christopher Knight Home Crawford Gas Fire Pit Table
This is a great outdoor square stone fire pit table that uses propane gas. Its unique design will blend well with your backyard.
It features an adjustable flame height, steel construction, and uses lava rocks to retain heat. It’s like having a roaring campfire in your backyard.
- Comes with a warranty
- Has quality and durable materials
- Has an adjustable flame options to suit your needs
- Base makes it more difficult to use as a deck fire table
- Easy to fall apart if not properly handled
9. Catalina Creations Heavy Duty Cast Iron Fire Pit
This heavy-duty cast iron deck fire pit is a wood-burning fire pit and comes in a unique design to fit your backyard.
If you love cast iron fire pits or old-school, traditional themes, then this product is a must have. Its cover also protects your deck and patio from wayward sparks.
- Due to its material it is very durable and highly flexible
- It has the best focal point to fit any patio
- It can be used for large fires
- Its material make it heavier to move around
- Can rust quite easily
10. Sunnydaze Cosmic Outdoor Fire Pit
This steel fire pit uses wood and is very easy to start up. Its great for outdoor use with its circular design and its large size enables it to accommodate a number of people.
Its a great fire pit with high portability and a stylish decoration piece. It comes with a fireplace poker, a metal grate protector.
- It is rust-resistant and has heavy-duty material
- It very easy to set up and require not much effort
- Comes with a one-year warranty
- Drain hole can be too small
- Relatively thin metal
Best Deck Fire Pits – Buyer’s Guide:
Finding out which fire pits are perfect for wood decks all by yourself can be quite a confusing task. While the products mentioned above are one of the finest deck fire pits, if you still need to look for some specific requirements your deck fire pit should consist of, then it’s advised to look at the buyer’s guide below and refer to it to have your desired deck fire pit that you’ve always wanted.
Material:
Considering all the materials that are used to design and texture a fire pit, each one consists of their own benefits and drawbacks. A fire pit’s material is an essential information one should have beforehand while purchasing a fire pit.
Picking up material can be more confusing when manufacturers throw in the additional fire pads as the materials of the fire pit are similar with the fire pads but these both products are designed to serve different tasks.
Steel:
Steel fire pits are built, cleaned, and can be found in various shapes and sizes. Susceptible to rust, these steel fire pits are normally designed to look attractive and eye catching to the viewers. What’s even better? Steel is likely to be one of the materials that reduces the overall weight of a fire pit.
The only con it carries is that when it’s exposed to air, it can get rust very quickly. This problem will become especially troublesome when you reside in an area that has quick weather changes.
Concrete:
Concrete is considered to be very rare for fire pits but this isn’t because of its effectiveness. The main reason concrete is not preferred while designing the fire pits as it makes the fire pits heavy and difficult to move around.
Apart from its weight, concrete can be proved to be effective while texturing fire pits. This is because concrete pits remain cool and can be touched, even when its temperature is extremely high. You can remain assured that concrete will never melt, even if the whole of the fire pit catches fire.
Cast Iron:
Cast iron fire pits can prove to be little costly as you have to pay more than what you will usually pay for other fire pits, but it’s price is what it’s worth. Featuring two common shapes; bowl and bucket, cast iron fire pits consist of a sturdy design and offer a rust-resistant option that can prove to be ideal for cooking.
Cast iron absorbs heat efficiently and once it cannot absorb any more heat, it begins to exhale extra heat outward and makes it the best material to be used in a fire pit.
Aluminum:
Being lightweight and easily portable, Aluminum fire works perfectly as outdoor heaters one can get at affordable prices. It’s heat conductive material lasts for years and makes these Aluminum highly durable.
Apart from consisting of these special features, it is believed that Aluminum should not be in manufacturing the bodies of the fire pit. Instead, Aluminum can prove to be great for the frame of the fire pit as it works perfectly against certain environmental stresses, while acting as a strong material.
Aluminum is also known as a great heat absorbing material and the most common material used in fire pits to prevent these products from damaging the wood decks below them.
Style and Height:
You can choose your fire pit from hundreds of designs. You can choose your fire pit to be either simple round rings or creative classic metal which is eye-catching and attractive. It’s recommended to select a fire pit which is light in weight and provides a high portability option.
Fire pits are categorized into three heights; ground fire pit, average table-height pit, and dining table top pit. Various designs have different features. It’s recommended to choose the height according to your personnel preference and what you believe will serve you the best.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Verdict!!!
You don’t have to go out of your way to change your deck to accommodate a fire pit. As you can see, there are many different types of fire pits that can suit any budget or preference. You can choose from propane fire pit tables to wood burning fire pits, all of which have different shapes, sizes, and features. Most come with all the accessories you need too, so you don’t have to buy additional parts separately. With all the different options to select from you should be able to find the right one for your deck.
Related: Best Fire Pit: Top 12 Fire Pit Reviews and Guide
Related: Best Patio Heater 2024: Top 10 Reviews and Buyer Guide
Related: Chiminea Fire Pits: Top 10 Chiminea Fire Pit Reviews