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In This Review: Outland Living Rectangular Fire Table | U-MAX Propane Gas Fire Pit Table | Best Choice Products Fire Pit Table | Outland Living Square Fire Pit Table | Yaheetech Fire Pit Table | Buyer’s Guide | Fire Pit Table Safety Tips | FAQs
A fire pit table is a valuable piece of outdoor furniture, especially for homeowners who enjoy hosting gatherings or otherwise spending time outside. To help you find the best fire pit table for your needs, we at the This Old House Reviews Team researched several products on Amazon. Discover our top recommendations below.
Top 5 Fire Pit Tables
Check out our top selections for fire pit tables on Amazon:
- Best for Large Yards: Outland Living Rectangular Fire Table
- Safest Fire Pit: U-MAX Propane Gas Fire Pit Table
- Best for Small Yards: Best Choice Products Fire Pit Table
- Best Tabletop: Outland Living Square Fire Pit Table
- Best for Traditional Fires: Yaheetech Fire Pit Table
Best Fire Pit Table – Comparison Table
Product | Total BTU Output | Shape | Weight | Dimensions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Outland Living Rectangular Fire Table | 50,000 | Rectangular | 96 pounds | 44 x 32 x 24 inches |
U-MAX Propane Gas Fire Pit Table | 50,000 | Rectangular | Not listed | 28 x 44 x 25 inches |
Best Choice Products Fire Pit Table | 50,000 | Square | 65 pounds | 28 x 28 x 25 inches |
Outland Living Square Fire Pit Table | 42,500 | Square | 83 pounds | 36 x 36 x 25 inches |
Yaheetech Fire Pit Table | Not listed | Square | 27 pounds | 32 x 31 x 14 inches |
Product | Total BTU Output | Shape | Weight | Dimensions |
Best For Large Yards: Outland Living Rectangular Fire Table
Pros and Cons
✔ Features easy-pull handles to reach the hidden propane tank under the tabletop
✔ Has a powder-coated aluminum frame for durability
✔ Doesn’t produce smoke
✘ Weighs close to 100 pounds
✘ Requires a separate purchase if you want a flame guard
What Customers Are Saying
This fire pit table was popular among Amazon reviewers for its sturdy and durable build. They also liked its easy assembly and stylish design. However, others felt that this fire pit table didn’t come with enough rocks.
Safest Fire Pit: U-MAX Propane Gas Fire Pit Table
Pros and Cons
✔ Can place a lid over the burner when the burner isn’t on to use the surface as a table
✔ Comes with a fairly long 2.4-foot hose
✔ Has a durable stainless steel burner and control panel
✘ Takes up a lot of space in the yard
✘ Arrives with a damaged copper wire sometimes, which hinders the burner’s setup
What Customers Are Saying
Pleased customers liked how easy this fire pit table was to use, particularly pointing out the pull-out drawer that led to the propane tank. Others were impressed with its straightforward assembly and high heat output. On the other hand, some customers didn’t like that it scratched easily and arrived with missing parts.
Best Design: Best Choice Products Fire Pit Table
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes with brown beads to make it look like the flames are burning a fuel source
✔ Has a base that’s wrapped in weather-resistant wicker
✔ Can hold a 20-pound propane tank
✘ Doesn’t reach more than a few feet off of the ground, so it may be awkward to use as a regular table
✘ Turns off sometimes, even when the propane tank is full
What Customers Are Saying
This table earned positive reviews on Amazon for its easy assembly and stunning design. Others pointed to its small size that made it easy to fit anywhere. Alternatively, some customers said that the table didn’t always ignite when they prompted it to. Another common complaint was that it wasn’t sturdy enough.
Best Tabletop: Outland Living Square Fire Pit Table
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a heat output of 42,500 BTUs
✔ Compatible with Outland Living’s accessories, including the cover
✔ Comes with a long three-foot hose
✘ Can hit your legs on the extended tabletop as you walk by
✘ Requires manual lighting with a lighter or match sometimes
What Customers Are Saying
Purchasers who were pleased with this tabletop fire pit liked that it had an elegant design and was made with high-quality materials. Others also said that it came with easy-to-follow setup instructions. Mixed reviews for this product mentioned its difficult ignition process.
Best For Small Yards: Yaheetech Fire Pit Table
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a sturdy yet lightweight build
✔ Comes with easy-to-follow instructions for assembly
✔ Offered in multiple sizes and colors
✘ Doesn’t come with the cooking grate
✘ Doesn’t produce on-demand flames like gas-powered fire pit tables
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who left positive reviews for this product liked its compact and lightweight design. Others were impressed with its cover that protected it from weather damage and kept it clean. However, a select group of users didn’t like how quickly it rusted.
Buyer’s Guide
The fire pit table you purchase should fit your yard, be easy to use, and produce enough heat. Read our buying guide below to learn how to search for these factors and a few more.
Fuel Source
Fire pit tables can use a variety of fuel sources, with propane, natural gas, and wood being some of the most common:
- Propane: This is the most common fire pit table fuel source. The fire pit connects to a propane tank that’s hidden in a cabinet underneath the table’s surface. While propane tables cost more upfront, they’re easier to ignite than wood and charcoal tables, often featuring a push-button ignition system.
- Natural gas: These tables connect to a natural gas line. They usually require professional installation, and they have to stay where they get installed. However, you don’t have to worry about refilling the fuel source.
- Wood: This type of fire pit resembles a bonfire. Wood fire pits can be difficult to light and maintain, posing a safety risk with their live fire.
- Charcoal: Similar to wood tables, charcoal tables can be difficult to start. However, they’re easy to control once the fire gets going because the flame is small and evenly burning.
- Bio-ethanol: Bio-ethanol is a green fuel that doesn’t produce smoke, ashes, or embers. It’s a good option if you’re worried about your environmental footprint, but it’s expensive.
- Gel: Gel is another environmentally friendly fuel that doesn’t produce smoke, ashes, or embers. However, it’s rare to find a table that uses it.
Material
Material affects durability and appearance. Since your fire pit table is going to be outside as a piece of patio furniture, consider how the material holds up to the elements:
- Steel: Steel tables come in different sizes and colors. They typically have a powder coating to prevent rust.
- Stainless steel: Stainless steel has a sleek and modern look. Tables made of this material are weather-resistant, rust-resistant, and lightweight.
- Aluminum: Aluminum is resistant to warping, cracking, and rusting, but it’s not as durable as heavier materials.
- Cast aluminum: Cast aluminum tables are heavier and sturdier than regular aluminum ones because they don’t have hollow parts.
- Bronze: Bronze tables are attractive and durable, but they cost more than other tables.
- Copper: Copper tables have a different look than bronze ones, but they fall within the same price range.
- Wicker: Wicker is a common outdoor furniture material. It’s typically wrapped around a metal frame for more durability.
- Fiberglass: Fiberglass mimics the appearance of polished stone, but it’s more lightweight.
- Natural stone: Natural stone tables are highly durable, explaining their higher price tag. However, they’re nearly impossible to move once you assemble them.
- Faux stone/polyresin: Faux stone gives the appearance of real stone, but it costs and weighs less.
Size
Consider the size and layout of your yard before you choose a table. If your yard is small, a 20- or 25-inch table will suffice. If you have a larger yard, you may want to buy a 40- or 48-inch table.
Ignition
If you don’t want to spend 15-20 minutes lighting your table every time you use it, consider a model that uses propane or natural gas.
Heat Output
Your gas fire pit table should tell you how much heat it produces in British Thermal Units (BTUs). In general, it should provide 20 BTUs for every square foot it’s heating.
Fire Pit Table Safety Tips
While using a fire pit table can be fun, it poses some safety risks if you’re not careful. Here are some important tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t leave your fire pit table outdoors and uncovered in bad weather. Doing so could damage it past the point of being usable. You should either purchase a protective cover for it or move it into your shed or garage.
- Don’t use a gas fire pit table in a confined space. Gas emits toxic fumes, so you have to use it in an open or screened area.
- Keep flammable items as well as children and pets away from your fire pit table.
- If you’re using your fire pit table on a deck or balcony, make sure that it has at least two layers of heat shielding underneath it.
- Always place your fit pit table on a flat, level surface. This means no grass.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Pit Tables
Can I use a fire pit table on my wood deck?
Gas-powered fire pit tables are usually safe to use on wood decks. However, traditional ones could start a house fire.
What’s the difference between a fire pit and a fire pit table?
The primary difference between a fire pit and a fire table is that a fire table functions as an ordinary tabletop when a fire isn’t going. A fire pit doesn’t offer a usable surface.
Where should I put my outdoor fire pit table?
Your fire pit table should be at least 10 feet away from any structures on your property. If you have the extra space, place it 20-25 feet away. Additionally, keep your fire pit away from patio umbrellas, awnings, and other overhangs.
Does my fire pit table come with faux logs, rocks, or beads?
Some gas fire pit tables come with faux logs, rocks, or beads to mimic real flames.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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