Can you use a gas fire table year-round? Yes. A gas fire table is an outdoor appliance, and many owners use it most on cool fall and winter evenings. What changes with the seasons is the care: let it dry after rain, cover it when it is cold and off, and plan your fuel for cold weather. The exact rules for storage and covers are in your table's manual, and they come first.
This guide answers the questions buyers ask most, using the Outdoor GreatRoom tables we sell.
Which materials hold up best outdoors?
The frame and top decide how much care a table needs through the year.
| Look | Models | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood look | Kenwood Chat, Kenwood Dining | Maintenance-free composite, no staining | $1,499 to $4,199 |
| Concrete | Key Largo, Cedar Ridge, Cove | Supercast concrete tops or cast concrete | $2,699 to $7,799 |
| Stone look | Sierra | Outdoor-rated faux stone panels | $3,899 |
| Wicker look | Montego | All-weather wicker | $1,899 |
If you want the least upkeep, the Kenwood's composite is the easiest. It has a wood-grain texture but needs no stain or sealer.
Using it in winter
- Clear snow and ice from the top and the burner area before you light it.
- Light it as the manual says, and keep the flame away from snow-covered furniture cushions.
- Expect warmth for the people at the table, not the whole patio. A fire table is a fire feature. If you want the whole seating area warm, add an electric infrared heater overhead.
Propane or natural gas in cold weather?
Most of our tables run on liquid propane with the tank hidden in the base, or convert to natural gas. Propane tanks deliver less pressure when they get very cold, so in a hard winter keep a spare tank and expect shorter run times. A natural gas line avoids tank swaps entirely, but a licensed professional must install it. The Cove Linear runs on natural gas only, with electronic ignition and a 110V connection. More on fuel in our hidden-tank propane guide.
Rain: what to do
- Let the table dry before lighting it after heavy rain. Water in the burner area and fire media can make lighting uneven.
- Check the manual for how the burner pan drains and whether the fire media can stay out in wet weather.
- Keep the tank compartment dry, and do not store anything else in it.
Covers and storage
- Only cover a cool table. Wait until the burner and top are cold.
- Use a breathable, fitted cover. A tight plastic sheet traps moisture underneath.
- Turn off the gas at the tank or supply when the table is not in use for a while.
- For long storage, disconnect the propane tank and store it upright outdoors, never in a closed garage or basement.
Gas fire table year-round: common questions
Can a gas fire table go on a covered patio?
That depends on the model's clearance rules for overhead structures. Check the manual's minimum clearance before you place it under a roof or pergola.
Can it stay outside all winter?
The tables are built for outdoor use. Whether yours should be covered or stored over winter is in its manual. When in doubt, cover it and disconnect the tank.
Does the cold damage the burner?
Not when the table is used and stored as the manual says. Keep water out of the burner and tank areas, and let the table dry before lighting.
Which table is easiest to live with year-round?
- Kenwood Chat (from $1,499) for maintenance-free composite and four shapes.
- Stonefire ($999) as a compact first table you can cover and move easily.
- Cove Linear ($7,799) if you want natural gas and no tank swaps in winter.
Compare all models in Outdoor GreatRoom fire tables compared, see the fire table collection, or send us a photo of your patio.