How to Choose a Gas Fire Pit Table: Shape, Height & Fuel Explained
A gas fire pit table is the rare piece of outdoor furniture that changes how a patio gets used. Flip a switch and the space works after sunset and deep into fall; turn the burner off and you still have a table. But the category is confusingly broad: linear troughs, round bowls, chat height, dining height, natural gas, propane. This guide walks through the four decisions that actually matter, in the order you should make them.
Key Takeaways
- Shape follows seating. Linear tables suit sofa-and-sectional layouts where everyone faces the flame; round tables suit conversation circles where chairs surround it.
- Height follows function. Chat-height tables sit low next to lounge furniture; dining-height tables replace your patio dining table so dinner and fire share one surface.
- Fuel follows your hookup. If you have (or can run) a natural gas line, it means never swapping tanks; a propane tank hidden in the base keeps the table freely movable.
- Check clearances before you buy. Fire tables need open sky or generous overhead clearance — always confirm the manufacturer's clearance requirements against your covered patio or pergola.
Step 1: Pick the shape that matches your seating
Linear fire tables
A linear (rectangular) fire table puts a ribbon of flame along the middle of a long tabletop. It is the natural partner for an outdoor sofa or sectional: everyone sits on one or two sides and looks across the fire. Our lineup runs from the architectural Cedar Ridge and Uptown to the coastal-styled Key Largo and Montego.
Round tables and fire bowls
Round designs like the Stonefire work where seating forms a circle — four chairs pulled up, everyone equidistant from the flame. A sculptural bowl such as the Cove round bowl trades tabletop space for presence: it reads as a fire feature first and a table second.
Square tables
The Sierra square splits the difference — circular seating logic with a modern, angular footprint that lines up neatly with square patios and pavers.
Step 2: Chat height or dining height?
Chat height is the low-slung option that matches lounge furniture — think coffee-table height beside a deep outdoor sofa. The Kenwood chat-height is built exactly for this: drinks within reach, flame at eye level when you sink into cushions.
Dining height puts the burner in the middle of a full-height table, so the fire table is the dinner table. The Kenwood dining-height seats a dinner party around a live flame — one piece of furniture doing two jobs.
A simple test: if your patio furniture is lounge-style (low, cushioned), choose chat height. If you eat outside more than you lounge, dining height earns its footprint twice a day.
Step 3: Natural gas or propane?
- Natural gas means a fixed line installed by a plumber or gasfitter — an upfront project, but you never think about fuel again. The table stays where the line is.
- Propane uses a standard 20 lb tank concealed in the table base. No installation, and you can rearrange the patio on a whim — at the cost of swapping tanks a few times a season.
Most models we carry are configured for one fuel or convertible with a manufacturer kit — the fuel options are listed on each product page. If you already run natural gas to a grill, extending the line to a fire table is usually a modest add-on for the same installer.
Step 4: Check placement and clearances
Gas fire tables are generally for open-air use. Before ordering, measure your overhead situation: manufacturers specify minimum clearances to combustible overhangs, and a low pergola or covered patio may rule out an open flame in that spot (an electric radiant heater is usually the right answer under a roof — heat without flame). Also plan for wind: a glass wind guard keeps the flame steady and upright on exposed decks.
The fire tables we carry, at a glance
| Model | Shape | Height | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Ridge | Linear | Chat | Timber-look, warm and rustic |
| Uptown | Linear | Chat | Clean-lined, contemporary |
| Montego | Linear | Chat | Relaxed resort styling |
| Key Largo | Linear | Chat | Midnight Mist finish, coastal |
| Cove Linear 54" | Linear | Chat | Sculpted concrete-look trough |
| Kenwood Chat | Linear | Chat | Classic hearth look, low |
| Kenwood Dining | Linear | Dining | Dine around the flame |
| Stonefire | Round | Chat | Stone-look, circle seating |
| Sierra | Square | Chat | Angular, modern |
| Cove Bowl | Round bowl | Low | Fire feature first |
All of these are from The Outdoor GreatRoom Company, ship free as curbside freight in the lower 48, and carry the manufacturer's warranty through our authorized-dealer program. Browse the full lineup in our fire tables collection, or pair one with a gas patio heater for the cold-shoulder months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a gas fire pit table under a covered patio?
Usually not — open flames need the overhead clearance the manufacturer specifies, and most covered patios fall short. Check the clearance figures on the product's spec sheet before ordering; for roofed spaces, electric radiant heat is the safe alternative.
Do fire tables give off real warmth?
Yes, but think campfire, not furnace: the warmth is radiant and reaches the people seated immediately around the table. For heating a whole seating area evenly, a fire table pairs well with mounted patio heaters rather than replacing them.
What maintenance does a gas fire table need?
Very little: keep the burner ports clear of debris, cover the table when not in use, and store the glass media or lava rock dry. Propane models just need a tank swap when empty.
Natural gas or propane — which is cheaper to run?
Natural gas typically costs less per hour of flame and never runs out mid-evening, but requires a fixed line. Propane wins on flexibility and zero installation. If a gas line already serves your patio, use it.
Not sure which model fits your layout? Send us a photo of your patio and rough dimensions — we spec fire features every week and answer within one business day.