Portable Propane Fire Pits
Considering a portable fireplace for your porch, deck, or patio? There are dozens of different options available today. But trying to sort them out so you make the best choice for you and your family can be a confusing and frustrating experience. That's why we've narrowed our list to the top portable propane fire pits on the market today.
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Ahhh... the comfort and ambience a fireplace provides is truly one of life’s simple pleasures, especially when enjoyed with friends and family. But changing fire code regulations in many jurisdictions now makes wood burning in the backyard illegal. If you happen to live in an area where open fires are still permitted, consider yourself fortunate. Or not.
With a quality propane-fueled fire pit, there’s no firewood to gather and trim. No struggling to get the thing to ignite. And you don’t have to wear that unmistakeable burned wood odor on your clothes and body. Oh, and you also don’t have to worry about putting out the fire at the end of the night, or cleaning up the mess.
Propane fireplaces are here to stay, and we'll tell you about several of the best on the market in 2019.
Our top pick is a runaway bestseller. It's the Outland Firebowl 893 - a 19-inch portable fire pit that has pretty much everything you could possibly want in a portable fireplace. It is CSA approved -- as are all Outland fire pits -- which means it has passed strict North American safety standards.
The Outland 893 is a solidly-built circular firebowl made of durable high-grade steel, and it has a sleek-looking black enamel finish. It measures 19” across and 11” high, which is the ideal size for about six or seven adults to comfortably sit around.
The 893’s heat output is an impressive 58,000 BTUs per hour – that’s plenty of heat. This model has manual ignition, which means you use a wand lighter (barbecue starter) to fire it up quickly, easily, and safely.
Here is what's included:
Also included is a simple cover and carry kit to protect your fire pit when it's not in use, although we recommend upgrading to an even better carry bag that’s designed to perfectly fit the 19” bowl. This weather-resistant carry bag by Outland completely encloses the fire pit in a zippered lining, providing added protection, while allowing you to keep your space neat and tidy.
The Outland Firebowl 893 is a great choice if you want an authentic fireplace experience. It kicks out a surprising amount of heat, and the flickering flames will mesmerize you and your guests for hours.
Enjoy the warm ambience on your patio or deck, or pack it up and take it with you on an outdoor adventure. It’s lightweight and portable, so you can easily take it with you when camping, tailgating, traveling in an RV, or perhaps heading to the beach.
>> Click here to see the Outland 893 at Amazon.
If you're looking for a bigger firebowl, check out the Outland 883. It's got a 24-inch diameter bowl, a height of 13 inches, and it weighs in at 34 pounds.
Outland Firebowl 870 (automatic ignition)
For the ultimate in convenience, you may want to consider the Outland Firebowl 870. You get everything that comes standard with the 893 (described above ) -- in the same 19-inch size -- with the added advantage of automatic ignition. With the built-in switch, your fire starts instantly and hassle-free every time. So you won’t need matches or a barbecue starter to ignite this one. Just push the button and enjoy.
Heininger 5995 Portable Propane Fire Pit
The Heininger 5995 is another 19-inch diameter fire pit that scores high marks. It weighs in at just 22 pounds, so it's light enough to easily relocate whenever the need arises. That means you can use it on your deck, porch, backyard, patio, or driveway -- wherever you want to enjoy a gathering of friends or family – or bring it along on an outdoor adventure.
Heininger supplies a 10-foot long hose with an attached regulator, so you can connect to your propane tank (not included) and keep it out of sight. Some competitors offer only short propane lines, making it virtually impossible to disguise the unsightly propane tank and keep it hidden.
This fire pit is capable of generating 58,000 BTUs per hour, so you can count on a generous amount of warmth and a consistently robust flame.
At 19” in diameter and nearly 12” high, the 5995 can be comfortably enjoyed by six to seven seated adults. It creates a beautiful evening ambiance and an ideal way to relax with your guests after dinner.
The Heininger 5995 is a sturdy fire pit with solid construction. Once you've started the flame, simply adjust it to get it to the right size for your enjoyment. It delivers a convenient way to enjoy an authentic fireplace experience -- without the usual hassles involved in burning wood. This propane powered fire pit is nearly maintenance-free and it comes ready to go right out of the box.
Here’s another portable fire bowl – this one with an antique copper finish.
Like the ones reviewed above, this one has a heat output of 58,000 BTU’s and comes with a 10-foot-long hose with a regulator attached, plus some lava rock. The ignition is automatic.
The bowl has a 21” diameter (same as the Outland 863 Cypress), sits 11” tall, and weighs in at 27 pounds. That’s a good size for 4-6 people to comfortably sit around.
Here’s all you need to do when it arrives: Connect the hose to the fire bowl, set the lava rocks inside the bowl, and then connect the other end of the hose to a standard 20-pound tank of propane. Oh, and then go get the graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate bars, and a few roasting sticks. Mmmmmmm!
>>Click here to see the Endless Summer Portable Fireplace at Amazon.
The Bottom Line: There’s nothing like enjoying the cozy comfort and warmth of an outdoor fire at home -- even better when your fire bowl is lightweight and portable, allowing you to pack it up and take it on outdoor adventures.
The brands and models featured above are all safe bets, because we’ve thoroughly researched them and can confidently recommend them. Just choose the one that best suits your needs and that you find the most attractive.
Product review by Lori and Douglas Freeman, updated March 2019.