Key takeaways
- Propane: No installation, and the table can move. You will swap or refill tanks, and propane can lose pressure in very cold weather, which shrinks the flame.
- Natural gas: Unlimited run time and lower fuel cost per hour in most areas, but the table becomes fixed in place, and the hookup should be done by a licensed gas fitter. Natural gas tables need a model or kit rated for natural gas – never connect a propane-only burner to a natural gas line.
The best gas fire tables for most patios are the Outland Living Granville if you want a coffee-table-height propane table at a mid-range price, and The Outdoor GreatRoom Company’s Stonefire or Cedar Ridge if you want higher output, a natural gas option and a heavier, longer-lasting build. Before choosing, it helps to know that a gas fire table is mainly about ambiance and a little warmth – the numbers that matter are burner BTUs, table height, tank storage, and the clearance your deck or covered patio needs.
The best picks by situation
Outland Living Granville – best value propane fire table
The Granville is a rectangular, coffee-table-height table (about 44″ x 32″ x 23″) with a 50,000 BTU burner, push-button ignition and a cabinet that hides a standard 20 lb propane tank. It weighs roughly 96 lb, so two people can reposition it. A natural gas conversion kit is sold separately. The included lava rock is basic, and a glass wind guard is an add-on worth buying if your patio is breezy. Expect to pay roughly $400–$600.
The Outdoor GreatRoom Company Stonefire – best for small patios
The Stonefire is a compact 32″ round table with a 60,000 BTU Crystal Fire burner, powder-coated aluminum construction and hidden tank storage. Aluminum does not rust the way painted steel does, which matters in humid and coastal climates. The burner is designed to run on either propane or natural gas. It typically sells in the $1,500–$2,200 range.
The Outdoor GreatRoom Company Cedar Ridge – best for large seating areas
Cedar Ridge is a long rectangular table, over five feet in length, with a burner rated around 80,000 BTUs. That longer flame line lets six to eight people sit around it, and the wide ledge works as a real coffee table for plates and drinks. Prices usually run from about $2,000 to over $3,000 depending on size and finish.
Real Flame and Elementi – best concrete and stone looks
If you want a modern concrete look, Real Flame and Elementi both make gas fire tables in lightweight concrete and cast-stone finishes. They tend to sit between Outland Living and Outdoor GreatRoom on price, roughly $700–$2,000. Check whether the propane tank fits inside the base or needs a separate tank-cover side table; that detail differs between models.
Not a table, but worth knowing: Solo Stove Infinity Flame
If you mainly want a round propane fire feature rather than a table surface, Solo Stove’s Infinity Flame is a gas fire pit with up to about 72,000 BTU. It does not offer the wide ledge for drinks that defines a fire table, so it suits people who plan to sit around it rather than eat at it.
Spec comparison
| Model | Shape / size | Burner | Fuel | Tank hidden inside? | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outland Living Granville | Rectangle, ~44″ x 32″ x 23″ | 50,000 BTU | Propane (NG kit available) | Yes, 20 lb | $400–$600 |
| Outdoor GreatRoom Stonefire | 32″ round | 60,000 BTU | Propane or natural gas | Yes | $1,500–$2,200 |
| Outdoor GreatRoom Cedar Ridge | Rectangle, 5 ft+ | ~80,000 BTU | Propane or natural gas | Yes | $2,000–$3,000+ |
| Real Flame / Elementi (typical) | Round, square or linear | 40,000–55,000 BTU | Mostly propane | Varies by model | $700–$2,000 |
How long a propane tank lasts: a worked example
A full 20 lb propane tank holds about 430,000 BTU of energy (propane carries roughly 21,500 BTU per pound). Divide by the burner rating to get run time at full flame:
| Burner rating | Run time at full flame | Run time at roughly half flame |
|---|---|---|
| 40,000 BTU | ~10.8 hours | ~20 hours |
| 50,000 BTU | ~8.6 hours | ~17 hours |
| 60,000 BTU | ~7.2 hours | ~14 hours |
| 80,000 BTU | ~5.4 hours | ~11 hours |
If you use the table two evenings a week for three hours on a high flame, a 60,000 BTU table empties a 20 lb tank roughly every week and a half. That is the point where a natural gas line, if your home has one, starts to pay for itself in convenience. A professional gas line run to a patio commonly costs several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars depending on distance.
Propane vs natural gas
- Propane: No installation, and the table can move. You will swap or refill tanks, and propane can lose pressure in very cold weather, which shrinks the flame.
- Natural gas: Unlimited run time and lower fuel cost per hour in most areas, but the table becomes fixed in place, and the hookup should be done by a licensed gas fitter. Natural gas tables need a model or kit rated for natural gas – never connect a propane-only burner to a natural gas line.
Size and clearance planning
| Measurement | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Coffee-table height | 20–25″ (for lounge seating) |
| Chat height | ~25–28″ (for deep patio chairs) |
| Dining height | ~30″ (eat at the table) |
| Space between table edge and seats | 18–24″ to pass and set drinks |
| Overhead clearance | Follow the manual; many require open sky or well over 7 ft to a non-combustible ceiling |
| Distance from house walls and railings | Often 2–3 ft minimum; check the specific manual |
A 32″ round table fits a 10 x 10 ft patio with four chairs. A five-foot linear table needs roughly 12 x 14 ft to seat six comfortably with walkways. Covered porches and screened rooms are a separate question: many fire tables are certified for outdoor use only, so read the clearance and ventilation requirements before placing one under a roof.
How much heat to expect
Gas fire tables warm hands and the front of your legs within about three to four feet. On a 50°F evening that feels pleasant; at freezing temperatures, even an 80,000 BTU table will not keep a group warm the way a wood fire or a patio heater does. If heat is your priority, pair the table with a dedicated patio heater rather than buying a bigger burner.
What wears first
- Igniters: Push-button spark igniters are the most common failure. Keep the burner covered when not in use so rainwater does not sit in the pan.
- Painted steel bodies: They rust at seams and screw holes first. A fitted cover and moving the table off grass or soil extends life considerably; aluminum bodies avoid most of this.
- Lava rock and fire glass: Lava rock crumbles over time and fire glass can discolor with soot if the air mixture is off. Both are cheap to replace.
- Hoses and regulators: Check for cracks every season by brushing soapy water on connections – bubbles mean a leak.
Bottom line
For most patios, a 50,000–60,000 BTU table at coffee-table height is the right size: the Outland Living Granville delivers that at a modest price, while the Outdoor GreatRoom Stonefire and Cedar Ridge justify their cost with aluminum construction, higher output and dual-fuel burners. Measure your seating area, decide between propane portability and natural gas convenience, and budget for a wind guard and cover from day one.
