Are Gas Fire Pits Better Than Wood? The Complete Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Fire Pit
Choosing between a gas fire pit and a wood-burning fire pit is one of the most important decisions you'll make when creating your outdoor living space. Both options offer unique benefits and drawbacks that can significantly impact your backyard experience. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home.
Key Takeaways
Gas Fire Pits Are Better For:
- Convenience and ease of use
- Low maintenance requirements
- Smoke-free environments
- Proximity to your home
- Areas with air quality concerns or burning restrictions
Wood Fire Pits Are Better For:
- Traditional campfire experience
- Higher heat output
- Cooking and roasting marshmallows
- Lower initial costs
- Natural, rustic ambience
Bottom Line: Gas fire pits offer more convenience, cleaner burning, and easier maintenance, making them ideal for modern outdoor spaces close to your home. Wood fire pits provide authentic campfire charm, higher heat, and better cooking capabilities, perfect for those who enjoy the traditional fire-building experience.
Table of Contents
- Are Gas Fire Pits Better Than Wood? Understanding the Key Differences
- Understanding the Basics
- Cost Comparison
- Convenience and Ease of Use
- Maintenance Requirements
- Environmental Impact
- Safety Considerations
- Heat Output and Performance
- Ambiance and Experience
- Installation Requirements
- Making Your Decision
- The Verdict: Which Is Better?
- Final Thoughts
Are Gas Fire Pits Better Than Wood? Understanding the Key Differences
When deciding between gas and wood fire pits, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Gas fire pits offer superior convenience, cleaner burning, and minimal maintenance, while wood fire pits provide authentic ambience, higher heat output, and a traditional campfire experience. The "better" option depends entirely on your lifestyle, budget, and what matters most to you in an outdoor fire feature. Let's explore the key differences to help you make the right choice.
Understanding the Basics
What Are Gas Fire Pits?
Gas fire pits are modern outdoor heating features that run on either natural gas or propane. They ignite with the simple flip of a switch or turn of a knob, creating instant flames without the need for wood, kindling, or fire-building skills. These fire pits produce a clean, controllable flame that can be adjusted to your desired height and heat level.
What Are Wood Fire Pits?
Wood-burning fire pits are the traditional option that uses firewood logs as fuel. They require manual fire-building skills, including arranging kindling, lighting the fire, and continuously adding wood to maintain the flames. These fire pits create the classic campfire experience, complete with crackling sounds, smoky aroma, and dancing flames.
Cost Comparison
Initial Investment
Gas Fire Pits:
- Materials: $400 - $3,000+
- Installation: $500 - $800 (for natural gas line)
- Total initial cost: $900 - $3,800
- Higher upfront investment required
Wood Fire Pits:
- Materials: $500 - $1,300
- Installation: Lower cost, often DIY-friendly
- Total initial cost: $500 - $1,500
- More budget-friendly initial purchase
Ongoing Fuel Costs
Gas fire pits require regular propane tank refills or a natural gas connection, with costs varying by usage frequency. Wood fire pits need a continuous supply of firewood, which can be cheaper if you have access to free or low-cost wood sources. However, consider the time investment of ordering, stacking, seasoning, and carrying wood throughout the year.
Convenience and Ease of Use
Gas Fire Pits Win on Convenience
Gas fire pits are the clear winner when it comes to ease of use. Starting your fire is as simple as:
- Turn the gas valve
- Press the ignition button or use a long lighter
- Adjust the flame to your desired height
- Enjoy instant warmth
There's no need to gather materials, build a fire structure, or wait for the flames to grow. When you're done, simply turn off the gas valve and walk away.
Wood Fire Pits Require More Effort
Wood-burning fire pits demand more involvement:
- Gather or purchase dry firewood
- Prepare kindling and fire-starting materials
- Stack wood properly in the pit
- Light and tend the fire
- Continuously add logs to maintain the flame
- Ensure the fire is completely extinguished when finished
While this process requires more work, many people find joy and satisfaction in the fire-building ritual itself.
Maintenance Requirements
Gas Fire Pits: Minimal Upkeep
Gas fire pits are remarkably low-maintenance. Your regular care routine includes:
- Occasional wiping down of the exterior
- Periodic inspection of gas lines for leaks or blockages
- Replacing propane tanks as needed
- Covering the unit when not in use
Since gas burns cleanly, there's no ash, soot, or creosote to clean out after each use.
Wood Fire Pits: Regular Cleaning Required
Wood-burning fire pits require consistent maintenance:
- Shovelling out ashes and soot after every use
- Removing creosote buildup (a tar-like substance that can be harmful)
- Ensuring all embers are completely extinguished
- Regular deep cleaning to prevent fire hazards
- Storage and management of firewood supplies
The maintenance commitment is significantly higher, requiring time and effort after each fire.
Environmental Impact
The Emissions Debate
Gas Fire Pits:
- Produce 99% fewer emissions than wood at the point of combustion
- Burn cleanly with minimal smoke or particulate pollution
- Natural gas is not a renewable resource
- Better for air quality and neighbours
- Ideal for those with asthma or respiratory sensitivities
Wood Fire Pits:
- Emit approximately 28+ pounds of emissions per use
- Produce smoke that contributes to air pollution
- Wood is a renewable resource when sourced sustainably
- Can be eco-friendly when using recycled wood, fallen branches, or yard debris
- Smoke can be problematic for air quality and health
The environmental choice isn't clear-cut. Gas burns cleaner but relies on non-renewable fossil fuels. Wood is renewable, but creates more immediate air pollution. Your personal environmental priorities will guide this decision.
Safety Considerations
Gas Fire Pits: Controlled and Contained
Gas fire pits are generally considered safer because:
- Flames are controlled and predictable
- No flying sparks or embers
- Can be placed within 25 feet of structures (classified as an appliance)
- Suitable for use on decks with proper precautions
- Easy shut-off in emergencies
- Reduced fire spread risk
Safety note: Gas lines must be professionally installed and regularly inspected for leaks to prevent dangerous situations.
Wood Fire Pits: Require More Vigilance
Wood-burning fire pits present additional safety challenges:
- Flying sparks and embers can ignite nearby materials
- Must be placed at least 7 feet from structures and furniture
- Not recommended for use on wooden decks
- Require constant monitoring, especially in windy conditions
- Must be completely extinguished after each use
- Fire spark screens are highly recommended
In dry climates or during burning bans, gas fire pits may be permitted while wood-burning options are restricted.
Heat Output and Performance
Wood Fire Pits: More Heat
Wood-burning fire pits are the champions of heat production. They can generate over 100,000 BTUs, creating intense warmth perfect for chilly nights. This higher heat output makes them excellent for:
- Warming larger outdoor spaces
- Extended outdoor gatherings in cold weather
- Cooking hot dogs, marshmallows, and campfire meals
Gas Fire Pits: Steady and Adjustable
Gas fire pits provide moderate, controllable heat. While they don't reach the intensity of wood fires, they offer:
- Consistent, adjustable flame height
- Steady heat output without constant tending
- Adequate warmth for most social gatherings
- Flames up to 2 feet high, even in smaller models
The heat level depends on burner size and burn media selection, but it won't get "super hot" compared to roaring wood fires.
Ambiance and Experience
Wood Fire Pits: Traditional Charm
For many people, nothing compares to the authentic campfire experience of a wood-burning fire pit:
- Crackling sounds of burning logs
- Distinctive smoky aroma
- Nostalgic, romantic atmosphere
- The satisfaction of building and tending your own fire
- True camping experience in your backyard
Gas Fire Pits: Modern Elegance
Gas fire pits offer their own appeal:
- Clean, smoke-free environment
- Sleek, contemporary designs
- No smoky smell on clothes or hair
- Often incorporate table-top designs for functionality
- Can serve as coffee tables when not lit
- Dancing orange flames without the mess
You get the visual warmth and ambient glow without smoke swirling around you, making conversation and dining more comfortable.
Installation Requirements
Gas Fire Pits: Professional Installation Often Needed
Installing a gas fire pit typically requires:
- Professional gas line extension ($20 per foot for natural gas)
- Proper connection to propane tank (easier for DIY)
- Longer installation timeline
- Technical expertise for safety
- Potentially higher labor costs
However, once installed, there's no ongoing installation work needed.
Wood Fire Pits: DIY-Friendly
Wood-burning fire pits are often simpler to install:
- Can be DIY projects (though professional installation recommended for safety)
- No gas lines to run
- Can be completed in 50-75% less time than gas installations
- More portable options available
- Easier to relocate if needed
Making Your Decision
Choose a Gas Fire Pit If You:
✓ Want convenience and instant fires
✓ Prefer low-maintenance outdoor features
✓ Live close to your fire pit location
✓ Have respiratory issues or sensitivity to smoke
✓ Face burning restrictions or live in dry climates
✓ Want to use your fire pit on or near a deck
✓ Prefer a clean, modern aesthetic
✓ Don't want to deal with ash and wood storage
Choose a Wood Fire Pit If You:
✓ Love the traditional campfire experience
✓ Want maximum heat output
✓ Enjoy building and tending fires
✓ Plan to cook over your fire pit
✓ Have access to affordable or free firewood
✓ Have ample storage space for wood
✓ Want lower upfront costs
✓ Appreciate natural, rustic ambience
Consider Your Specific Situation
Location Matters: If your house is downstream of the wind, smoke from a wood fire pit will blow toward open windows and doors. Gas fire pits are ideal near your home, while wood-burning options work better in remote corners of your property.
Local Availability: Do you have easy access to natural gas or propane? Is firewood readily available in your area? Consider which fuel source is most convenient for your location.
Frequency of Use: If you'll use your fire pit frequently, consider whether you want to invest time building fires each time or prefer the instant-on convenience of gas.
Lifestyle Preferences: Some people find building fires therapeutic and enjoyable, while others view it as a chore. Be honest about which camp you fall into.
The Verdict: Which Is Better?
The truth is, neither gas nor wood fire pits are universally "better"—the right choice depends entirely on your priorities, lifestyle, and outdoor space.
Gas fire pits excel in convenience, cleanliness, and low maintenance, making them ideal for modern homeowners who want effortless outdoor ambience near their homes. They're the practical choice for those with busy lifestyles, respiratory concerns, or strict local regulations.
Wood fire pits shine when it comes to authenticity, heat output, and the traditional campfire experience. They're perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy the ritual of fire-building and want the full sensory experience of crackling flames and smoky aroma.
Many homeowners actually choose to have both: a convenient gas fire pit near the house for casual evenings, and a wood-burning fire pit in a distant part of the property for weekend gatherings and camping-style experiences.
Final Thoughts
Creating the perfect outdoor living space means choosing fire features that match your lifestyle. Take time to consider your priorities around convenience, maintenance, cost, ambience, and environmental impact. Think about how you'll actually use your fire pit—will it be a daily gathering spot or an occasional weekend treat?
Visit local showrooms to see both types in person, talk to friends and neighbours about their experiences, and imagine which option will bring you more joy on those cool evenings outdoors. Whatever you choose, a fire pit will transform your backyard into a warm, inviting space for making memories with family and friends.
Ready to add warmth and ambience to your outdoor space? The perfect fire pit is waiting for you—whether it runs on gas or good old-fashioned firewood.