Is a Gas or Wood Fire Pit Right for Your Home?

If chestnuts roasting on an open fire is sounding pretty good right now, you’re probably in the market for a fire pit for your backyard. A fire pit will not only bring ambiance to your yard, but it will also expand the use of an outdoor space into the cooler months. The big question, though, is what kind of fire pit is right for you, gas or wood-burning?  

What’s the Difference Between a Gas Fire Pit and a Wood Fire Pit? 

Just like an indoor fireplace, when it comes to choosing your outdoor fire pit, you will need to decide between gas or wood.

Wood Fire Pits

• Can be simple, like a small brick pit or fancy, like an elaborate, custom stone fireplace

• Use wood for fuel

• Must be extinguished completely with water to ensure coals do not spark a fire 

Gas Fire Pits 

• Are operated via an electric switch and powered by natural gas, usually propane 

• Can be smaller with a tank that you refill and change yourself, or an extensive gas fire pit system built directly into your custom landscaping

Gas Fire Pit Pros & Cons

When it comes to convenience, gas fire pits definitely win out over a wood fire pit. Rather than toil over the kindling-to-newspaper ratio to get your fire going, you just flick a switch, and voila! Your fire is on. Gas fire pits aren’t all glory, though. 

Here are some of the key pros and cons of a gas fire pit. 

Pros

• Instant fire, often at the touch of a button, switch, or remote control

• Easy to operate

• Low to no cleanup

• Smoke-free, which can be a big perk for young kids or people with allergies or asthma

• No smoke smell on clothes or hair 

• Adds ambiance to your yard 

• Less fire danger (note there is always some fire danger with an open flame present) 

Cons

• More extensive installation process   

• Gas tanks need to be refilled 

• Generally cost more than wood fire pits

• Fires tend to be smaller 

• Not all gas fire pits are suitable for cooking

Wood Fire Pit Pros & Cons ​

While gas fire pits may win out in the convenience department, there is nothing like a wood fire pit. It has a nostalgic ambiance that can’t be beat. Overall they tend to be less expensive than installing a gas fire pit, too. 

Before you fan the flames, though, you’ll want to know some of the pros and cons of installing a wood fire pit. 

Pros

• Bigger fires

• More traditional ambiance (aka the crackling of the wood) 

• Inexpensive

• You can install a simple wood fire pit yourself 

• You can definitely cook over it (hello, s’mores!) 

Cons

• You need fire building skills (aka not instantaneous) 

• More cleanup (ash, coals)

• More safety issues, such as unattended embers starting fires

• The smell of smoke gets on clothing and hair

• Adding smoke to the atmosphere  

• You need space for storing and curing wood 

• Stacks of wood can attract rodents 

• A wood fire pit may require a permit, and burning wood fires may be prohibited on certain days 

Gas Fire Pit vs. Wood Fire Pit 

While the heat is still on in this competition, both gas fire pits and wood fire pits offer plenty of pros, with a few cons. If you’re still trying to decide, there are a few more factors to consider. 

Appearance​: Tie

There’s nothing quite like a fire to add atmosphere to your yard. Custom stonework or a portable pit with intricate metal patterns can up the wow factor for any wood fire. Gas pits tend to have some degree of custom work, giving them a unique, attractive appearance that will fit your style. 

Options & Customizations​: Tie 

From an outdoor fireplace with two-way glass to a bonfire pit surrounded by stones, there are many options for both types of fire pits. Gas fire pits are more frequently customized as they are often part of a larger landscape patio design. 

Durability​: Tie

If properly installed and maintained, both types of fire pits will last for many years. 

Gas fire pits that are made from long-lasting metals, such as steel, are especially durable if they are kept clean and covered during extreme weather or when not in use. 

Bricks can last 50 years or more, so a well-made outdoor brick fireplace or pit can last at least that long, though it will likely need repairing along the way. 

Price​: Wood Fire Pit 

The cost of installing a fire pit can vary greatly. A simple outdoor fire pit you build yourself can be as little as $200. On the higher end, custom stonework fireplaces can start at $8,000. 

Prefabricated gas fireplaces require professional installation and range from $750 to $6,000. Depending on the location of your fire pit, any additional gas pipelines can cost $25 per linear foot to install. 

Ease of Installation/DIY-ability: Wood Fire Pit 

A basic stone or brick fire pit is easy to build. Portable metal fire pits are even easier. Gas fire pits cost more and require professional installation due to the pipelines. 

Eco-Friendliness/Sustainability​: Gas Fire Pits

Wood-burning fire pits not only add smoke to the atmosphere, but they also require harvested wood, aka cut-down trees. However, there are more sustainable alternatives to wood, including recycled, compressed wood eco-logs, or even logs made from coffee grounds. 

Gas fire pits do not produce smoke and are usually very energy efficient. In addition, they are less of a fire hazard as they don’t produce sparks or embers.

ROI/Resale Value​: Gas Fire Pits 

If your fire pit is more than a simple hole in the ground, it can add value to your home. Fire pits using natural gas tend to add the most value, especially when combined with an outdoor patio or living space. 

Overall Winner: Tie

While wood fire pits have definite advantages in terms of cost and ease of installation, gas fire pits score points for being super convenient and more environmentally friendly. Overall, they both win for ambiance, adding value, and the ability to customize. 

Backyard Fire Pit Safety Tips 

Whether you go with a gas fire pit or a wood fire pit, before you install one on your property, you need to keep a few fire pit safety tips in mind.

• Check for local restrictions and regulations on where you can place your fire pit.

• Always make sure your fire pit is at least 10 feet away from any structure on your property, including landscaping. 

• Trim any nearby trees and landscaping.

• Clean up dried leaves and branches in the area before lighting your fire. 

• Always extinguish fires after use. 

• Keep small children and pets away from open flames unless closely supervised. 

• Be sure the fire pit walls are high enough to prevent small children from falling in, at least that children or pets could not fall in.

• Keep water and a fire extinguisher nearby. 

• Make sure your home’s sprinkler system is up to date.