Propane pits are judged on a different promise from wood pits: not atmosphere, but ease. This ranking therefore weights instant lighting, zero ash, included kit and packability ahead of flame picture, and it is honest that a gas flame never crackles like wood. Size decides the rest: a 24 in bowl for a patio, a 19 in bowl for a campsite or a small patio.
The Best Propane Fire Pits (2027)
Propane fire pits for 2027: instant, ash-free firebowls for patios, campsites and fire-ban areas, ranked on size and kit.
The short answer
Buy the Outland Living Mega 883 for a patio: a 24 in bowl at a maker-stated 58,000 BTU with a cover included. Buy the Outland Deluxe 893 for camping or an RV: the same heat rating in a 19 in bowl, with a carry kit, lava rock and a tank stabilizer ring. Both need a propane tank, which is the one bulky item in either purchase.
Our top picks at a glance
- Outland Living Firebowl Mega 883 Propane Fire PitThe big propane bowl: a 24 in firebowl with serious heat and no ash to clean.Best propane pit for patios
- Outland Living Firebowl Deluxe 893 Propane Fire PitThe travelling propane bowl: 19 in, with a cover, a carry kit and lava rock in the box.Best propane pit for camping
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Diameter | Fuel | Heat output | Model | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Outland Living Firebowl Mega 883 Propane Fire Pit | Best propane pit for patios | 24 in | Propane | 58,000 BTU (maker-stated) | 883 Mega | UV and weather resistant cover |
| 2 | Outland Living Firebowl Deluxe 893 Propane Fire Pit | Best propane pit for camping | 19 in | Propane | 58,000 BTU (maker-stated) | 893 Deluxe | Cover, carry kit, lava rock set, hose, regulator, tank stabilizer ring |
Best propane pit for patios
Outland Living Firebowl Mega 883 Propane Fire Pit
The big propane bowl: a 24 in firebowl with serious heat and no ash to clean.
Strengths
- 24 in diameter with a maker-stated 58,000 BTU output, the same heat rating as the smaller Outland bowls
- Propane flame lights with a knob and dies the same way, with no ash, sparks or wood storage
- UV and weather resistant cover included for outdoor storage
- A round bowl shape lets chairs gather evenly around the flame
Limitations
- Needs a propane tank, which is a separate purchase and a separate thing to store
- The flame is a gas flame, so it lacks the crackle, wood smell and ember glow of a wood fire
- Heat output depends on tank pressure and wind, and a breeze thins the flame noticeably
What owners report
Most praised
- Owners say the instant flame is the whole point, with fires starting in minutes on cold evenings
- Campers in fire-ban areas like that a propane bowl is often permitted where wood fires are not
- Several owners report the bowl becoming the nightly routine because there is nothing to clean afterward
Common complaints
- Some owners find the gas flame less atmospheric than wood, and miss the crackle
- A few owners note the hose and tank placement takes planning so nobody trips over the line
- Owners say wind steals heat fast, and the bowl warms a close circle rather than a whole patio
| Diameter | 24 in |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Propane |
| Heat output | 58,000 BTU (maker-stated) |
| Model | 883 Mega |
| Includes | UV and weather resistant cover |
| Use | Patio, backyard, camping where propane is permitted |
Best for: Patio owners and fire-ban areas where a clean, instant propane flame beats a wood fire.
Skip if: You love the crackle and smell of wood; propane gives warmth and light, not a campfire.
Best propane pit for camping
Outland Living Firebowl Deluxe 893 Propane Fire Pit
The travelling propane bowl: 19 in, with a cover, a carry kit and lava rock in the box.
Strengths
- 19 in diameter with the same maker-stated 58,000 BTU rating as the Mega, in a smaller bowl
- Cover and carry kit included, plus a natural lava rock set for the burner bed
- Pre-attached hose and regulator plus a propane tank stabilizer ring in the box
- No assembly is needed per the listing, so it works the evening it arrives
Limitations
- Smaller bowl means a smaller flame picture and a tighter heat circle than the Mega
- Still needs a propane tank, and the tank is the bulky part of any trip
- Gas flame gives no wood crackle and no ember bed to cook over directly
What owners report
Most praised
- RVers say the carry kit is what earns its keep, because the bowl actually travels instead of staying home
- Owners like the no-assembly arrival, with the bowl ready for a fire the same evening
- Several owners report the lava rock bed giving the flame a fuller, more natural look than a bare burner
Common complaints
- Some owners find the 19 in bowl small once a group gathers around it
- A few owners note the carry bag fills up fast once the hose and rocks are packed in
- Owners say the flame picture still reads as gas, which matters to buyers who wanted a campfire look
| Diameter | 19 in |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Propane |
| Heat output | 58,000 BTU (maker-stated) |
| Model | 893 Deluxe |
| Includes | Cover, carry kit, lava rock set, hose, regulator, tank stabilizer ring |
| Assembly | No assembly required, per listing |
Best for: Campers, RVers and small patios who want propane warmth in a packable bowl.
Skip if: You need to heat a large patio; the 19 in bowl is a close-circle fire, not a yard heater.
Questions, answered
Are propane fire pits allowed during fire bans?
Often, but not always. Many fire bans permit propane appliances with a shutoff valve while banning open wood fires, but rules vary by area, season and land manager. Always check the current local rule before lighting any fire outdoors.
How long does a propane tank last on a fire pit?
It depends on flame height, wind and tank size, and the maker rating is a maximum, not a promise. A standard 20 lb tank typically runs a fire pit for several evenings of moderate use, but high flames in wind use gas much faster. Keep a spare tank if the pit is a nightly habit.
Do propane fire pits give off much heat?
They give useful heat to a close circle, especially with a wind guard or a sheltered patio. They do not throw heat as far as a large wood fire, and wind is their biggest enemy. Sit close, shelter the flame, and treat them as gathering warmth rather than yard heating.
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