Get more from your backyard with a fire table

The warmth a fire table gives can extend your backyard season from the cool evenings of spring, straight through until the first snow fall of winter. And, a fire table anchors a conversation area and provides a focal point in your yard. Finally, don’t forget another perk – roasting marshmallows!

Fire tables come in a variety of styles, like the Paradise Trail Bar Height Outdoor Dining Set with Fire Pit, or the Beachcroft – Outdoor Fire Pit Table. The most common fuel sources are natural gas, propane and wood. Let’s look at what you need to know before you buy one:

Natural Gas

Strong heat source and flames
Easy to light
Inexpensive compared to other fire pits
Convenient: a gas line is plumbed to your house
No smoke or ash residue
Very safe: readily-controlled flames
Available in a wide variety of design styles
Gas line hookup requires professional installation (although many new-build homes include this feature)

Propane

Easy to light
Convenient – propane is stored in a tank
No smoke or ash residue
Can be relocated as there is no gas line
Very safe – readily-controlled flames
Look for models with a natural gas conversion valve (All Leon’s propane fire pits come with one!)
Available in a wide variety of design styles
Less heat output than natural gas or wood
Fuel tank requires regular refills

Wood

Strong heat source and flames
Offers a traditional campfire experience
Check your local bylaws, as wood pits are banned in many urban municipalities;
Smoke can trigger asthma or allergic reactions in some people
Regular clean-up of ash and smoke residue
Potentially dangerous – flames are harder to control, flying sparks increase fire risk to property
Fuel source requires storage space