Fire Pits - Gas or Wood, What’s Right for your Family?
When deciding the layout or the optimal use of your outdoor living space, consider adding a fire pit to lengthen the amount of time you can enjoy your patio space. Fire pits add both an aesthetic and functional element that will take your patio space to the next level.
Picture this: the sun has set, night is falling and the temperatures are beginning to drop. You and your guests aren’t ready to call it quits, so you light up the fire pit, bring out the graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey bars for the kids. Everyone slides up a chair and gathers around the glow of your newly installed fire pit, and the stories (and maybe a glass of wine or two) begin to flow. This is what you imagined, what you dreamt of, when you first started considering installing that backyard patio space - friends and family all together, in person, connecting on a real level- not just on Twitter or Instagram.
Back to the present day. Before we can make that dream a reality, one thing we need to consider, and discuss, is whether a wood or a gas burning fire pit is a good fit for you and your lifestyle. In this article, we will lay out the pros and cons as best as we can to help you make your most educated decision.
First, the basics:
A wood burning fire pit can be a built in stone unit with special heat resistant blocks or inserts that can be integrated into your patio space. The wood burning pit uses natural, seasoned wood as a fuel source, to which you can add as much or as little wood to control the size of your flame. These wood burning pits also come in portable, non-integrated units such as the Solo Stove or Breo brands.
A built-in gas burning fire pit connects to the natural gas or liquid propane that runs to your home. They can also be fueled by the same liquid propane canisters you see fueling gas grills. These units typically have an automatic ignition, or can be match lit. They utilize media such as lava rock, fire glass, or even faux log sets rated for the high heat exposure. Gas burning units are also available in portable options that can be moved around.
Now, lets cover the pros and cons of each:
Wood Burning
Pros
- Lower Initial Cost
- Wood fuel, not fossil fuels
- Typically provides more heat
- Can be used to cook with accessories
Cons
- Takes time to build fire
- Must extinguish fire completely
- Smoke smell in clothes
- Must be 10'-15' from house
Gas Burning
Pros
- Quicker Start (push button or match)
- Immediately turns off (no need to extinguish)
- No Smoke - No Smell
- Easy for “short fires”
- Typically closer than 10’ to home or deck*
Cons
- Higher initial cost than wood units
- Typically less heat than a wood pit
- Higher fuel Cost than wood
- Requires a professional to connect
- Gas line
We hope that you are able to find the above information informative and helpful.
As always, feel free to call us at 610-436-1810 or fill out our contact form to set up a free consultation for your outdoor space. 
*Please contact your local municipality or fire marshal to determine the setback requirements for gas and/or wood burning fire pits from combustibles such as your home, deck, shed, garage, etc. CKC Landscaping takes no responsibility for a fire pit installed improperly or illegally based on the information provided in this post. Always use a licensed professional to install your fire pit, and to make any gas connections. Always consult with local code requirements when planning the location and type of fire pit features.