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AMERICAN FYRE DESIGNS
Cosmopolitan 54" Rectangle Concrete Fire Pit Table | AFD
$3,139.20
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How to Choose a Gas Fire Pit
A gas fire pit gives you the glow and warmth of a real flame with none of the work. You skip the smoke, sparks, and ash of wood, and you control the fire instantly — full flame for a chilly evening, low ember for after dinner. The choices below come down to three things: your fuel, your space, and the look you want to live with for the next ten years.
Natural Gas vs. Propane
Propane (LP) pits run off a standard 20 lb tank that hides inside the base — nothing to plumb, so the pit is portable and ready the day it arrives. A typical tank gives roughly 4 to 8 hours of burn depending on BTU output. Natural gas (NG) pits connect to a permanent gas line, so you never refill a tank or watch the flame fade mid-evening, but they need a plumber and the pit stays put. Many of our pits ship propane-ready and can be converted to natural gas with a kit — check each product page for the conversion option before you buy.
BTUs and Real-World Heat
BTU (British Thermal Units) measures how much heat and flame a burner produces. Most quality gas fire pits land between 40,000 and 65,000 BTUs for propane and up to 90,000+ BTUs for natural gas tables. Higher BTUs mean a taller, warmer flame and faster fuel use; lower BTUs sip fuel and suit smaller or covered patios. For a 4-to-6-person seating circle on an open patio, 50,000–65,000 BTUs is the sweet spot.
Materials That Survive the Seasons
- GFRC concrete — glass-fiber reinforced concrete. Heavy, modern, and weatherproof; the most popular look for fire tables.
- Cast aluminum — rust-proof and surprisingly light, easy to reposition on a deck.
- Stainless steel & Corten (weathering) steel — stainless stays bright; Corten develops a protective rust-tone patina by design.
- Hammered copper — a warm, premium finish that ages gracefully.
Sizes, Shapes & Fire Media
Fire tables run from compact 28–34" rounds for bistro corners up to 48–60" rectangles and squares that double as a coffee or dining-height surface (dining height is roughly 28–30"; chat/coffee height around 18–24"). The burner sits under a bed of lava rock or tempered fire glass — fire glass throws more sparkle, lava rock reads more natural. Match-lit burners are the simplest; electronic ignition (push-button or remote) adds convenience and a flame-sensing safety shutoff.
What to Measure & Clearances
Before ordering, measure the open footprint where the pit will sit and leave generous walking room around the seating circle. Keep the flame well clear of overhead structures, railings, and walls — most manufacturers specify a minimum vertical clearance to combustibles (commonly several feet). Fire glass and burners are not interchangeable between propane and natural gas without the correct orifice, so confirm your fuel before checkout. Look for CSA-certified burner systems — every pit we list meets that standard.
Who These Are For
Homeowners who want a true centerpiece for the patio without the chores of firewood, and designers building an outdoor room that has to look as good unlit by day as it does burning at night. If you're unsure which fuel or size fits your space, our team will review your patio dimensions and gas setup before you order.