There is something strangely dual-natured about a good fire pit.
On the one hand, they are exceptionally elegant and sophisticated and lend your patio an air of luxury and beauty that few other fixtures can.
On the other hand, they are purely primal in their appeal, offering an atmosphere of earthy primitivism that touches something deep inside each of us.
They are also, for these very reasons and many more, a great way to heat your patio or wooden deck. They add warmth and beauty to parties, cookouts, or any get-together, and provide a great focal point and gathering point for lively conversation, music, and singing, and for telling the tale of that day’s mammoth hunt.
Indeed, if you are alone or with your best friends, there is nothing like sitting out on your deck and staring into a dancing fire while the day’s troubles melt away and the night’s stars spin above.
Is a Fire Pit safe to use on a Wooden Deck?
But how can you ensure that you get a good fire pit and one that is safe to use on the wooden deck?
Many are not—for all of their appeals, chimineas, for example, are not safe to use on a wooden deck or, for that matter, too close to a house or any other structure. Have you ever seen a storm of sparks flying out of a chiminea’s chimney?
And many modern fire pits, like those designed for a campsite, may get too hot to set on wood or may tip over too easily – and that can lead to disaster!
But never fear! Our buyer’s guide – Fire Pits for your Wooden Deck: The Ultimate Guide – is here to save the day!
Can a fire pit heat a deck or a patio?
In addition to safety, we will also look at performance, material and build quality, design, and other factors, and try to answer some basic questions, including:
Will a fire pit effectively heat my wooden deck?
And – spoiler alert – yes, a fire pit can be a wonderfully effective and powerful heater and can keep you, your family and friends, and your outdoor space warm and cozy even in cold weather – and do so safely and with real style and beauty.
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Click here to get a FREE Cheat-SheatWhat is the best fire pit for my wooden deck?
All of our choices in this Ultimate Guide to Fire Pits for Wooden Decks will be based on our own experience, the experiences and feedback of our friends and colleagues, as well as reviews from actual verified customers.
When you are ready to take the plunge and purchase a fire pit for your own deck, we know that you will never look back – there is nothing like the warmth, beauty, and joy a fire pit brings, and you will always be happy to have it.
And, if you choose any fire pit from our list you’ll be even happier since you will be getting the best performance, quality, safety, and value possible for your budget and your particular needs.
Best Propane Fire Pit for Wooden Decks: Modeno Nantucket Outdoor Propane Fire Pit
Not an inexpensive fire pit, the Moreno Nantucket is nonetheless much less expensive than comparable fire bowls from other manufacturers and offers the same extremely high-quality materials and craftsmanship, fit, finish and functionality as any of them.
The Moreno Nantucket fir pit is made of lightweight yet but highly durable glass-fibre reinforced concrete, and features a stainless steel burner and burn pan.
The Nantucket includes a propane hose and regulator, a water-resistant cover and lava rocks – everything you need except for a propane tank.
This Moreno fire bowl is not just completely safe for wooden decks but is CSA certified as well, meaning it is safe and legal to use even during most fire bans.
The Moreno Nantucket fire pit has automatic ignition and adjustable flame level, and with a full 40,000 BTU output, it can effectively heat a large area, even outdoors.
An elegant, high-class product, the Modeno Nantucket Outdoor Propane Fire Pit is as well built and reliable as it is gorgeous, and is our choice for best propane fire pit for wooden decks this year.
And for an even more alluring experience, we recommend Hiland Fire Glass – a spectacularly beautiful filler to take the place of the Nantucket’s lava rocks – especially in the wonderful Bahama Blend.
Features & Specifications
- 26.6 Inch Propane Fire Bowl
- 40,000 BTU Output
- Adjustable Flame Height
- Auto-Ignition
- Glass-Fiber Reinforced Concrete
- CSA Approved
Best Budget Propane Fire Pit: Outland Cypress Firebowl Propane Fire Pit
More functional in look than the beautiful Moreno Nantucket listed above, this next model in our list of best fire pits for wooden decks – the Outland Cypress Firebowl – may actually be more functional as well.
With enamel finished steel construction, the Outland Cypress is just as stable and solid on your deck, but is smaller, lighter and designed to be more easily moved around. And, with its full CSA approval, it can be used during most fire bans, making it a perfect dual-use fire pit – both for your deck and for your campsite!
Even with its smaller size, the Outland fire pit still puts our 58,000 BTUs – plenty for most decks and parties, and great too for campsites in even fairly cold conditions.
And, to be fair, the Cypress is quite attractive in its own right, with its decorative fire band and the overall high level of fit and finish. It comes complete with regulator, propane hose and lava rocks.
Outland Living is fast becoming one of the best known and most respected names in outdoor heating, and with products like the Outland Cypress Firebowl Propane Fire Pit, it is easy to understand why. With its extremely high performance, versatility and quality for the money, its is our choice for best budget propane fire pit for wooden decks in 2023 and is also our choice for best propane fire pit for camping.
We recommend the Hiland Fire Glass for this Outland Firebowl fire pit as well, the black glass set complementing its somewhat spartan appearance especially well.
Features & Specifications
- 19 Inch Propane Fire Bowl
- 56,000 BTU Output
- Adjustable Flame Height
- Auto-Ignition
- Enamel Finish Steel Construction
- Stainless Steel Burner
- CSA Approved
Best Wood Burning Fire Pit: Tiki Brand 25 Inch Stainless Steel Low Smoke Fire Pit
A strikingly attractive fire pit, the Tiki Brand fire pit is a well made and well-engineered product as well.
Designed for optimal inner air flow, the Tiki fire pit burns wood more thoroughly, leaves less ash and produces less smoke than other fire pits in this class, making for nicer fires, easier cleanup and lower fuel costs.
The Tiki 25 inch wood burning fire pit is made from heavy gauge stainless steel, powder finished on outside surfaces for extra durability. But to make even more certain that it will last and last, you will get free all-weather cover with your purchase.
You’ll also get an instant start Wood Pack – although the Tiki wood pit works perfectly with everyday firewood – and a deck-safe stand.
If you are using traditional firewood, we have found that the Fatwood Kindling Sticks – all organic and natural – make things much easier.
Simple, attractive and extremely well built, the Tiki Brand 25 Inch Stainless Steel Low Smoke Fire Pit lets you enjoy a real open fire safely and easily, and without all of the smoke or messy cleanup, and is our choice for best wood-burning fire pit for wood decks this year.
Features & Specifications
- 25 Inch Wood Burning Fire Bowl
- Patent Pending Internal Air Flow System
- 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Construction
- Weather Proof Powder Coated Exterior
- Removable Ash Pan
- Includes Weatherproof Cover, Wood Pack, and Deck Safe Stand
Best Budget Wood Burning Fire Pit: Kingso 22 Inch Outdoor Steel Fire Pit Bowl
Simple and elegant, the Kingso 22 inch fire bowl looks far more expensive than it really is.
Nor will the construction or material quality give it away – made from heavy gauge steel with a tough black heat resistant finish, the Kingso fire pit is sturdy and durable.
And yet it is quite lightweight – at less than six pounds, the Kingso can be easily moved around and doubles as a nice fire pit and heater for camping.
With a mesh cover for containing sparks and ash, the Kingso fire pit is even safer than most for use on a wooden deck and close to the house and is neat and easy to clean up after.
With a built-in wood grate and an included poker, the Kingso fire bowl has everything you need to enjoy a beautiful open fire on your patio. And while it should last for many years, we also recommend a good cover for storage – even if you are keeping the fire pit indoors between uses. We like the Classic Accessories Water-Resistant Round Fire Pit Cover.
And, as with the Tiki Brand fire pit reviewed above, we have found that the Fatwood Kindling Sticks – all organic and natural – make lighting firewood much easier!
A basic, effective and simply beautiful design couples with nice engineering and real utility and a ridiculously low price to make the Kingso 22 Inch Outdoor Steel Fire Pit Bowl our choice for best budget wood burning fire pit for wood decks this year.
Features & Specifications
- 22 Inch Wood Burning Fire Bowl
- Heavy Duty Steel Construction
- Black Heat Resistant Finish
- Includes Mesh Screen Cover, Poker and Built-In Wood Grate
Best Fire Table: American Hearth Carol Rose Linear Fire Pit Table
It is hard to imagine a more beautiful or better quality fire pit than the next item in our 2023 buyer’s guide and review of best fire pits for wooden decks – the American Hearth Carol Rose 48 inch fire pit table insert.
Made of marine-grade stainless steel, the Carol Rose will keep you warm for many years, and with the legendary American Hearth design and engineering, it will do so with complete reliability.
But more than its admittedly best in class quality and design, what really strikes us about this American Hearth linear fire pit is its elegant, luxurious look and feel.
The American Hearth fire table is not an either-or proposition – that is, you don’t need to turn the fire off and put a cover on to use your table. You, your family and friends can enjoy dinner or drinks at the table while the linear fire pit along the middle keeps you warm.
And the LED lights show will provide an elegant and beautiful viewing experience to enhance the wonderful warmth and companionship.
The Carol Rose 48 inch fire pit uses natural gas, so you may need professional installation, and you will need to have a table custom made or fitted for the insert to fit into. This is, after all, a different level of quality, and products in this range tend to be intended for architects, professional contractors and designers.
And so it is with American Hearth products, which, as with this linear fire pit, are just the fire pit inserts themselves, and need to be fitted into an appropriate receptacle – a wall, an inbuilt counter or, in this case, a custom-designed deck table.
We have to say, though, that the not insubstantial initial investment, and even any added expense, will be well worth it when you have such a spectacular, warm and welcoming piece waiting on your deck, and know that it will be there, work well and look beautiful for many years to come.
True luxury, the very best engineering, material quality and craftsmanship, beauty and especially effective heating, all and more come together to make the American Hearth Carol Rose Linear Fire Pit our choice for best fire table for wooden decks, and the best overall fire pit for wood decks currently available.
Features & Specifications
- 48 Inch Linear Natural Gas Fire Pit Insert
- 55,000 BTU Output
- Adjustable Flame Height
- Electronic Ignition
- Marine Grade Stainless Steel
- Requires Custom Built or Fitted Table – fire pit insert only
For an even more opulent presentation and even more heat, you can opt for the larger 60 inches Carol Rose Linear Fire Pit.
Final Thoughts: What are the Advantages of a Fire Pit for my Wood Deck?
Actually, while we consider this a good and valid question, along with ones like “why should I buy a fire pit for my wood deck” or “is a fire pit a good idea for wood decks,” the answer seems fairly obvious – or at least it does if you have ever had great joy and the great privilege of sitting around a campfire.
Imagine that you can have that same experience – a hot open fire dancing in front of you, the night dark around you and the sky black above, good company, a warm conversation, laughter and singing, roasted marshmallows – whenever you want it, and on your own deck!
If fire pits really are safe to use on a wooden deck, how could anybody resist?
To make sure that you get a fire pit that really is safe, and that you can experience that special, unique feeling, that we ourselves have felt both while camping in the wilderness and in the wilderness of our own back yards, this is why we have put together Fire Pits for your Wooden Deck: The Ultimate Guide.
Because there is nothing like the feeling of sharing an open fire with those you love – although the feeling that comes from knowing you are getting absolutely the best fire pit and the best value possible is pretty special too!
Download this FREE cheat sheet to find 28 tricks that can help you save on your electricity and heating bill each month.
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