Gas vs Wood Burning Fire Pits: Which Is Best for Your Garden?
Gas or wood? The short answer: a gas fire pit gives you instant, smoke free flames at the turn of a dial. A wood burner gives you real crackle, real heat and the chance to cook. It depends whether you value convenience or campfire.
Gas vs Wood Fire Pits at a Glance
| Gas | Wood burning | |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting | Turn a dial | Kindling, firelighters and patience |
| Smoke | None | Some, especially with damp wood |
| Ash | None | Yes, needs clearing |
| Heat | Steady, gentle | Stronger, more radiant |
| Cooking | Not usually | Often, with a grill or plancha |
| Fuel | Gas bottle | Seasoned logs |
| Best for | Patios, decks, quick evenings | Bigger gardens, cooking, atmosphere |
Gas Fire Pits
Gas fire pits are the low effort option. You sit down, turn the dial and enjoy the flames. When you are done, you turn it off and go to bed. No smouldering logs, no checking on it in your pyjamas. See our gas fire pits.
Ease of Use and Heat Control
You can turn the flame up for a chilly evening or down for a gentle glow. Most gas fire pit tables sit on a bed of lava stones or glass, and a glass wind screen helps keep the flame steady on breezy nights.
Clean Burning and Upkeep
No smoke means no stinging eyes and no smelly jumpers. Upkeep is simple: keep the burner covered when not in use, check the hose for wear and brush away leaves.
Gas Bottles
Most gas fire pit tables run from a standard gas bottle placed next to the table. A gas bottle cover and side table hides it and gives you a handy spot for drinks. For a permanent built in fire pit with a fixed gas supply, always use a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Wood Burning Fire Pits
Wood burning fire pits are all about atmosphere: the crackle, the smell and that hypnotic orange glow that makes everyone go quiet for a moment. Many in our fire pit BBQs range cook too.
Flames, Heat and Cooking
A good log fire throws out plenty of heat, so you can sit a little further back. Add a grill or plancha and dinner is sorted. The HEAT Gystad has a plancha and grill, and the HEAT Pendal has a swing grill you can move over the flames.
Smoke, Ash and Logs
The trade off is smoke and tidying up. Burn only dry, seasoned wood, as damp logs smoke far more and annoy everyone, including the neighbours.
You will need somewhere dry to keep logs, such as a corten steel log store, and something to get the fire going. Natural firelighters make lighting much easier than rolling up the Sunday papers.
Corten Steel
Many wood burners are made from corten steel, which builds up a protective rusty patina and can live outside all year. Browse our corten steel fire pits.
Costs Compared
Buying
Gas fire pit tables and wood burning fire pit BBQs cover a similar range of prices, from compact models to large statement pieces. Think about what else you get: a gas table doubles as patio furniture, while a wood fire pit BBQ doubles as your cooker.
Running
Gas running costs depend on the size of the burner, how high you run it and the price of bottled gas. Wood costs depend on where you buy it. Seasoned logs in bulk work out far cheaper than small bags from the petrol station.
Which Suits Your Garden?
Choose Gas If
- You want flames in seconds and no tidying up
- Your fire pit will sit on a patio, deck or balcony
- Neighbours are close and smoke would be a problem
- You want a fire pit that works as a table too
Choose Wood If
- You love the crackle, smell and ritual of a real fire
- You want to cook over the flames
- You have space away from the house and fences
- You do not mind sweeping up ash now and then
Safety Either Way
- Use your fire pit on a level, stable, non combustible surface.
- Keep it well away from fences, sheds and overhanging branches.
- Never leave it unattended, and keep children and pets back.
- Check your council's guidance on smoke if you live in a built up area.
This is general guidance only. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your fire pit, chiminea or BBQ, and check any local rules before you light up.
Conclusion
Gas wins on convenience, cleanliness and neighbour relations. Wood wins on atmosphere, heat and sausages. There is no wrong answer, just the one that suits your garden and your evenings.
Browse all our fire pits, or call Warren or Leanne on 01249 588853 for friendly, honest advice.
Have you checked out our other posts?
Garden Furniture with a Fire Pit: A Buyer's Guide
Can You Put a Fire Pit on Decking?
Chiminea vs Fire Pit: Which Should You Choose?
Outdoor Kitchens with a BBQ: A UK Planning Guide
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