Firepits: Gather Around The Fire

There's something primal about a fire. It draws people in, slows the evening down, and turns a backyard into a destination. A well-chosen firepit doesn't just provide warmth, it becomes the anchor of your entire outdoor living space.

Whether you're envisioning a crackling wood fire on a cool fall evening, a sleek gas flame glowing behind a modern sectional, or a summer night of s'mores and storytelling, there's a fire pit built exactly for your lifestyle. This guide walks you through everything from the types, the materials, the fuel options, where to put it, and how to keep everyone safe while you enjoy it.

Types Of Firepits

The market has never offered more variety, which is great news for anyone looking to match a fire pit to their specific space and style. Here's a quick breakdown of the most popular options:

Wood-burning bowl

The classic. Round or square bowls on legs, typically steel or cast iron. Gives that authentic crackle and wood smoke aroma.

Gas fire table

A table-height unit with a burner insert. Clean, controllable, and doubles as a functional outdoor coffee or dining table.

In-ground / sunken pit

Dug into the patio or yard. Permanent, dramatic, and great for larger gatherings. Requires professional planning.

Chiminea

A freestanding front-facing design with a chimney flue. Directional heat and a charming aesthetic, popular in Southwestern styles.

Tabletop firepit

Compact and portable. Typically uses gel or isopropyl alcohol fuel. Perfect for small patios, decks, or apartment balconies.

Built-in / masonry

Custom-built from brick, stone, or concrete block. A permanent landscape feature that adds serious curb appeal and resale value.

Ashley East Beach 5-Piece Outdoor Bar Set with Firepit

Materials: What It's Made Of Matters

The material your firepit is built from affects its durability, heat retention, appearance, and how much maintenance you'll be doing over the years. Here's what's most common and what to expect:

Fuel Sources: Flame Your Way

Your fuel choice shapes nearly everything; the ambiance, the convenience, the maintenance, and in some cases, where you can legally operate your fire pit. Know your options before you buy.

Wood

Nothing beats the real sound of the crackle, the smell smoke, and the char of a wood fire. Hardwoods like oak, hickory, and cherry burn longer and hotter than softwoods like pine, which tend to pop and produce more sparks. Wood burning is also the only fuel type that lets you cook and roast directly over the flame. The tradeoff? You'll deal with smoke, ash cleanup, and local burn ordinances in some municipalities.

Natural Gas

If your home already has a gas line, a permanent natural gas hookup is the most convenient option out there. Turn it on with a switch, set the height with a dial, and turn it off when you're done. No wood, no ash, no mess. It's the top choice for gas fire tables integrated into a fully furnished outdoor room.

Propane

Propane gives you most of the benefits of natural gas without the need for a permanent gas line. A standard 20-lb tank (the same kind used for a grill) powers most fire pit tables for several hours. It's portable, widely available, and easy to manage. Just keep an eye on that tank level because nothing deflates an evening like running out mid-party.

Gel And Isopropyl Alcohol

These are the fuels behind tabletop fire pits and decorative indoor/outdoor fireplaces. They burn clean with no soot, no smoke, and no ash. Flame height is modest but the effect is warm and intimate. Perfect for a small balcony or a supplemental accent feature.

Electric

Newer to the market, electric fire pits use LED lighting to simulate flames with optional heat output from an embedded element. They're smoke-free, HOA-friendly, and can be used indoors. They don't deliver the primal experience of a real flame, but the technology has gotten impressively convincing, and they're zero-maintenance.

Ashley Rainier Ranch Round Firepit Table

Placement: Where You Put It Changes Everything

This is where a lot of buyers get tripped up. A firepit that's in the wrong spot is either underused, unsafe, or both. Think of placement as a two-part question: where does it work spatially, and where does it work safely?

Ideally, your firepit becomes the focal point of a well-arranged seating area making it the outdoor equivalent of a living room with a fireplace. Position it as the centerpiece, then surround it with comfortable seating: deep-seat sofas, lounge chairs, or purpose-built firepit seating sets that curve around the flame. The goal is to create a space where everyone faces inward, conversation flows naturally, and the fire is within an arm's reach of that good feeling.

Think of your firepit the way you'd think about your living room's fireplace. It's the anchor that everything else is arranged around. Pull your seating in close, add a side table or two for drinks, and you've built the best room in the house. It just happens to be outside.

Keep it away from low-hanging tree branches, overhangs, fences, or any overhead structure. A good rule of thumb for wood-burning pits: 10 feet of clearance in every direction from any structure or combustible material. For gas fire tables, that radius can be shorter, but always check the manufacturer's guidelines. Avoid placing fire pits on wooden decks unless you have an approved firepit pad and your pit is specifically rated for deck use.

Think about wind direction too. Sitting downwind of a wood-burning pit gets smoky fast. Position the pit so prevailing breezes carry smoke away from your primary seating, or choose a sheltered spot in your yard where airflow is minimal.

Ashley Laguna Heights Outdoor Firepit Table

Cooking Over The Fire: From S'mores To Steaks

One of the great underrated pleasures of a wood-burning firepit is the cooking. And no, we're not just talking about hot dogs on a stick (though those are spectacular and should not be underestimated).

Roasting marshmallows is its own art form. Low and slow over red-hot coals rather than open flame gives you that perfect golden exterior and gooey center. S'mores are practically mandatory at any gathering, and kids old enough to hold a stick are old enough to be part of the ritual.

For more serious cooking, look for fire pits that come with or accept grill grate accessories. Cast-iron grates that sit over the bowl let you grill burgers, corn, vegetables, and fish just like you would on a charcoal grill. Some pit designs even accommodate Dutch ovens for slow-cooked chili or a campfire cobbler that'll make everyone forget dessert ever came from an oven.

If you primarily want to cook, a wood-burning bowl or a dedicated in-ground pit with a grate will serve you better than a gas fire table. Gas tables aren't designed for food prep and most manufacturers advise against it.

Safety: The Non-Negotiables

A firepit is a managed fire, and managed fires require real respect. These aren't scare tactics but the basics that keep a great evening from becoming an emergency.

Safety essentials

• Always keep a water source or fire extinguisher within reach when burning
• Never leave a burning firepit unattended, especially with children or pets nearby
• Use a spark screen on wood-burning pits to contain embers
• Let wood fires burn down completely before leaving. Don't just douse and walk away without checking
• Keep flammable materials (cushions, blankets, rugs) at least 3 feet from the fire
• Never burn treated wood, plywood, trash, or yard waste as the fumes are toxic
• Check local ordinances before you light up because many cities and HOAs have restrictions
• For gas pits, inspect hose connections seasonally and smell-test before every use
• Place firepits on level, stable ground to avoid a very serious tipping hazard
• Teach kids the "hot zone" rule which is a clear perimeter around the pit that they don't cross

For households with young children, consider a fire pit with a built-in screen or a surround that limits direct contact. Gas fire tables with glass bead or lava rock media stay contained and are generally safer to use around curious hands than an open wood-burning bowl, though the burner itself still gets extremely hot.

Wind is your biggest unpredictable variable. If conditions pick up significantly mid-evening, it's okay to call it a night early. The fire will be there tomorrow.

Putting It All Together

The right firepit isn't just a product, it's an invitation. An invitation to slow down, step outside, and actually spend time with the people you care about. Whether you're pulling chairs around a handcrafted steel bowl in the backyard, gathering the family around a propane table on the patio, or roasting hot dogs over a bed of white-hot hardwood coals, the fire is just the beginning.

Start with how you want to use it most. Are you a wood-fire purist who loves the process? Go with a quality steel or cast iron wood-burning bowl. Do you want something turnkey and elegant for dinner parties? A natural gas or propane fire table is your answer. Want both ambiance and actual cooking? A deeper wood-burning pit with a grate accessory gives you everything.

Build the space around it. Add seating that pulls people together. Layer in some weather-resistant throw pillows. Put a side table close enough to set down a drink. And once the sun goes down and the flames start rising, you'll realize you've built something better than a patio. You've built a place people want to be.

Visit Homemakers Furniture to explore our full collection of outdoor seating, firepits, and accessories designed to turn your backyard into your favorite room.