Priorities and setting impact what fuel may be best for your fire pit
There are many factors to consider when evaluating fire pit fuels: heat, burn time, cost, safety, ease of use and availability. The main types of fuel each has plusses and minuses:
- Seasoned Wood – High heat, low-cost fuel but sparks, mess and smoke
- Propane – Clean-burning, middle-of-the-road fuel with fumes to ventilate
- Natural Gas – Medium heat fuel with high short-term costs and fumes but the lowest long-run cost
- Bio-Ethanol – High-cost eco-friendly fuel with no fumes and low but efficient heat
RESULT – Choosing the right fuel ensures your fire pit satisfies your needs and goals.
Did you know that most people use fire pits more in the fall? However, fire pits can be used during any season for backyard fun.
If you plan to use a fire pit this year, you’ll need to consider the type of fuel to use. The most common choices are wood, gas and charcoal but they’re not the only options. Which one is the best? It depends on what you’re looking for in a fire pit or fireplace experience.
Each type of fuel has its own pros and cons, and you’ll need to decide what type of fuel you want to use before purchasing your fire pit. Keep reading and we’ll explore the different fuel types for fire pits and their advantages and disadvantages.
What Type of Fire Pit Fuel is Best for You?
There are several things to evaluate when choosing a fuel for your fire pit or outdoor fireplace. Aesthetic appeal is subjective, but some other objective characteristics include:
- Heat
- Burn time
- Cost
- Safety
- Ease of use
- Availability
What Amount of Heat is Produced by the Fuel?
How hot should your fire pit to burn? If you have winter fires, you’ll want a fuel that burns hotter. The amount of heat produced is determined by caloric content. The higher the caloric content, the more heat it produces. Caloric content differs, so not all fuels generate the same heat. Wind chill and environmental temperature all impact the amount of heat you’ll need or want from your fuel.
How Long Do You Want Your Fuel to Burn?
You may wonder how long your fuel should burn. It depends on a few factors, including the purpose of the fire pit and how frequently you want to replenish the fuel. There’s a big difference between needing heat for a couple of hours while you enjoy a drink and hosting a party that goes deep into the night. It also matters if you expect to be sitting the whole time or walking around.
What is the Cost of the Fuel?
If you don’t want to burn through your hard-earned cash, you must compare short and long-run fuel costs. Some fuels require potentially expensive installations, while others need frequent replenishment or are expensive. If you only occasionally need a fire pit, it might not matter much. If you plan to have frequent outdoor activities in the space, it’s a much more important consideration.
Which Fuels are Safer for Your Setting?
Your specific environment determines which fuels are safer to use. Some require uncovered and well-ventilated spaces, while others may be dangerous in windy conditions or when flammable materials are nearby. The presence of pets and kids is also a consideration as thermal burns are one of the most preventable injuries sustained by small children and adolescents. [Flaherty & Sheridan (2019)]
How Easy is the Fuel to Manage and Clean Up?
An often overlooked factor is the hassle of starting and cleaning a fire pit after a fire burns out or is extinguished. Is it easy to ignite or take time? Some fuels require little to no clean-up, while others need dowsing, sweeping and disposal of ashes and embers. Some fires have smoke and odors that must be ventilated away from the area if you hope to create a welcoming setting for friends and family.
What is the Availability of the Fuel?
Depending on your location and the time of year, some fuels may be easier to find than others. Cold Winter months typically have the highest demand and traditional fuels are apt to be more readily available than newer ones. Additionally, global or domestic supply chain issues can result in longer lead times for retail outlets to restock certain fuels, so it’s good to know where the fuel is sourced.
Primary Types of Fuel for Your Fire Pit
Check out some common fuel options for firepits.
Seasoned Wood
If you’re looking for a more traditional fire fuel, seasoned wood is a great option. Seasoned wood is simply wood left out to dry for a while – typically six months or more.
PROS
- Easy to find in stores
- Usually inexpensive
- Burns hotter than gas fuels
- Produces longer-lasting flames than non-seasoned wood
- Beautiful campfire aesthetics
CONS
- Burns quickly relative to other fuels
- High heat requires greater distance from flames
- Needs ventilation
- Harmful pollutants may violate urban regulations
- Messy and takes time to clean up
Seasoned Wood Tips & Concerns
It’s important to use only fully dry seasoned wood that ideally has been cut into small pieces. Avoid using green wood, as it produces more smoke and could contain moisture that can cause the fire to flare up.
The pollutants can lead to respiratory issues, aggravate asthma symptoms and even increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
When you’re done, ashes and embers should be dowsed with water and swept up so they don’t present a danger or dirty your outdoor setting.
Propane
Liquid propane is one of the most popular types of fuel used in fire pits and it comes in the familiar tanks often seen connected to Weber Grills and other barbecues.
PROS
- Readily available in a variety of sizes and retail locations
- Clean-burning fuel with low levels of carbon dioxide
- Easy on/off and heat control
- Can be refilled or quickly replaced
- No mess to clean up
CONS
- May have an odor depending on the ventilation
- Produces less heat than wood or coal
- Can be dangerous if not stored or used properly
- Unsightly tanks
- May be expensive in some geographies
Propane Gas Tips & Concerns
While you can usually find them at most hardware stores as there are rarely propane shortages, shipping delays and a lack of tanks can make it more difficult to come by if you live in smaller towns or off the beaten path.
Natural Gas
If you’re looking for an odorless and clean-burning fuel for your fire pit, natural gas is a great option.
PROS
- Cost-effective in the long run
- Easy to control
- Safer than wood-burning pits
- No smoke, embers or ashes
- Requires minimal maintenance
CONS
- High up-front cost
- Restricts fire pit placement
- Fossil fuel that’s not the most eco-friendly option
- Less heat than wood or propane
- Emits hazardous pollutants
- Needs ventilation
Natural Gas Tips & Concerns
You need to connect to a natural gas line or a standalone tank. If you don’t have an existing gas line running to your home, it should be installed by a professional and can be costly. However, once the line is installed, you never have to worry about running out. Otherwise, you must purchase a tank to be delivered to your home.
Though they emit 99% less pollutants than wood, natural gas does produce carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, methane and sulfur oxides which need to be vented.
Bio-Ethanol
Ethanol is a type of alcohol that’s derived from plant sources. It can be used as a fuel for fire pits and has advantages over other types of fuels.
Bio-Ethanol Stats
- Bio-ethanol fire pits and fireplaces have up to 98% fuel efficiency rates – much higher than wood-burning models, thus reducing wastage and harmful emissions.
- According to the EPA, burning biomass such as bio-ethanol can result in 59%-86% lower greenhouse gas emissions when compared to fossil fuel equivalents.
- The global bio-ethanol fireplace market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of more than 4% between 2021 and 2026.
PROS
- Pours directly into the burner and needs no connections
- Attractive orange flame
- Burns cleanly – smokeless burn with no odors or pollutants
- No ventilation is required so it can be used indoors or outdoors
- Easy to maintain with no blowing embers, soot or messy ashes
- Eco-friendly renewable fuel
CONS
- Generates less heat than other fuels
- More expensive
- Lighting may take finesse
- Small burners require frequent refilling
Bio-Ethanol Tips & Concerns
While bio-ethanol produces less heat than other fire pit fuels, indoor and covered outdoor spaces will retain much of the heat generated by bio-ethanol fires, while most of the heat produced by other fuels is lost through chimneys and flues.
Refilling burners and lighting bio-fuel firepits may take a while to get the hang of and require careful handling of liquid fuel and precision pouring to avoid spills.
Stephane Thomas, Director of MAD Design Group and creator of EcoSmart Fire, a pioneer of the ethanol fire industry, says ethanol fuel “is a smarter choice for so many reasons. We’ve seen a significant increase in demand for EcoSmart Fires from designers, homeowners and commercial operators – as much as for the design flexibility as for the environmentally-friendly credentials.”
| Factor | Wood | Propane | Natural Gas | Bio-Ethanol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Burn Time | Short | Medium-Long | Long | Short |
| Cost | Low | Medium | High Short Low Long | High |
| Safety | Account for sparks, embers & smoke | Fumes to ventilate | Fumes to ventilate | Liquid fuel to light |
| Ease | Manual Ignition Messy Burn | Auto-Ignition Clean Burn | Auto-Ignition Clean Burn | Manual Ignition Clean Burn |
| Availability | Everywhere | Everywhere | Utility Company | Specialty Home & Hardware |
Extra Benefits for Bio-Ethanol Fireplaces
Indoor and outdoor fireplaces that burn bio-ethanol have additional advantages over other fuels beyond cleanliness, health and eco-friendliness.
Easy Installation Anywhere
Smokeless bio-ethanol fireplaces improve indoor air quality and eliminate the need for a chimney or flue system. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces often require extraction systems to remove smoke and other by-products from your living space.
Consequently, bio-ethanol fireplaces can be installed virtually anywhere. Freestanding, wall-mounted and built-in versions all allow you to incorporate a fireplace into spaces where conventional options might not be feasible.
Unique Focal Point with Real Flame
Bio-ethanol fireplaces offer real flames that create an authentic fireplace experience. Unlike electric fireplaces, which simulate fires using digital or other faux fire effects, bio-ethanol fireplaces provide the mesmerizing dance of genuine flames. This makes them enticing options for those seeking the ambiance of a traditional fireplace without the need for costly and unsightly ventilation systems.
Secondary Fuels for Outdoor Fire Pits
Gel Fuel
Gel fuel is an alcohol-based fuel that is often used in fire pits. It’s easy to use and you can buy it at most home improvement stores.
PROS
- Easy to use and has consistent heat
- Lights quickly and burns for 2-3 hours
- Portable containers
- Available in home improvement stores
CONS
- Expensive if you use it frequently
- Doesn’t generate much heat
Charcoal
If you’re looking for a more natural way to fuel your fire pit, charcoal may be the way to go. Charcoal is made from wood that has been burned in a low-oxygen environment, which results in a more efficient burn.
Lump charcoal is made from whole pieces of wood that have been burned down, while charcoal briquettes are made from sawdust or other wood waste that’s compacted and held together with binders.
PROS
- Lump charcoal burns hotter and cleaner than briquettes or wood
- Briquettes are inexpensive and found in grocery and hardware stores
- Efficient burn
CONS
- Lump charcoal is more expensive and harder to find
- Sparks from briquettes can easily ignite dried grass or leaves
- Relatively messy
Wood Briquettes
Wood briquettes are made from sawdust or other wood waste and compressed into a solid block. They’re often used instead of logs but tend to break apart easily and can be messy. [Baker (1982)]
PROS
- High density with a slow burn
- Less smoke than wood logs
CONS
- May not produce as much heat as other wood fuels
- Can be messy
- Difficult to find sustainable or recycled material versions
Wood Pellets
Wood pellets are made from compressed sawdust and other wood waste and they are a renewable resource.
Pellets can be bought in bulk or by the bag and they burn cleaner than wood logs. The downside to using pellets is that they can be more expensive than other types of fuel and they can create ash that will need to be disposed of once you no longer need a fire.
PROS
- Burn cleaner than wood logs
- Can be bought by the bag or in bulk
CONS
- More expensive than other firepit fuels
- Create ash that needs to be disposed of when done
Find the Right Fuel for Your Backyard Fire Pit
There are many types of fuels to consider for outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and fire tables. It’s important to evaluate their advantages and disadvantages and choose the right type based on your needs and preferences. We hope this article helps you understand your fuel options more thoroughly.
Are you ready to start enjoying your backyard? Check out our options for fire pits and more today.
Frequently Asked Questions – Types of Fuel for Outdoor Fire Pits
What fuel is the best to burn in a fire pit?
There are a wide variety of fuel options for fire pits, outdoor fireplaces and fire tables. Each has positive and negative attributes. Here are a few of the best:
- Hottest – Seasoned Wood
- Longest Burn Time – Plumbed Natural Gas
- Lowest Cost – Wood
- No Ventilation Required – Bio-Ethanol
- Easiest – Propane
- Best Availability – Wood & Propane
References
- Flaherty, M. R., & Sheridan, R. (2019). Fire pit-related burn injuries in children and adolescents. Journal of Burn Care & Research, 40(6), 943-946.
- Baker, A. J. (1982, November). Wood fuel properties and fuel products from woods. In Proc. Fuel Wood Management and Utilization Seminar (pp. 14-25).
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