Most standard orders take 2-4 weeks and ship from Ontario, California
The Carmen Corten Steel Fire Pit by The Outdoor Plus measures 72 inches long and 16 inches wide, with a recessed 52-by-8-inch burning area. Choose a 16- or 24-inch body height; both versions have the same footprint and listed 40,000 BTU burner input.
The corten steel body has a rust-toned surface that changes with outdoor exposure rather than maintaining a uniform painted color. Choose the height for its relationship to your seating and fuel arrangement: the 16-inch version requires external propane tank placement, while the 24-inch version includes a door for internal tank storage.
Design & Construction
Individually handcrafted in the USA, the Carmen combines a straight-sided corten steel enclosure with a recessed linear burner assembly. The long, uninterrupted metal faces make differences in surface color and weathering visible below the burning area.
Corten's developing patina is part of the material selection, not a fixed finish color. Exposure and site conditions influence its appearance, so don't expect every face to weather identically. A physical sample can help coordinate the starting palette with paving and furniture, but it cannot predict the full progression of the installed surface.
The 24-inch model raises the surround and burning area eight inches above the lower version. Compare both heights with your seat cushions and the view between facing seats. The taller model exposes more of the steel body without increasing the burning-area length or standard burner input.
The 8-inch-wide burning area sits within a body just 16 inches wide, leaving a narrow surround rather than a broad tabletop. Plan separate tables for drinks and serving pieces instead of assuming the ledge will serve that purpose while the fire is lit. Keep objects outside the manufacturer's required clearances.
Slight variations in color and texture may occur because of the handmade construction. When specifying several units, allow for differences between enclosures rather than expecting matching weathering patterns.
Sizes & Specifications
Both heights share the same burning-area dimensions, listed burner input and suggested fire-glass quantity. The height decision changes the enclosure proportions and propane-storage arrangement, not the standard burner capacity.
| Height Option | Dimensions (L × W × H) | Burning Area (L × W) | Listed BTU Rating | Suggested Fire Glass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-inch tall | 72 × 16 × 16 in. | 52 × 8 in. | 40,000 | 44 lb |
| 24-inch tall | 72 × 16 × 24 in. | 52 × 8 in. | 40,000 | 44 lb |
The fire-glass quantity is a suggested ordering amount, not a media-depth instruction. Follow the requirements for the selected burner and ignition system when placing media. The listed BTU rating describes burner input, not a guaranteed heating area.
Ignition & Fuel Options
Choose a natural gas or liquid propane configuration to match the planned gas supply. Six ignition options are available:
- Match Lit: Light the burner manually without an electrical connection.
- Match Lit with Flame Sense: Manual lighting with flame monitoring that shuts off the gas if the flame goes out.
- Low Voltage Electronic: Electronic ignition requiring a suitable low-voltage power supply.
- Plug & Play: Electronic ignition that connects to a suitable electrical outlet.
- Spark Glow: Battery-powered spark ignition without a separate lighter.
- Fire Glow: Battery-powered spark ignition with flame monitoring and automatic gas shutoff.
For the 16-inch propane version, resolve the external tank location and approved gas connection before completing the furniture layout. For the 24-inch version, confirm compatible tank dimensions and leave room to open the access door and change the cylinder without moving the fire pit.
Select the ignition system before completing gas lines, electrical work or surrounding paving. Have your installer confirm supply pressure, gas-line sizing and power requirements for the exact configuration. Keep controls and service access reachable after furniture is in place.
Decorative Media & Accessories
The Carmen includes a fire pan, burner, selected ignition configuration and lava rock. Optional fire glass changes the appearance of the recessed burner bed. Choose a media color that works with a range of rust tones rather than one intended to match only the enclosure's initial color.
Both body heights have the same suggested fire-glass order of 44 pounds. The taller enclosure does not require additional media for the listed burning area.
Catalog-listed upgrades include a Bullet Burner, glass wind guard, stainless steel burner lid and canvas cover. The two heights share the listed burner, lid and wind guard, but require different canvas covers. Specify the 16- or 24-inch body height when ordering a cover, not just the 72-inch length.
If choosing the Bullet Burner upgrade, confirm its input and gas-supply requirements before installation. Do not apply the standard burner's 40,000 BTU rating to the upgraded assembly without checking its specifications. A glass wind guard does not reduce required clearances or override restrictions on operating conditions.
Allow the unit to cool completely before fitting a lid or cover. Follow the manufacturer's finish-care instructions before applying rust removers, sealers or other metal treatments. Keep debris out of the burner area and ventilation openings.
Placement & Installation
The Carmen is intended for outdoor use only. Have a qualified installer confirm the supporting surface, ventilation, gas connection, required clearances and any electrical work before the unit is positioned.
Address the weathering steel's relationship to surrounding paving before installation. For pale or porous surfaces, ask the manufacturer about runoff, staining precautions and any recommended protection. Include drainage and the path of water leaving the enclosure in that review.
The 16-inch body width is not the total space required between seats. Lay out the enclosure together with the manufacturer's required clearances, then check the arrangement with people seated. Preserve routes around both ends of the six-foot body so guests do not need to squeeze between furniture and the fire pit.
Check gates, steps and turns along the delivery route. Confirm unloading and final-placement arrangements rather than assuming delivery includes installation. Protect the enclosure from tools and nearby construction work.
For hospitality projects, include the changing corten surface in material approvals and maintenance instructions so staff do not treat the intended patina as a finish defect. Establish who will light and shut down the unit, maintain access for cleaning and service, and keep required circulation routes clear. Installation must follow the manufacturer's instructions and applicable local and commercial requirements.
California Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, and carbon monoxide and lead, which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
| SPEC SHEET | Carmen Corten Steel Fire Pit Spec Sheet |
|---|---|
| INSTALL GUIDE - MATCH LIT | Fire Pit Installation - Match Lit |
| INSTALL GUIDE - LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRONIC | Fire Pit Installation - Low Voltage Electronic |
| INSTALL GUIDE - PLUG & PLAY ELECTRONIC | Fire Pit Installation - Plug & Play Electronic |
No returns on made-to-order goods.
No returns on custom features, NO EXCEPTIONS.
If a product is delivered incorrectly, it is the recipients responsibility to notify TOP within 48 hours. TOP is not responsible for incorrect or damaged packages and shipments 48 hours after they have been received.
- Subjective Returns: Yes (eligible pieces only)
- Restocking Fees: 25%
- Claim Timeframe: 48 hours
For more information, see The Outdoor Plus Warranty & Policies page.
