Fire Pits 101: The Ultimate Buying Guide for Cozy Backyard Nights This Fall

As the days get shorter and evenings start to cool off, there's nothing quite like sitting outside around a fire pit — whether that means s'mores with the kids, a quiet glass of wine, or just an excuse to stay outdoors a little longer before summer fully hands off to fall. If you've been thinking about adding one to your backyard, here's a real, practical guide to the options — with actual products, prices, and honest trade-offs — so you can pick the right one and actually use it this season.

Complete Fire Pit vs. DIY Fire Ring: Which Should You Get?

There are really two paths here, and which one is right for you comes down to how much setup you want to do and how you plan to use it:

• A complete fire pit table is ready to use out of the box — no digging, no masonry, often propane-powered so there's no smoke or ash to deal with. It's the easiest option if you want function and style without the DIY work.
• A fire ring insert is a steel liner you drop into an existing in-ground pit or a simple above-ground setup you build yourself. It's the budget-friendly, traditional wood-burning route for people who already have (or want to build) a fire pit area.

Option 1: The Complete, No-Assembly-Required Fire Pit Table

Our pick: the FansaFurn 43'' Propane Fire Pit Table ($400.01). This is the option for people who want a fire pit and a piece of patio furniture in one. The 50,000 BTU propane burner is hidden under a bed of lava rock, and a removable lid converts the whole thing into a regular dining or coffee table when you're not using it — genuinely useful if patio space is limited. No wood, no smoke, no ash cleanup, just turn a knob.

Option 2: The Classic DIY Fire Ring (Our Own Brand)

Our pick: the Green Store 36-Inch Smokeless Fire Pit Ring ($118.48). If you already have a spot picked out — in-ground or a simple above-ground ring of pavers — this insert gives you the classic wood-burning fire experience at a fraction of the cost of a full table. The dual ventilation design pulls air through the ring to burn wood more completely, which means noticeably less smoke than an open fire.

Option 3: A Larger Fire Ring for Bigger Gatherings

If you're hosting bigger groups or just want more room around the fire, size up. The FEBTECH 48" Portable Firepit Ring Liner ($224.99) is built from 2mm carbon steel and works above-ground or set into the earth, giving you a wider, more communal fire without needing a permanent installation.

Option 4: The Budget-Friendly Large Ring

Want the same 48-inch footprint without the higher price tag? The Jotesnew 48" Galvanized Fire Pit Ring ($113.98) is a solid, no-frills option — a full 4x4-foot, 2-foot-tall galvanized ring built for straightforward wood-burning bonfires. It won't have the smokeless airflow design of the premium options, but it's a reliable choice if budget is the priority.

Don't Forget the Seating

A fire pit is only as good as what you're sitting on around it. The GarveeLife Folding Adirondack Chair Set of 2 with Side Table ($389.09) gives you weather-resistant HDPE chairs with a built-in cup holder and a shared side table — and because they fold flat, you can store them away easily once the season changes instead of leaving them out to weather all winter.

Fire Pit Safety Basics

• Keep your fire pit at least 10 feet from your house, fences, and any overhanging branches.
• Set up on a non-flammable surface — pavers, gravel, or concrete, not directly on a wooden deck unless it's specifically rated for it.
• Check local regulations; some cities and HOAs restrict or seasonally ban open wood-burning fires (propane options like the FansaFurn table are often exempt from these restrictions).
• Keep a hose, bucket of water, or fire extinguisher within reach any time you have a fire going.
• Never leave a fire unattended, and fully extinguish wood fires before heading inside — embers can stay hot for hours.

Building Your Fire Pit Setup: Quick Checklist

• 1x fire pit — propane table for zero maintenance, or a fire ring for the classic wood-burning experience
• Seating — Adirondack chairs that fold away when the season ends
• A hose or extinguisher kept nearby for safety
• A clear, non-flammable base at least 10 feet from structures

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a propane fire pit or a wood-burning fire ring better?
It depends on what you value more. Propane is cleaner, easier to start and stop, and often allowed even during local burn bans. Wood-burning has the classic crackle-and-smoke experience many people actually want, and fire rings cost significantly less upfront.

Do I need a permit for a fire pit?
Rules vary widely by city and HOA. Many areas allow contained fire pits (rings or tables) without a permit, but some restrict open wood burning seasonally. Check your local fire department's guidelines before your first burn.

What size fire ring do I need?
For a small patio or 2–4 people, a 30–36 inch ring is plenty. For larger gatherings or a more communal setup, sizing up to 42–48 inches gives everyone more room around the fire.

Can I put a fire pit on my wooden deck?
Only if it's specifically rated as deck-safe, and even then a heat-resistant mat underneath is strongly recommended. When in doubt, set up on pavers, gravel, or concrete instead.

Ready to Get Cozy?

Every product above is currently in stock. Browse our full fire pits collection to compare more options and find the setup that fits your backyard.