There are many great options for outdoor fireplaces, and we explore the pros and cons of a Wood Fireplace vs Gas Fireplace for your outdoor setting.

Fire pits have always been a place to share stories and gather with friends and family.  They are natural focal points and can add great style to any backyard.  Which type of fireplace do you choose, wood burning or gas?  They both have great design choices and will provide warmth year-round.   Let’s discuss the pros and cons of each to find which option works best for you and your yard.

Wood Burning Fire Pits

For some people nothing can compare to the smoky aroma and the crackling of a wood fire.  The most enjoyable feature that you will enjoy with a wood fire pit is the ability to cook over the flames.  You can cook the classic smores and hotdogs or go with an entire meal.  You will get a lot more heat using a wood burning stove which is great when you have friends over on a chilly night. 

These firepits tend to be a bit larger as they must fit the logs that are being burned.  You do have portable options but those are typically for small fires and to make your yard stand out you will want to use a more permanent option.  There are many design options from stone, bricks, to metal that you can utilize.  You will want to make sure that you have hardwood available as softwood isn’t safe to cook over.  You will need additional storage to store logs for burning.  They are typically much more budget friendly and will range from $500 to $1,300 and that includes installation.

Pros

Wood Fuel allows roasting or cooking

Budget friendly

Easy Installation

Produces more heat

Cons

Wood storage

Smoky

Need to clean ash out

Prep to start fire

Gas Burning Fire Pits

The biggest selling point for gas fire pits is the convenience factor.  With a flick of a switch you are able to entertain friends around a fire.  No need to grab wood and paper to light the fire and no worries about wind.  I want to focus specifically on natural gas firepits as those offer the most convenience.  Stefan Gheorge points out one of the biggest benefits from natural gas is “Most homes are already connected to a hard-pipe network of natural gas distribution. And that ensures a very convenient supply for the gas fire pit. A constant flow of gas allows you to control the intensity of the flame. And it also removes the nuisance of having to refill a tank periodically.” ( https://www.homedit.com/natural-gas-fire-pits/).

You have a lot of design options and can definitely achieve a much more modern or refined look with natural gas options.  Not only can you design the fire pit, but you have options to use glass or stone where the burner is located.  One thing you will notice about natural gas fireplaces is that they won’t generate nearly as much heat as a wood fireplace, so keep that in mind when you are designing your space.  This will also stretch your budget a lot more as you will need to have a professional install it since you are connected to a natural gas line.  A good range is $1,200 to $2,500. 

Pros

Convenient start and stop features

Customizable design for burner area as well as pit

More eco friendly

No smoke or ash to contend with

Cons

More expensive than wood options

Less heat is produced

Not portable

Conclusion

The best part about is no matter what fire pit you choose you can’t go wrong.  Both wood and gas options will bring your family and guests to the backyard.  Just remember when you install your fireplace be prepared to play host all year round.