Buying guides
13 guides on fire pit and patio heater buying decisions — grounded in first-hand install experience, named brands, specific BTU and dimension figures. Every guide is written and maintained by the editorial team at FirePits.com.
Fire pits
Shop fire pits →48-inch fire pit buying guide
Why 48" is the most popular size, seating math, BTU range, and material comparison across GFRC, Corten, copper, and powder-coated steel.
Read guide →Fire pit sizing guide
Match pit diameter to seating. 30-36" fits 4-6, 42-48" fits 6-8, 60"+ anchors a full outdoor room.
Read guide →Fire pit BTU explained — 45,000 to 190,000
What BTU actually means, residential ranges, altitude derating, and BTU-to-heat-radius conversion table.
Read guide →Natural gas vs propane fire pits
Install cost, annual fuel cost math, flame character, tank run-time, and cold-weather performance.
Read guide →Fire tables & bowls
Shop fire tables & bowls →Large fire tables (60-84")
Specifying, delivering, and living with a 60-84" fire table — weight (350-500 lbs), foundation needs, BTU at large format.
Read guide →Pool fire bowl buying guide
Fuel, material (GFRC vs copper vs steel), size, and install pattern (bond-beam, deck-mounted, coping-integrated).
Read guide →Concrete vs stainless fire pit tables
GFRC concrete vs 304 stainless — weight, freeze-thaw performance, aesthetic, and cost comparison.
Read guide →Patio heaters
Shop patio heaters →Brands we carry
Shop brands we carry →Ohio Flame
Handmade Corten steel fire pits made in Ohio. Patina development, lifetime warranty, and the Patriot vs Liberty vs Taurus lineup.
Read guide →The Outdoor Plus
The widest lineup we carry — round bowls, linear tables, and fire+water bowls in GFRC, Corten, copper, and powder-coated steel.
Read guide →Prism Hardscapes
GFRC concrete fire bowls and tables handmade in California. Elevate, Porto, Tavola, and Moderno collection breakdown.
Read guide →Lava Heat Italia
Italian-designed flame-tower patio heaters. Bronze and stainless finishes, tank-base + fixed-NG variants.
Read guide →Need help picking?
Our editorial team is also happy to answer sizing, BTU, or install questions directly. Get in touch — no cost, no obligation to buy.