The Outdoor Plus vs HPC Fire: Which Custom Fire Feature Brand?
The Outdoor Plus and HPC Fire are the two custom-fire-feature brands we spec most often for designer-driven backyard projects. Both make everything from match-lit fire bowls to electronic-ignition commercial installs. The real differences are in material program, burner catalog depth, and the way each handles custom work.
Last reviewed by the FirePits.com editorial team on October 8, 2026
The Outdoor Plus
California-based custom-fire-feature manufacturer — GFRC concrete, Corten and 316 stainless, hammered copper, hand-finished in-house. 2,000+ configurations across fire pits, fire tables, fire bowls, and water + fire features. Four ignition platforms (match-lit, flame-sensing, Spark-to-Flame electronic, remote-controlled commercial). 4–8 week typical lead time.
Buy this if:
- You want a specific size + shape + material combination not available off-the-shelf
- GFRC concrete, hammered copper, or Corten steel are must-have materials
- Water + fire combination features matter
- You're OK with a 4–8 week lead time for custom orders
HPC Fire
Milestone-distributed US-made burner specialist — the deepest catalog of H-burners, torpedo burners, round pan burners, square pan burners, and architectural fire ribbon systems. Focuses on the burner + pan platform (bring your own enclosure). Multiple ignition platforms including commercial AWEIS systems. 2–4 week typical lead time.
Buy this if:
- You already have the enclosure design + just need the burner platform
- Linear fire ribbons or architectural flame patterns matter
- Commercial AWEIS (gas valve + safety) ignition is required
- You want the broadest burner-shape catalog in the category
Side-by-Side Comparison
| The Outdoor Plus | HPC Fire | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary category | Complete finished fire features | Burner + pan platforms (enclosure separate) |
| Material options | GFRC concrete, 316 stainless, Corten steel, hammered copper, stucco | Stainless burner + pan only (enclosure is customer-supplied) |
| Burner platform | Round and linear stainless burners | H-burner, torpedo, round pan, square pan, fire ribbon, custom shapes |
| Smallest fire feature | 24-inch round fire bowl | 12-inch round pan burner |
| Largest fire feature | 96-inch linear fire table + custom commercial-size | Up to 144-inch fire ribbon systems |
| Ignition platforms | Match-lit, flame-sensing, Spark-to-Flame electronic, Spark-to-Flame commercial | Match-lit, flame-sensing, electronic, AWEIS commercial (24V valve + safety) |
| Lead time (standard) | 4–6 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| Lead time (custom) | 6–8 weeks + sampling | 4–6 weeks |
| Warranty | Lifetime burner, 10 years GFRC + stainless, 3 years ignition electronics | Lifetime burner, 10 years pan + enclosure, 2 years ignition electronics |
| Dealer price range (24" starter) | $1,200–$2,500 (bowl only) | $400–$800 (burner + pan only) |
| Dealer price range (60" fire table) | $4,500–$8,500 (complete) | $1,200–$2,200 (burner + pan only) |
Our Dealer-Side Verdict
If you want a complete, finished fire feature with the enclosure designed-and-made as one piece, The Outdoor Plus is the better choice — the material program (GFRC, hammered copper, Corten) and completeness of the delivered product save install time and give better-finished results. If you're a landscape architect or mason designing a custom hardscape where the fire feature is built into a stone-clad or concrete enclosure you're building yourself, HPC Fire is the better choice — the burner catalog is deeper, lead times are shorter, and you're not paying for an enclosure you don't need. Many of our installs use both: HPC burner platforms set into custom-built stonework for the hardscape, The Outdoor Plus complete pieces for the portable or standalone features.
Frequently Asked
Can I use an HPC Fire burner inside a The Outdoor Plus concrete enclosure?
Technically yes — HPC Fire burners can retrofit into most enclosures with the correct cutout and gas line. In practice this is uncommon because The Outdoor Plus enclosures ship pre-fitted for TOP's own burner platform, and retrofitting requires modifying the gas line routing. If you're mixing brands, start with a bare HPC Fire pan + a custom-built enclosure.
Which brand has better commercial ignition options?
HPC Fire leads on commercial AWEIS (24V valve + flame safety + emergency shutoff) because the system was designed for the commercial market first. The Outdoor Plus has commercial Spark-to-Flame but with a smaller catalog of valve + safety configurations. For restaurant, hotel, and commercial installs, HPC Fire is the industry standard.
Is The Outdoor Plus actually custom or just made-to-order?
Both. The standard catalog (2,000+ SKUs) is made-to-order with your choice of size, material, color, and ignition. True custom work (unique shapes, oversized sizes, custom material finishes) is also available with sampling and a 6–8 week lead time. The 'made-to-order' standard catalog covers 90% of what buyers want; true custom is reserved for architect-driven designs.
What's the real cost difference between these two brands for a 60-inch fire table?
The Outdoor Plus complete 60-inch GFRC fire table: $4,500–$8,500 depending on material and ignition. HPC Fire 60-inch burner + pan + ignition only (you build the enclosure): $1,200–$2,200. If you're paying a mason to build a stone enclosure for the HPC Fire, the mason's labor usually adds $2,000–$4,000, which brings the delivered-cost closer. For contractor builds in stone or concrete, HPC often wins on total cost; for pre-finished designer pieces, The Outdoor Plus wins.
Which brand has better electronic ignition reliability?
Both brands use similar flame-sensing + spark-ignition technology; the main difference is in the control module. The Outdoor Plus Spark-to-Flame has a sealed outdoor-rated enclosure. HPC Fire's electronic ignition uses a standard outdoor-rated enclosure but with slightly looser weatherproofing specs. For high-humidity or coastal installs, The Outdoor Plus has a slight edge on electronic reliability.
