A 20-pound propane tank gives you roughly 8 to 10 hours of fire at medium flame, then you are hauling it to the hardware store for a $20 refill. A natural gas line costs $15 to $25 a month and never runs dry. That single difference decides this purchase for most people, and yet the showroom sticker rarely mentions it.
Both pits burn clean, light with a knob or a click, and skip the smoke and ash of wood. The real split is how they get fuel, what they cost over five years, and how much freedom you have to move the thing around the yard.
How the two fuels actually differ
Propane pits run off a refillable tank, usually a 20-lb cylinder hidden in the base. You buy the pit, fill the tank, and you are burning the same night. Natural gas pits connect to the same line that feeds your furnace or water heater, which means a permanent install and almost always a licensed plumber.
Here is the part the salesperson skips: a natural gas pit needs a fixed gas line trenched to its location. Move the pit six feet next spring and you are paying to re-run the line. Propane goes wherever you carry it.
| Factor | Propane | Natural Gas | |---|---|---| | Upfront cost (pit only) | $150-$600 | $300-$900 | | Install cost | $0 (DIY) | $300-$1,500 (line + permit) | | Fuel cost | ~$3-$5 per evening | ~$0.50-$1 per evening | | Heat output | 50,000-60,000 BTU | 30,000-45,000 BTU | | Portability | High (carry anywhere) | None (fixed) | | Refueling | Swap tank every 8-10 hrs | Never |
When propane wins
Renters, condo patios, and anyone who might rearrange the yard should buy propane. There is no trenching, no permit, no plumber. You can put a propane pit on a balcony (where local code allows), take it camping, or move it under the pergola when the wind shifts.
The hidden cost is the refills. If you burn three evenings a week through a 5-month season, that is roughly 60 nights and around $180 in propane. Annoying, but the $0 install offsets it for years. My take: if you run the pit fewer than two nights a week, propane is the smarter money. You never recoup a $1,200 gas-line install on light use.
One real drawback is the tank dance. The cylinder sits inside the base, so when it runs out mid-gathering you are disconnecting a regulator in the dark. Buy a second tank ($35) and keep it filled. That solves 90% of the frustration.
When natural gas wins
If the pit lives in one spot and you use it often, natural gas is the better long-term buy. Fuel runs about a quarter of propane's cost per hour, and you never interrupt an evening to swap a tank. Heavy users break even on the install in two to three seasons.
The catch is commitment. You are paying $300 to $1,500 for the line, you need a permit in most municipalities, and the pit is bolted to that location for good. Skip the DIY temptation here. Gas-line work near a deck is exactly where a bad fitting becomes a fire, and most insurance policies want a permitted, inspected job.
A smart move before you dig: plan the install alongside any other backyard wiring or lighting project so the trench does double duty. If you are already running power for outdoor string lights, share the trench and save a second excavation fee.
Heat, looks, and the small stuff
Propane's higher BTU output means a warmer pit on a 45-degree night, noticeable once you are more than six feet from the flame. For a tight seating circle, both feel plenty hot. Lava rock or glass media spreads the flame evenly on either fuel; that is cosmetic, not a fuel decision.
Maintenance is light for both. Wipe the burner ports a few times a season so spiders and debris don't clog them, and cover the pit in winter. After a muddy spring, a quick rinse keeps the base clean; if you are already doing yard cleanup with a power washer, a low-pressure pass on the stone surround handles it. Keep high pressure away from the burner and gas fittings.
The verdict
Buy propane if you rent, move often, or burn the pit two nights a week or less. The zero-dollar install and full portability beat the refill hassle for casual use. Our pick in that lane is a 50,000-BTU steel-and-concrete model in the $350 range with a hidden tank and electronic ignition.
Buy natural gas if you own the home, the pit stays put, and you burn it three-plus nights a week. The cheaper fuel and zero refills pay back the install within three seasons. Get a permit, hire a licensed installer, and trench it when you are doing other backyard work.
Whatever you pick, size the pit to your space first: a 30-inch bowl warms a 4-chair circle, a 42-inch table needs an 8-foot clearance to the house and any overhang. Measure before you fall for a finish.
