Gas and wood-burning fire pits are popular types of fire pits, and both come with pros and cons that you should consider before buying one. This writing will provide a detailed comparison between the gas and wood-burning fire pit based on different factors.
Gas vs. Wood-Burning Fire Pit (Comparison Chart)
|
Topic |
Gas Burning Fire Pit |
Wood Burning Fire Pit |
|
Safety |
Moderately safe and gas pipe leakage may lead to any fire disaster |
Secure, however, it can only be used outdoor |
|
Durability |
Very durable |
Also very durable |
|
Aesthetics |
Adds aestheticism in both indoor and outdoor |
It gives a traditional look to the backyard or open patio |
|
Ease of use |
Very easy to use |
Comparatively hard to use |
|
Heat |
It gives less heat than wood and propane fire pit |
It gives off the most heat among all the fire pits |
|
Fuel capacity |
The fuel tank needs lesser storage, and the direct pipelined gas fire pit requires no space. |
It takes up a lot of space in the yard or house for the fuel logs |
|
Energy efficiency |
The most energy-efficient type of fire pit; it burns clean |
Very less energy-efficient and creates smoke, ash, and dirt. |
|
Maintenance |
Significantly easy to maintain |
Harder to maintain |
|
Affordability |
Pretty much costly |
Cheap and affordable |
|
Portability |
Moderately portable |
Not portable |
|
Ease of installation |
Hard to install as it requires professionals to set it up |
Very easy to install and can be done by anyone |
|
Cooking |
Not recommended for cooking |
Very much convenient for cooking |
Quick Summary: (Winners)
➤ Safety: Wood-Burning Fire Pit
➤ Durability: Tie
➤ Aesthetics: Tie
➤ Ease of Use: Gas-Burning Fire Pit
➤ Heat Production: Wood-Burning Fire Pit
➤ Fuel Capacity: Gas-Burning Fire Pit
➤ Energy Efficiency: Gas-Burning Fire Pit
➤ Maintenance: Gas-Burning Fire Pit
➤ Affordability: Wood-Burning Fire Pit
➤ Portability: Wood-Burning Fire Pit
➤ Ease of Installation: Wood-Burning Fire Pit
➤ Cooking: Wood-Burning Fire Pit
Detailed Comparison Between Them
❑ Safety:
Winner: Wood-burning fire pit
In the case of a gas-burning fire pit, the gas pipe leakage may cause any unpredicted disaster, which must always be checked thoroughly. Also, a fire hazard caused by gas leakage tends to be more significant and less controllable. However, a wood-burning fire pit can also cause accidents and can’t be used indoors, but before any severe hazards happen, it can be put away simply by using water or sand.
❑ Durability:
Winner: Tie
If appropriately maintained, gas and wood fire pits will last a long time. For example, a brick or stone backyard fire pit or a portable wood-burning fire pit usually lasts for more than 30 or 40 years; for a backyard or patio fire pit, you need to be careful about covering it up and cleaning it up. In the case of gas burning fire pit, maintenance is easy. However, proper care will also make it last longer than 30 or 40 years.
❑ Aesthetics:
Winner: Tie
The aesthetics or a beautiful appearance depends on your demand and choice. For example, if you prefer a classic campfire backyard look, a nicely customized wood-burning fire pit is excellent; also, if you want an indoor warm fire scene, a gas fire pit plays the perfect role. Also, portable gas and wood-burning fire pits add scenic beauty to the garden.
❑ Ease of use:
Winner: Gas-burning fire pit
Wood burning fire pits are hard to clean, as they produce ash and dirt also; they need external wood and wood storage. On the other hand, gas burning fire pit can start a fire by simply clicking on a switch without dirt, ash, or coal.
❑ Heat:
Winner: Wood-burning fire pit
Fire can be controlled in a gas-burning fire pit, but it will not give as much heat as the wood-burning fire pit. A wood-burning fire pit is perfect for colder months, as it gives off the most heat among all types of the fire pit.
❑ Fuel Capacity:
Winner: Gas-burning fire pit
Wood burning fire pit needs wood logs to keep stored, and for that, you need to make sure the wood is ideally stored in a storage of your property, and also it takes up a space of the patio or the house. Though a gas fire pit requires storage tanks, it takes up lesser space than the wood-burning one.
❑ Energy Efficiency:
Winner: Gas-burning fire pit
Gas fire pits are muuch more energy-efficient than wood-burning fire pits. Wood fire pits emit approximately 28 or more pounds of emissions than gas-burning firepits into the atmosphere. Gas fire pits burn clean and smoke-free.
❑ Maintenance:
Winner: Gas-burning fire pit
A gas fire pit is easy to maintain and clean. However, a wood-burning fire pit is hard to clean and maintain, as it produces ash and coal. Also, the wood-burning fire pit’s wood log storage needs to be maintained.
Affordability:
Winner: Wood-burning fire pit
In the case of cost, a DIY wood-burning fire pit can be made by anyone with a total cost of around 600$-800$, but for a customized stonework fire pit, it can go up to 7000$. A portable wood-burning fire pit comes in ranges; for example, it can cost from 190$ to 3000$ even. On the contrary, gas-burning fire pit installation starts from 720$ and may rise to 7000$. However, maintenance cost for both wood-burning and gas is low.
Portability:
Winner: Wood-burning fire pit
Though there are many portable gas fire pits on the market, a gas fire pit is recommended to use in a fixed place as gas line leakage may cause severe damage. Wood-burning portable fire pits are easy to carry and use.
Ease of installation:
Winner: Wood-burning fire pit
Anyone home can install a wood-burning fire pit by following proper safety instructions. But gas fire pit installation requires more professional help, and it’s better to take professional assistance for a gas fire pit installation.
Cooking:
Winner: Wood-burning fire pit
Wood burning in a fire pit is the best for cooking, grilling, and throwing a small Barbecue party. Though a gas fire pit can be used for grilling, it’s not recommended unless any griller pan or shallow cast iron pan is there.
Pros and Cons of Gas Fire Pit:
Pros of a gas fire pit:
- easy to maintain
- eco-friendly
- energy-efficient
- adds aesthetics
- durable and needs lesser storage
Cons of a gas fire pit:
- Costly
- Hard to install, and installation price is often too high
- Fire hazards may happen
- Not suitable for cooking
Pros and Cons of Wood Burning Fire Pit
Pros of a wood-burning fire pit:
- Safe
- Easy to install
- Affordable
- Adds a scenic beauty or aesthetics to the backyard
- Very durable
- Good for cooking
Cons of a wood-burning fire pit:
- Hard to maintain
- Less eco-friendly
- Needs storage space
FAQ Section:
Is it better to have a gas or wood fire pit?
If you want to have a warm, safe, easy-to-use fire inside your home, a gas fire pit is a good choice, but if your priorities are to have a pleasant campfire experience, more heat, BBQ, and a natural look to your backyard, then wood burning fire pit is the option.
Are gas fire pits worth it?
Yes, you can also have a lovely warm fire from a gas fire pit. They are safe, very energy efficient, and burn clean. Also, gas fire pit is very portable, so you can enjoy them both indoor and outdoor.
Do gas fire pits keep you warm?
Yes, gas fire pits give off heat but not as much as a wood-burning fire pit. As it is run by gas and the flames tend to be lower, the heat is often less according to expectation.
Can my fire pit be both gas and wood-burning?
No, a fire pit can’t be both gas and wood-burning because you can not burn wood in a gas fire pit. It will clog the gas pipe pores, making it difficult to ignite and creating excessive smoke and dirt.
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Final Verdict:
Your choice depends on your preference and requirements. For example, if you want a backyard patio fire pit with low cost, cooking features, more heat, and a traditional warm look, a wood-burning fire pit is a good choice for you. However, if you prioritize having an eco-friendly, easy-to-use fire pit, which is also portable(both indoor and outdoor), then a gas fire pit is good for you.
