The Ignition Question Most Buyers Skip Until It’s Too Late

Shoppers spend weeks comparing tabletop materials, BTU ratings, and frame finishes before buying a gas fire pit table. The ignition system—the mechanism that actually starts the fire and controls the flame—gets about thirty seconds of attention. That imbalance is worth correcting, because the ignition type shapes nearly every interaction you’ll have with the table: how fast it lights on a breezy evening, whether it shuts off automatically if the wind blows the flame out, and how much it costs to repair five years from now.

For any fire pit table with adjustable flame, there are two systems that dominate the residential market: electronic ignition (also called DSI, or Direct Spark Ignition) and push-button spark ignition. They sound similar, and they share a few components, but they work quite differently in practice. Understanding that difference will help you buy the right table—and use it safely once it arrives.

How Push-Button Spark Ignition Actually Works

Push-button spark ignition is the more common of the two systems, especially on mid-range fire pit tables. The mechanism is similar to a gas grill igniter: a battery-powered sparker (usually running on a single AA battery housed directly in the button) generates a spark when pressed. You turn the gas valve to low, press the igniter button, and the spark catches the gas stream. Once the flame appears, you release the button and use the control knob to dial the flame up or down.

The key thing to understand about push-button systems is that they require you to be present at the table to light it. There is no remote capability, no wall switch, and no automatic relight if the flame goes out mid-evening. If a gust of wind extinguishes the burner, the gas continues flowing until you notice and turn it off manually. Most push-button tables do not include flame-sensing technology as standard equipment—that’s a separate upgrade on many models.

On the reliability front, push-button igniters tend to be straightforward and inexpensive to service. The battery is usually accessible without tools. However, wet fire media (glass or lava rock that has absorbed moisture) or a misaligned spark rod can cause the spark to ground out rather than ignite the gas. In those situations, a long-handled lighter serves as a simple backup—the valve and control knob still work independently of the igniter.

Push-button systems are well-suited for residential patios where the owner is always present during use, where running electrical power to the fire table location is impractical, and where keeping the upfront cost lower is a priority. They represent a practical middle ground between fully manual match-lit systems and the more sophisticated electronic setups.

How Electronic (DSI) Ignition Systems Work—and Why They Cost More

Electronic ignition systems, often labeled DSI (Direct Spark Ignition), use a dedicated electronic control module to manage the entire ignition sequence. When you flip a wall switch, press a remote button, or use a smartphone app, the module runs a brief self-diagnostic, then opens the electronic gas valve and begins sparking. On most systems, the flame should appear within about 12 seconds. Once the flame sensor—a thermocouple or ionization probe—detects a stable flame, the sparking stops and the system signals that everything is operating correctly.

The safety architecture here is meaningfully different from a push-button setup. If the flame goes out unexpectedly—say, a strong gust blows it out while you’re inside getting drinks—the flame sensor detects the absence of fire and the electronic valve closes automatically, cutting the gas supply. Many DSI systems go a step further: before shutting off entirely, the module makes several automatic relight attempts. Only if those attempts fail does it close the valve completely. That sequence prevents dangerous gas buildup in a way that a basic push-button system simply cannot.

Electronic systems also support a wider range of control options. Wall switches, handheld remotes, timers, and smart home integrations are all possible depending on the model. For households managing multiple fire features around a pool or large patio, being able to light and extinguish everything from a single switch or app is a genuine convenience rather than a novelty.

The tradeoffs are real, though. DSI systems require a power source—either hardwired electricity or a battery pack—which adds installation complexity and a potential failure point if the power supply is interrupted. The electronic control module is more expensive to replace than a push-button sparker, and repairs generally require more technical knowledge. Upfront, the cost difference between a push-button and a DSI-equipped fire table can range from several hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars depending on the brand and configuration.

Flame Adjustment: Where Both Systems Perform the Same

One thing worth clarifying: adjustable flame control is a function of the gas valve and control knob, not the ignition system. Whether your fire table uses push-button or electronic ignition, the flame height is adjusted the same way—by turning a rotary knob that regulates gas flow to the burner. Turning it up increases BTU output and flame height; turning it down reduces both for a quieter, more ambient effect.

This distinction matters because some buyers assume that electronic ignition means more precise or automated flame control. In most residential fire tables, it does not. Both system types give you a continuous range from low ambience to high heat output via the same mechanical valve. The ignition system determines how the flame starts and stays lit—not how finely you can tune it once it’s burning.

Some higher-end electronic systems do include programmable timers or remote-controlled gas modulation, which can let you adjust flame height from a distance. But that capability is a feature of specific premium models, not a universal property of electronic ignition.

Which System Is Right for Your Backyard?

The honest answer depends on three variables: where the table will live, who will use it, and what your budget allows.

If your fire table will sit on a residential patio where you’re always present when it’s running, a push-button system is probably sufficient. It lights reliably under normal conditions, the flame is fully adjustable, and the lower cost leaves budget for the table itself. The main discipline required is remembering to turn the gas valve off completely when you’re done—since there’s no automatic shutoff if the flame extinguishes.

If the table will be in a location with frequent wind, if it will be used by guests who may not be attentive to a flame going out, or if you simply want the added peace of mind of automatic flame sensing and gas shutoff, an electronic DSI system is the better investment. It’s also the appropriate choice for commercial settings—restaurants, resort patios, rental properties—where the fire table may be operated by people who aren’t familiar with the equipment.

Local building codes are worth checking before you buy. In some jurisdictions, flame-sensing capability is a minimum requirement for permitted gas fire features. A basic push-button system without a flame-sensing kit may not pass inspection in those areas.

For families who want a high-output table that balances simplicity with long-term durability, it’s also worth noting that some premium fire tables deliberately use match-lit or manual systems as a design philosophy—prioritizing mechanical reliability and easy component replacement over electronic convenience. The Oriflamme fire tables available at All Backyard Fun take this approach, using a straightforward control knob and long-handled lighter ignition on a burner system capable of up to 90,000 BTUs. The trade-off is deliberate: fewer electronic components to fail means a longer service life and simpler maintenance over years of use.

Whatever system you choose, the adjustable flame control—the feature most people actually care about day-to-day—works the same way across all gas fire tables. The ignition system is the starting point, not the whole experience. Getting it right just means fewer frustrations and more evenings actually spent around the fire.

If you’re still weighing options, browsing the full gas fire pit table collection at All Backyard Fun is a practical next step—the range covers multiple ignition configurations, BTU outputs, and table materials to match different patio setups and budgets.