The Fuel Decision Comes First — Everything Else Follows
Most shoppers start their fire table search by browsing styles, sizes, and finishes. That’s understandable — a granite or hammered copper tabletop is a lot more exciting to look at than a gas fitting. But the choice between propane and natural gas quietly determines where the table can live, what it will cost to run, and whether you’ll need a licensed contractor before the first flame ever lights. Getting that decision right upfront saves a lot of backtracking.
Both fuels produce a clean, adjustable flame with no ash, no smoke, and instant on/off control. The differences aren’t about quality of experience — they’re about logistics, cost structure, and how your patio is set up today.
Here’s the core tradeoff in plain terms: propane is flexible and requires no installation, while natural gas is permanent and costs less to operate over time. Neither is objectively better. One will be clearly right for your situation once you work through the specifics.
Propane Fire Pit Tables: What You’re Actually Getting
A propane fire pit table runs on standard 20-lb LP tanks — the same style used for most backyard grills. No contractor, no gas line, no permits. You place the table, connect the regulator, and it’s ready to use. That zero-installation barrier is why propane models represent the majority of residential fire table installations in the U.S.
Portability is the other real advantage. A propane table can be repositioned on the patio, moved to a different part of the yard, or brought into storage for winter without any infrastructure change. For renters, for homeowners who rearrange their outdoor furniture seasonally, or for anyone who hasn’t committed to a permanent layout, that flexibility has genuine value.
The practical tradeoff is tank management. A 50,000-BTU table running at full output burns through a standard 20-lb tank in roughly 8 to 9 hours. At a medium flame setting, that extends to around 12 to 14 hours. Buyers who use their table several nights a week during peak season will probably go through two to four tanks per month. Propane costs roughly $2.50 to $3.00 per gallon, and a 40,000-BTU table burns approximately one gallon every two to three hours — so the math adds up over a long season.
On the BTU side, propane delivers a higher output per cubic foot than natural gas, which tends to produce a hotter, more intense flame. For shoppers who want maximum warmth on cool evenings, propane has a slight edge in raw heat performance.
Propane is the right choice if:
- Your patio doesn’t have an existing gas line
- You rent your home or move the table seasonally
- You want zero installation cost and same-day setup
- You use the fire table occasionally rather than nightly
Natural Gas Fire Pit Tables: The Case for Permanent Installation
A natural gas fire pit table connects directly to your home’s gas supply line. There’s no tank to monitor, no trips to the exchange station, and no mid-evening interruption when the propane runs low. You turn the knob and the flame is there — indefinitely.
The ongoing fuel cost is the strongest argument for natural gas. Natural gas is significantly cheaper per BTU than propane. On a per-million-BTU basis, natural gas tends to run around $6.50 versus roughly $28 for propane at current U.S. prices. That gap compounds quickly if the table runs multiple nights per week. Industry estimates generally put the break-even point — where the lower fuel cost offsets the installation expense — somewhere in the range of four to six years for regular users. For homeowners who run their fire table heavily from spring through fall, natural gas often makes financial sense over the long term.
The installation cost is the main barrier. Running a gas line typically requires a licensed contractor for trenching, permits, and a utility inspection. Depending on how far the line needs to run from your meter, that adds roughly $200 to $800 or more to the total project cost. That’s a real number, and it means natural gas only makes sense if the table is staying in one location permanently.
One practical note: natural gas burners tend to operate at a slightly higher audible level than their propane counterparts — a minor detail, but worth knowing before purchase.
Natural gas is the right choice if:
- You have an existing outdoor gas line or plan to install one
- The table will stay in a fixed, permanent location
- You use the fire table frequently — multiple nights per week
- Long-term operating cost matters more than upfront simplicity
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Propane | Natural Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Installation required | None | Yes — licensed contractor |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher (gas line install: $200–$800+) |
| Fuel cost per BTU | Higher (~$28/million BTU) | Lower (~$6.50/million BTU) |
| BTU output | Slightly higher per cubic foot | Slightly lower per cubic foot |
| Portability | Yes — move freely | No — fixed location |
| Fuel supply | Tank-dependent; requires refills | Continuous from home gas line |
| Setup time | Minutes | Days (contractor scheduling) |
| Best for | Occasional use, flexibility | Frequent use, permanent install |
One detail that doesn’t show up in most comparison charts: some fire tables ship propane-ready and can be converted to natural gas later with a conversion kit. That option is worth factoring in if you’re not sure about your long-term setup — it lets you start with propane and switch when (or if) you run a gas line.
What This Means for Oriflamme Fire Tables Specifically
All Backyard Fun is the exclusive online distributor of Oriflamme fire tables — a line built in the U.S. and engineered specifically for the dual-fuel question. Every Oriflamme model ships propane-ready, with standard 20-lb LP tanks hidden inside the base for a clean, uncluttered look. The larger models (42", 48", and rectangle sizes) use a dual hidden tank system that delivers up to 24 hours of burn time before a refill is needed — which takes the sting out of the tank-management concern for most users.
For homeowners who want to convert later, a natural gas conversion kit is available separately, allowing the same table to switch fuel sources without replacing the unit. On natural gas, Oriflamme’s proprietary edge-to-edge burner design reaches up to 90,000 BTU — noticeably higher than the 75,000 BTU rating on propane for the same models. That bump in output is a meaningful difference for large patios or exposed settings where wind is a factor.
If you’re browsing the full fire tables collection, each product page lists BTU ratings for both fuel types, so you can compare directly before deciding. Models like the Savanna Stone, Glacier Stone, Blackstone, and Mediterranean Rectangle are all available in configurations that support either fuel path.
The Honest Recommendation
If your patio doesn’t have a gas line and you’re not planning to install one, choose propane. The setup is immediate, the cost is lower upfront, and the performance is strong — especially if you select a model with a built-in hidden tank system that removes the visual clutter of an exposed cylinder.
If you already have an outdoor gas connection, or you’re doing a full outdoor kitchen build where a line is already being run, natural gas is the better long-term investment. The fuel savings are real, the convenience of never running out mid-evening is real, and the higher BTU ceiling on most dual-fuel tables is a bonus.
For buyers who are genuinely uncertain — maybe you’re moving in the next year or two, or you’re renting but plan to buy — propane with a convertible table is the most flexible path. You’re not locked in, and you’re not overpaying for infrastructure you might not use.
The fuel type won’t make or break the ambiance. A well-designed fire table with the right BTU output for your space will look and feel excellent on either fuel. The decision is really about how your patio is wired today and how you plan to use the table over the next several years.
