For homeowners

Types of fire pit: which fuel fits your yard?

It depends on the fuel and what you already have: Gas fire pit (natural gas or propane) suits converting an existing fire ring or pit (EPA: kits that convert existing fire rings and pits to natural gas or propane burners are available). The right choice depends on whether you already have a fire ring or pit to convert, whether you would burn wood on air quality alert days, and whether anyone would pour liquid or gel fuel near a flame.

How we know: By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. · Sources read: 22 October 2026 · Updated 27 October 2026

The tabletop firepot row covers what U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission staff (2015) call portable liquid or gel fueled fireplaces, sold as firepots, personal fireplaces or tabletop fireplaces: devices that "maintain a flame over the surface of an open, fuel-filled reservoir." The CPSC lines are staff recommendations, not rules in force.
Type	Best for	Main advantages	Main drawbacks
Wood-burning fire pit	no official source names one	no official source names one	EPA: outdoor recreational fires can become a considerable source of fine-particle air pollution, especially in some metro areas; EPA: never burn wood during air quality alert days; EPA: burn only seasoned, dry wood; USFA: use a metal screen over wood-burning fires to keep sparks from floating out
Gas fire pit (natural gas or propane)	converting an existing fire ring or pit (EPA: kits that convert existing fire rings and pits to natural gas or propane burners are available)	EPA: switching from wood to natural gas or propane reduces harmful air pollutants	no official source names one
Tabletop gel or liquid fuel firepot	no official source names one	no official source names one	CPSC staff (2015): "The most prevalent scenario with the worst injuries occurred while pouring or immediately after pouring fuel into the open reservoir."; CPSC staff (2015): though used much like candles or outdoor torches, these products "present different and more severe hazards"; CPSC staff (2015) recommended this warning label: "NEVER add fuel to a hot appliance"

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Sources for the facts on this page

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Burn Wise: Backyard recreational fires, government, read 22 October 2026.
U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), Outdoor fire safety outreach materials, government, read 22 October 2026.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission staff, recommendations to the UL 1370 Standards Technical Panel on portable liquid or gel fueled fireplaces (2015), government, read 22 October 2026.