How to Light a Gas Fire Table

A gas fire table should light in seconds. If yours doesn't, something is off — and it's almost always one of a handful of fixable issues. This guide covers the standard ignition process for both propane and natural gas fire tables, explains what to do when it won't light, and gives you a quick troubleshooting checklist for the most common problems.

Before You Light: Safety First

Gas fire tables are safe appliances when used correctly. Before every lighting, run through this quick mental checklist:

• Is the fire table positioned at least 3 feet from any combustible surface — furniture, wood decking, overhead structures, or vegetation?
• Is the area around the burner clear of debris, leaves, or other flammable material?
• Is the fire table on a level surface?
• For propane: is the tank adequately filled?
• Are children and pets at a safe distance before you ignite?

If you use your fire table on a wood deck, review our guide on using a gas fire table on a wood deck to confirm your setup is safe.

How to Light a Propane Fire Table

The lighting sequence for a propane fire table is straightforward. Follow these steps exactly:

1. Open the propane tank valve. Turn the valve counterclockwise (the universal direction for opening gas valves) until it stops. Don't overtighten in the open direction — a half to one full counterclockwise turn past snug is sufficient for most residential tanks.
2. Allow a few seconds for gas to reach the burner. On first use of the day or after the tank was disconnected, gas needs a moment to travel through the regulator and supply hose to the burner.
3. Turn the control knob to the "ignite" or "pilot" position. Most fire tables have a control knob that you turn to light the pilot or initiate ignition. Look for a spark symbol or the word "ignite" on the knob face.
4. Press and hold the control knob in, then press the igniter button. You should hear a click and see the burner ignite within 1–2 clicks. Continue holding the knob in for 15–30 seconds after ignition to allow the thermocouple or thermopile to heat up. If you release too soon, the safety valve will close and the flame will go out.
5. Release the knob slowly. If the flame stays lit, you're good. Adjust the flame height to your preference using the control knob.
6. Replace the fire glass or lava rock if you removed it for cleaning. The fire media should cover the burner ports but not be piled so deep that it restricts gas flow.

How to Light a Natural Gas Fire Table

Natural gas fire tables use the same ignition sequence as propane models with one key difference: there's no tank to open. Instead, gas is supplied by a permanent line with a dedicated shutoff valve near the table.

1. Locate the shutoff valve on the gas line. It should be within 6 feet of the fire table. Turn it to the open position (valve handle parallel to the pipe).
2. Wait 10–15 seconds for gas to reach the burner, especially if the valve has been closed for an extended period.
3. Follow the same ignition sequence as the propane steps above: turn to ignite/pilot, press and hold the knob, click the igniter, hold for 15–30 seconds after ignition, then release slowly.

If you haven't yet decided between natural gas and propane for your outdoor features, our comparison guide on natural gas vs. propane covers the key trade-offs.

Manual Lighting: When the Igniter Fails

Electronic igniters fail. Batteries die, electrodes corrode, and sometimes the spark just won't catch. Most gas fire tables can be manually lit as a backup option.

To light manually:

1. Have a long-reach lighter or fireplace matches ready before opening the gas.
2. Turn the gas on at the source (tank valve or line shutoff).
3. Hold the lighter flame near the burner ports.
4. Turn the control knob to the pilot or ignite position and press it in.
5. The burner should light immediately. Hold the knob in for 15–30 seconds as normal.

Never open the gas and wait before bringing a flame near the burner. Gas accumulating in the burner pan before ignition creates a flash risk. Have the ignition source ready first, or shut everything off and wait 5+ minutes if you've accidentally let gas accumulate.

Troubleshooting: Why Won't My Fire Table Light?

If your fire table won't ignite, work through these causes in order:

1. Empty or low propane tank. This is the most common cause of failure on propane models. Lift the tank — an empty 20 lb tank weighs about 17 lbs; full is about 37 lbs. You can also pour warm water down the side of the tank and feel where the water changes from warm to cool — that's the liquid propane level.

2. Gas not turned on. Confirm the tank valve or line shutoff is fully open. A partially open valve reduces flow pressure and may prevent ignition.

3. Dead igniter battery. Push-button igniters on fire tables typically run on AA or AAA batteries. Check and replace. Most igniter modules are accessible by removing a small cover on the control panel.

4. Corroded or dirty igniter electrode. The electrode tip should be clean and positioned 3–6mm from the burner. Use fine steel wool or a small wire brush to clean light corrosion. If the electrode is heavily corroded or the porcelain insulator is cracked, replace the electrode.

5. Clogged burner ports. Spider webs, dust, and insect nests are notorious for clogging burner ports over winter or during periods of non-use. Remove the fire media and inspect the burner surface. Clear any clogged ports with a fine wire or compressed air.

6. Overfilled fire media. Fire glass or lava rock piled too deep over the burner restricts gas flow and prevents proper ignition. The burner ports should be lightly covered, not buried.

7. Safety valve not staying open (thermocouple issue). If the flame lights and then goes out when you release the knob, the thermocouple isn't getting hot enough to signal the safety valve to stay open. Hold the knob in for a full 30–45 seconds after ignition before releasing. If it consistently fails to stay lit, the thermocouple may need replacement.

8. Regulator lockout (propane only). Gas regulators have a safety feature that locks them out when they detect a downstream leak or rapid pressure drop. If the regulator is in lockout, you'll get very low or no gas flow. To reset: turn off the tank valve, disconnect the regulator hose, wait 30 seconds, reconnect, and reopen the valve very slowly. A slow valve opening resets the regulator without triggering lockout.

Shutting Down the Fire Table

Turning off a fire table is simpler than lighting it:

1. Turn the control knob to the off position. The flame will extinguish immediately.
2. For propane: close the tank valve by turning it clockwise until snug. This prevents small amounts of gas from slowly releasing through the regulator during extended periods of non-use.
3. For natural gas: closing the dedicated shutoff valve after each use is optional but good practice if the table won't be used for several days.

Never leave a gas fire table running unattended or overnight. Even with automatic safety shutoffs, unattended gas appliances pose a risk.

Regular Maintenance Keeps It Reliable

A fire table that's properly maintained will light reliably season after season. The most important habits: keep the burner ports clear, replace the igniter battery annually as a preventive measure, inspect the gas connections at the start of each season, and follow a regular maintenance schedule to catch minor issues before they become lighting failures.

Ready to add a fire table to your outdoor space? Browse our full range of GFRC fire tables — all designed for straightforward operation and reliable ignition season after season.