Natural Gas vs. Propane for Outdoor Fire Features: Which Should You Choose?

Almost every fire table, fire bowl, outdoor fireplace, and gas grill we sell is available in two fuel configurations: natural gas (NG) and liquid propane (LP). Most buyers choose based on what's most convenient at their home — and that's the right approach. But there are real differences in flame performance, cost, and installation that are worth understanding before you commit.

The Core Difference: How the Fuels Are Stored

Natural gas is delivered to your home via an underground pipeline. There's no tank to refill — the supply is effectively unlimited as long as you're paying the bill. Propane is stored in a pressurized tank (typically a 20 lb cylinder for portable grills, or a 100–500 gallon tank for larger fixed installations) that must be refilled periodically.

This difference in storage drives most of the practical tradeoffs between the two fuels.

Installation Requirements

Natural Gas

Natural gas fire features require a dedicated gas line run to the installation location. In most municipalities, this work must be done by a licensed plumber or gas fitter. Running a new line from your home's gas meter to a patio location typically costs between $200 and $700 depending on distance and local labor rates. You'll also need a shutoff valve accessible at or near the fire feature. Once installed, there's nothing to refill or reconnect.

Natural gas fire tables are designed for permanent or semi-permanent installations. You won't be moving the table across the yard for a party.

Propane

Propane fire features connect to a standard tank with a hose and regulator. No professional installation is required — you attach the hose, open the valve, and the feature is ready to use. Most fire tables conceal a 20 lb propane cylinder in the base cabinet. Larger fire features can be plumbed to a buried 100+ gallon propane tank for greater capacity and a cleaner appearance.

Propane tables are inherently portable. If you want to rearrange your patio, move to a new home, or take a fire bowl to a vacation property, propane is the only practical option.

BTU Output and Flame Performance

Natural gas and propane burn differently at the molecular level. Propane contains roughly 2,500 BTU per cubic foot; natural gas contains about 1,020 BTU per cubic foot. This means propane produces more heat per unit of volume.

For outdoor fire features, this matters in one important way: propane generally produces a larger, more vigorous flame at comparable burner sizes. Natural gas flames tend to be slightly softer at the same BTU rating. Both fuels look great in a well-designed burner — the difference is noticeable side-by-side but not something most buyers would complain about in isolation.

All fire features at Oven and Ember are factory-configured for a specific fuel. Natural gas and propane versions use different orifices (the small fittings that control gas flow to the burner) — you cannot safely switch fuels by swapping components without a proper conversion kit and professional verification.

Operating Cost

Natural gas is almost always cheaper per BTU than propane. As of recent averages in the US, natural gas costs roughly $0.60–1.00 per therm (100,000 BTU), while propane costs $2.50–3.50 per gallon (approximately 91,500 BTU per gallon). Running a 60,000 BTU fire table for two hours costs roughly $0.75–1.20 on natural gas vs. $3.50–5.00 on propane.

Over a season of regular use, the cost difference is real. If you use your fire table 3–4 nights per week from May through October, natural gas will likely save you $200–400 per season compared to propane at current prices.

Convenience and Reliability

Natural gas wins on convenience once installed. There's no tank to monitor, no trips to exchange cylinders, and no interruption mid-evening because the propane ran out. The supply is consistent year-round.

Propane has one reliability consideration: in very cold temperatures (below about 0°F / -18°C), propane can lose pressure as the liquid in the tank struggles to vaporize. This is rarely a problem for fire tables used in typical outdoor conditions, but it's worth knowing if you live in an extremely cold climate and plan to use your fire feature in winter.

Which Should You Choose?

The decision is simpler than it might seem:

• You have natural gas at your home and don't mind the installation cost — choose natural gas. Lower ongoing cost and zero refill hassle are worth the upfront investment.
• You don't have natural gas service or don't want to run a new line — choose propane. It's ready to use with no professional installation.
• You want portability or flexibility — choose propane.
• You're doing a full outdoor kitchen build with a contractor already on site — add a gas line stub-out while the work is happening. It's cheap at that stage and opens up all your options.

Our Fire Features Are Available in Both Configurations

Every fire table, fire bowl, and outdoor fireplace we carry is available in natural gas and propane configurations. When you're browsing, look for the fuel type selector on the product page — or contact us if you're unsure which configuration is right for your setup. We're happy to talk through your installation situation before you order.