A propane fire column provides crackling flames, stunning looks and cozy ambient heat. When placed front and center, it’ll truly add a touch of elegance to any backyard entertainment area. Folks and easily gather around to view the dancing flames or warm their hands on a chilly fall afternoon. Whichever way you look at it, they are downright cool, and very space and cost effective.
If you’re after that high-end patio look, a couple of gas fire columns will truly make a difference. Much more visible than a simple fire pit, they elevate (no pun intended) your outdoor experience. Our favorite by far is the Red Ember Patio Fire Pit Bowl. With incredible stonework, intricate details and a burner that will put others to shame, it is simply breathtaking. If instead your after a budget option, the Endless Summer GLT1332SP would also make for a great choice
Best Propane Fire Column – Red Ember Patio Fire Pit Bowl
- Dimensions: 21L x 21W x 29.1H inches
- Uses standard liquid propane gas tanks
Red Ember has a ton of great fire column designs available. Our favorite however, is the Stone-like Outdoor Patio Fire Pit Bowl. With a 30,000 BTU burner, included natural lava rocks and a protective cover, it’s ready to go out of the box. We love the natural stone look and how it compliments nearly any piece of existing patio decor. The pulse ignition also makes lighting and adjusting the flame of this pedestal fire pit extremely easy.
No matter which way you look at it, this propane fire column oozes luxury. If you want the same performance, but a different design, three alternative options are available from rival Bond Manufacturing. The tropical theme Fairhave, the more modern Morgan Hill and the Tiki themed Sonoma. While these are a bit pricey, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.
Propane Fire Column Buyers Guide
Buying a propane fire column is half personal preference and half an informed decision. As such, we’ll go over a few of the common questions that are asked. Plus we’ll cover a variety of topics that’ll help you choose the right fire pit for your specific patio. Whether that’s materials, size or BTU ratings you’ll have a great idea of what to choose.
How tall is a typical propane fire column?
A typical propane fire column is 30” high. Or right around there at least. This is a perfect height to where the flames are at hand level but won’t block line of sight. If your after a visually appealing gas fire column, this is the height to get. Fire pits are typically half as tall while true patio heaters are nearly double.
How fast do they go through a bottle of propane?
This question depends on the BTU rating of your specific burner and the size of your propane bottle. A typical 20 pound tank in an average size unit, let’s say 40,000 BTU’s will last around 6 hours on high and perhaps 10 hours on low. A smaller 1 lb tank and a 10,000 BTU burner will last 2 hours on high and 6 on low. As you can see, there can be a ton of variance between burners and tank capacity so it’s hard to give you an exact number.
Proper care for a gas fire column
When it comes to properly caring for a new fire pit column, the best thing you can do is keep it covered. Aside from that a bit of touch up paint will do wonders after a hard year. Other than that, there isn’t much to it. After all, simple and easy maintenance is always the best.
Does a propane fire column provide much heat?
A large gas fire column can provide heat that goes to about a 5 or a 6 foot radius. That is, of course, assuming it has a 40,000 BTU burner or higher. If you’ve instead opted for a smaller fire column with a 10,000 BTU burner, you can expect only minimal heat. Even this small amount of heat will only reach a foot or two beyond the fire. So in other words, if you want heat grab a bigger unit. If you want visuals only, a smaller one will do just fine.
Can I use a fire column inside or under a patio cover?
The short answer is yes, you can use a propane fire column under a patio cover. You just need to keep it away from the walls. Also make sure the ceiling isn’t too low. 7’ or higher should do the trick. The reason for this is all the heat of a fire pit goes out the top. As such, that will be where it gets the hottest.
Best Propane Fire Columns Detailed Reviews
Buying a propane fire column is a fun and exciting time for any backyard enthusiast. With limitless colors, styles, and configurations, half the fun is just browsing around. We’ve put together the below list so you can quickly and easily scan a wide variety of options and know that they’ll perform. So dive in and get those flames burning faster!
#1 Red Ember Propane Fire Pit Bowl
- Dimensions: 21L x 21W x 29.1H inches
- Uses standard liquid propane gas tanks
Stunning, powerful and durable and the best way we can describe the Red Ember Propane Fire Pit Bowl. This is an absolutely wonderful unit that’s packed to the gills with features. From it’s 40,000 BTU burner to the intuitive pulse ignition switch, it is designed extremely well.
The natural looking stones give it that traditional fire pit feel for a cozy atmosphere. Additionally, the elevate fire bowl provides extra visual appeal and makes for a standout patio centerpiece. Whether you like entertaining friends, relaxing after a long day at work or simply staring into flickering flames, this pedestal firebowl is a dream come true.
Let’s get down and dirty with our #1 pick for the best propane fire column available. The base column is made from lightweight, yet extremely durable patented envirostone. This material is damn near perfect for the outdoors. It is weather resistant, rain proof and extremely long lasting. Plus, it’s light enough you can move it around if necessary.
On the subject of stones, the Red Ember Propane Fire Pit Bowl also includes a full set of natural lava rocks. This helps to disperse flames from the propane burner. Plus, they absorb heat and keep the ambient air a bit warmer. If you opt to replace it with elegant fire glass instead, you’ll need about 15 pounds of it to fill up the bowl and burner.
Beautiful!!! We literally took this out of the box- and had it running in about 25 minutes! It’s gorgeous-and adds to the ambiance of our porch!
User Review
The burner itself is made from solid 304 stainless steel. It can pump out an impressive 40,000 BTU’s of heat for a toasty warm, and beautiful, patio. Assuming you’re using a standard 20 pound propane tank, you’ll get 6 hours of runtime on high and 10 on low. This is perfect for an evening of entertaining guests or seme self relaxation.
Once you’re ready to light the fire column, a simple twist of the pulse ignition switch is all you’ll need to do. Afterwards, the secondary flame adjustment knob can control the flame height. Both of the control are located on the base’s exterior for easy access.
Related Link: Add a tropical touch to your patio with an outdoor artificial palm tree
One of the cool things about gas fire columns is the propane tank is hidden inside the unit. Unlike a typical fire pit which would require a decorative propane tank cover. The Red Ember Propane Fire Pit Bowl can hold a standard 20 pound propane tank inside with ease. A simple side access door lets you access and replace the tank without fuss.
Speaking of the side door, it’s the only item you’ll need to assemble. Just snap it in place and you’ll be good to go. The rest of the propane fire column comes pre-assembled straight out of the box. It also comes with a lightweight beige cover and leveling feet for added weather protection and uneven surfaces.
When you throw in the fact this unit comes pre-installed with a propane hose and can be used under a completed outdoor patio sunroom kit, it is a true winner. Also, keep in mind, it’s offered in four different styles to fit any existing decor.
Overall, the Red Ember Propane Fire Pit Bowl is a stunning example of a propane fire column done right. It’s got the height, looks and performance to make a stunning addition to your patio. When compared to what you get, the price is also very reasonable. If you want to impress the neighbors, this will certainly do the trick.
#2 Troy Outdoor 19 Liquid Propane Fire Column
- The Christopher Knight Home chesney fire column, featuring 40, 000 BTU, is a wonderful addition to any patio
- This fire column is sure to provide you and all of your guests with warmth for those mild summer nights
If you prefer a darker, more refined stone fire column, the Troy Outdoor 19 Liquid Propane Fire Column is a match made in heaven. With rustic brown and tan stones offset by a dark charcoal colored base and fire bowl, it looks incredible. The roaring flames easily add over a foot of height to this already tall pedestal.
This unit was clearly engineered with durability and longevity in mind. From the selection of long lasting materials to the stainless steel burner, everything is very high quality. Plus, with zero required assembly, you won’t even need to be DIY savvy to get this up and running. Sit back, relax and enjoy the roaring flames with your new patio centerpiece.
Let’s start out with the most important aspect of any propane fire column, the flame. You’ll find the Troy Outdoor 19 Liquid Propane Fire Column comes with a built in electronic igniter and flame control knob for enhanced safety. This lets you quickly light the unit and prevent wasted propane. The control knob allows you to adjust the flame to your desired height. On low you can expect 10-11 hours of runtime, when you switch to high you might get 6 or 7. Either way it’s enough for a night or two of evening fun.
Reviewers were also pleased to note this unit comes with a UV resistant cover. This will keep rain, wind and UV rays away from your fire column. If left uncovered, over time, the paint can flake off and some of the controls may begin to rust. As such, we recommend you always cover this unit when not in use. Lava rocks are also included to finish off the high end look. If preferable you can replace them with more modern fire glass.
OMG I wish I would have seen this a few years ago! Just glad I got it now. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! So perfect for a smaller outside deck and keeps things great/warm when I have it on. Easy to put together too!! Love the item will easily recommend this item to anyone that asks!!
User Review
When it comes to top notch materials, this unit can go toe to toe with the best. It’s made from cast resin for an extremely durable exterior. The extra weight of the resin also goes a long way to keeping the unit stable in high winds. Plus, with zero carbon steel on the base, it won’t rust and stain you deck or patio.
As with most propane fire columns, this one is designed such that a 20 pound propane tank can be hidden underneath. This really sells the high end look and is great for smaller patios. The access door has bottom hinges so you can easily get the tank in and out. Frankly put, for the price, this thing looks stunning in every way.
Related Link: Pairs perfectly with an outdoor BBQ Island for a luxury patio
Finally you’ll find the unit has got to convenient carrying hand holes. These also double as ventilation to keep everything nice and aired out. When you add on to that the zero required assembly it’s easy to see just why so many people prefer this over some more expensive models.
Overall, the Troy Outdoor 19 Liquid Propane Fire Column is a sophisticated and upscale patio addition. It’s big, bold and perfect for those cold fall nights. If you like the darker look, earth tone stones and large flame profile, it definitely a great choice.
#3 Red Ember Coronado Propane Fire Column – Best Small Propane Fire Column
- Realistic resin stone construction
- Includes stainless steel burner and lava rock
If you’re looking for a great small propane fire column that fits perfectly into corners, the Red Ember Coronado is an ideal choice. With a super small form factor and a tiny price tag, you can spread a few of these around for some excellent ambient lighting. While they don’t produce much heat, they are exactly what your after if you just want some firelight and to impress guests.
Just imagine walking out to the flickering for four individual fire columns around your patio. Their yellow dancing flames reflecting off the ceiling and casting peaceful shadows on the ground. Most folks opt to grab these in pairs for just that reason. One isn’t quite enough to fully appreciate their beauty. However if you add 2 or 4 to your outdoor space, it’ll truly come alive.
The Red Ember Coronado Propane Fire Column is small, and proud of it. It perfectly fills a niche that most fire pits completely ignore. Sometimes having the right small details, such as this unit, scattered around your patio makes all the difference. With a 15,000 BTU burner you’ll get just the right amount of light to enhance an outdoor space.
While the small burner won’t produce a ton of heat to keep you comfortable in the winter, it’ll certainly sip fuel. This unit uses those small 1 pound propane bottles, commonly found on camp stoves. A full bottle will give it about 2 hours of run time. Folks have modified 5 pound bottles as well for slightly longer parties.
Got this as a birthday present for my wife and she loves it. It looks fantastic and is a perfect size. The propane tank is very easy to attach and completely hidden from view. It is simple to light and gives off a little heat on a cool night.
User Review
However, due to the small fuel usage, you’ll also have a much smaller flame. As such, we recommend that you keep this out of direct wind. Otherwise, you risk this flame being blown out with a larger gust. A patio corner or near a wall are both great places to position this small fire column
Reviewers were quick to point out that this unit does not ship with a cover. While not a deal breaker it is something to take note of. Typically these units will have drastically reduced outdoor longevity if left uncovered. As such, we recommend you buy a 3rd party cover to protect your investment.
Related Link: Since these don’t provide much light and extra outdoor chandelier might make a good addition as well.
Durability wise though, this unit is still quite capable. It’s made from realistic resin cast stones. These are seamless and much less prone to cracking that real stones. Plus, they are lighter and really help keep the price down. The wide resin base is also great for improved stability and keeps and kids or dogs from easily pushing it over.
Overall, the Red Ember Coronado Propane Fire Column is a small yet mighty addition to this list. It won’t heat up your space or provide flames for roasting marshmallows, but it will add some great visual appeal. If you’re after a smaller fire column that won’t break the bank, look no further.
#4 Grey Ledgestone Propane Fire Column – Best Modern Propane Fire Column
- Finish: Gray
- Material: heat-resistant fiber cast concrete
Up until now, most of the fire columns we’ve reviewed have been more traditional looking. The Grey Ledgestone Propane Fire Column is the first to buck this trend. With modern glass panels, stylish grey stone and a stunning overall look, it’s a thing of beauty. There is something to be said for the understated allure of stones and flames. Yet, once those glass panels are thrown into the mix, everything is taken to the next level.
As with our #3 pick, this unit is on the small side. While still as tall as a standard propane fire column, it is much thinner and only takes smaller 1 lb propane tank. That means it’s perfect for smaller spaces. Plus, it won’t get in the way when your entertaining guests and will only help accentuate your patio decor.
Most smaller fire columns use standard 1 lb or 5 lb propane bottles. They are much easier to carry around, are cheaper and easier to install. The only downside is they don’t last as long. However, these types of unit, like this one, use a small 10,000 BTU burner to really stretch out the fuel. On low, you can expect about six and a half hours of flame. With the flames cranked up to the max, 2 hours is a bit more realistic. As such, we’d recommend you have a few bottles ready for a night long event.
The propane bottles are installed through a hidden door. This door is located on the base of the unit and nearly invisible when closed. Once the propane bottle is installed (using the hose pre-assembled to the fire column) a quick twist of the automatic igniter is all that’s required to get it up and running. The controls are on the unit’s exterior to make them easier to find and use.
Very nice and great looking. Classy.
User Review
One of the things we really like about this unit is the CSA approval. This means you can use it during droughts and burn bans. Many of the other options, even ones on this list don’t have that and you’ll have to keep them off if things get too dry. The flame dial selector on the side control panel lets you precisely control the flame size for enhanced safety as well.
So, we’ve already mentioned just how good this looks with just the stone and flames. But what if there was even more. The Grey Ledgestone Propane Fire Column comes standard with top of the line black glass flame pebbles. The flames jump and reflect off these in wonderful patterns. In our opinion, they are far superior to lava rocks and more on par with fire glass. They add a modern twist to this incredible unit.
Add onto that the four glass panels and you’ll feel like you just stepped into a 5 star resort. In case you have any doubts about the unit, it ships with a 1 year limited warranty. What this means for you is some peace of mind. If something prematurely breaks, you’ll be covered. However the leveling feet will at least stop it from falling over, so you can cross that off your list of worries.
Overall, this is a stunning modern fire pedestal. It’s got the looks, performance and style for even the most high class of patios. While it isn’t as big as some of our other options, it more than makes up for it with an enhanced warranty and luxury appeal. If your on a moderate budget, but don’t want to compromise, get this one and don’t look back.
#5 Endless Summer, GLT1332SP, LP Gas Outdoor Fireplace – Best Budget Propane Fire Column
- 10,000 BTU stainless steel burner
- Hidden control panel with electronic ignition
When elegant design meets high performance, the Endless Summer GLT1332SP is born. As the best budget propane fire column on the market it’s very wallet friendly, yet doesn’t compromise on features. This small form factor fire column boasts a 10,000 BTU burner, integrated flame controls and an incredible design with the lost price on our list.
While it won’t heat up an entire room, even a small one, it is very pretty to look at. The dancing flames simply have a way of drawing you in and catching your attention. We particularly like the expanding look with the top being larger than the base. This gives it an eye catching appearance that is sure to impress the neighbors.
Let’s start this review off right by taking a look at the unit exterior. The Endless Summer GLT1332SP is available in two different colors. A black and brown option depending on your preference. Both share the same design so you won’t need to worry about small changes there. The brown is better if you like a more earthy and tradition look. Meanwhile, the black is perfect for a more modern patio look.
No matter which design you choose both come with a 10,000 BTU stainless steel burner. The stainless steel helps to prevent rust and allow the burner to function in an outdoor environment. The burner is controlled via a hidden control panel which boasts electronic ignition. The easy-to-use igniter makes lighting the unit a breeze with zero hassle.
You’ll find that while the unit does not come with an included cover, (boo!) it does include some wonderful black fire glass. This gives it an extremely refined look that will seriously improve your patio’s overall look.
As with most compact fire columns, this option runs on a 1 pound propane tank. While it won’t last as long as a full sized options, it’ll still do the trick. You can expect the tank to run for 2.5 hours on high and around 4 hours on low. This gives you enough juice to last for an evening of fun. Because tanks of this size are disposable you can pick them up for fairly cheap as well.
When it comes time to replace the tank, it’s quite easy. There is a side access panel that you can remove to get access to the tank. The tank couples directly to the burner and is simply threaded on, no hoses or regulators required. Keep in mind that the tanks can be a bit cumbersome to get mounted though. You’ll need to align the center pin and push up a little to get it to thread into place.
One of the great things about these smaller units is that they can be used under a covered patio. So if you’ve got a patio sunroom kit pre-installed it’ll be no issue. Though we would warn you not to place the propane fire column too close to the walls for fear of them melting.
Some reviewers also wanted to point out that the bottom of the unit is hollow. This is to allow for ventilation and to make sure the propane bottle can fit. It does not detract from the overall stability of the unit at all.
Overall, the Endless Summer GLT1332SP is budget propane fire column for a modern patio. It’s got a top notch burner, albeit a bit small, and a stunning design. If you’re looking for a starter unit, this will certainly make for a great choice. Even if it’s your first one, it’ll do wonders for improving the overall look of your backyard.
Summary
A propane fire column is a great, easy to install, patio improvement. It’ll add a ton of visual appeal and really make your patio design stand out. Of all the fire columns we’ve reviewed and researched, the Bond Manufacturing Newcastle Propane Firebowl is overall the best. It’s a bit pricey, but it is worth every penny. With an incredible design, powerful burner and superb support it is stunning to look at and own. Whichever option you choose, you can rest assured it’ll work perfectly and last for years to come.
If you’ve already taken a step to upgrade your patio, you might as well go the distance a grab a full BBQ island to finish the look. Or perhaps a Kamado Joe Table is a better option if your into old fashion BBQing. Either way, you best get cookin’!
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