Small narrow spaces like a balcony or backyard can be converted into your comfortable spot for interaction with the help of a small fire pit table.
Whether a conventional bonfire in your favorite place or an elegant fire pit table on the terrace or patio, fire generates a warm and friendly setting for gatherings with those you love.
But how do you decide effectively when there are so many possibilities?
Here we’ll go over the key advantages and disadvantages of multiple popular varieties of fire pit tables.
Your particular outdoor area will stay comfortable and warm throughout the year with the inclusion of an exclusive fire pit table. We also help find the ideal choice for those who enjoy a good fire!
For perfect fire pit recommendations read our blog post on the best fire pits of 2025.
TL;DR
- For maximum safety and proper distance from building components and sitting, assess the area where you want to set your fire pit table.
- Fire pit tables that operate on natural gas, bioethanol, or propane are the most beneficial options for little outdoor areas. There are also wood-burning and gel-fueled pit tables for your small area. Before creating and activating your small fire pit table, review the certified user manual.
- To avoid potential penalties and fire pit safety risks, stay informed about your local fire rules and regulations.
Assessing Your Compact Space
Here are a few things you have to do before installing a little fire table in your home.
Measuring Your Space
Measure the exact dimensions of the place where you want to set up your fire pit table with measuring tape. Also, pay specific attention to the available space for seating.
Fire pit tables often come in several sizes, so precise measurements will assist you pick a small fire pit table that is both secure and cozy.
Measuring the Fire pit area
Local Regulations and Safety
Nobody wants to burn down their outdoor space accidentally and it ends up on the news.
Understand about regional laws and safety rules in your area. Local safety regulations can vary greatly from one location to another. Additionally, they might differ according to the season.
Some communities have limitations on the type of fire pit you may build, the fuels you can utilize, and even the distance of the fire pit from nearby structures.
You can avoid future penalties while offering an enjoyable and secure atmosphere for people to get together by staying aware of your local fire laws.
Photograph by Morton County, ND
Small Fire Pit Table Types
The conventional patio fire pit has paved the way to fire pit tables. Knowing which of the numerous fire pit table alternatives is ideal for you is important.
You can select the type that best suits your tastes and available space because each has pros and downsides.
Before utilizing the fire pit table of your choice, make sure you refer to the manufacturer’s original user manual.
- Propane Fire Pit Tables
These fire pit tables show the following rating for various features.
Heat score: 4/5
Maintenance Score: 4/5
Safety Score: 5/5
For individuals who need control and versatility over their backyard fire experience, propane fire pit tables are an appealing choice.
Propane generates between 40,000 to 150,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units), ensuring it is cleaner and more highly energy-efficient than natural gas.
You don’t have to stress If you are unaware of a BTU before now. In simple terms, BTUs are a recognized unit of evaluation of heat content. A hotter fire yields higher BTUs.
Whereas some propane fire pit tables have a top lid that can be turned into a side table, some have the fuel tank placed inside the table.
The supply line linking the propane tank to the fire pit table will be exposed to tables that have no covering for the gas tank within the table.
Some prefer to conceal this hose by wrapping it with a rug for the yard. The specific features of such fire tables are:
- Electric remote ignition and flame level control.
- An array of trendy patterns that fit your outdoor decor items.
- Choose the one that most effectively matches your space considering its varying weight and dimensions.
- Propane storage containers, usually weighing 20 pounds, are simple to access and replaceable when they’re fully empty.
Propane fire pit tables are an excellent way to achieve both convenience and utility. They are quite lightweight and don’t need separate natural gas connections.
Another benefit is that they are among the more secure solutions for little outside areas.
Outland Living Yaletown Fire Table
Costway Round Fire Pit
- Natural Gas Small Fire Pit Tables
The ranking scale of such fire pit tables are
Safety Score: 4/5
Heat score: 3/5
Maintenance Score: 4/5
A wonderful simple-to-maintain option to add flair and a trustworthy source of heating is a natural gas fire pit table. They serve as an effective fuel source as they are directly associated with your home’s natural gas supply using an external connection.
You must work with an expert who can set up a natural gas fire pit table if you would like to get one but have no access to an outdoor natural gas connection.
The gas lines should not be messed with if you do not want your house being blown up.
One limitation of natural gas’s comfort is that it solely generates between 30,000 and 60,000 BTUs, which is just under half the energy efficiency of propane.
Additionally, in contrast to propane, natural gas is less pure fuel source. Here are some main aspects of these fire pit tables:
- Electric remote sparking and flame intensity adjustability.
- A wide variety of modern patterns go with your outdoor household items.
- Generally massive, this sort of setting can be considered semi-permanent.
- Attached to the gas source in your house, assuring a consistent and stable flame that will never run out of fuel in the core of the social event.
A natural gas fire pit table is a fine option if the site where you wish to put it has an outlet for a natural gas connection and you consider user-friendliness.
Real Flame Baltic Fire Table
- Ethanol and Gel Fuel Fire Pit Tables
Such fire settings have the following rankings:
Heat score: 2/5
Safety Score: 3/5
Maintenance Score: 5/5
Ethanol, bioethanol, and gel fuel fire pit items offer small and versatile fire pit tables. They function on liquid ethanol or isopropyl alcohol gel fuel, which ignites cleanly and emits a stunning, real flame.
While they can be organized virtually everywhere, gel fuel and ethanol fire pit tables are extremely useful and an ideal choice for your limited space where gas or wood-burning possibilities would not be suitable.
Various gel fuel fire pit tables and fuel brands are associated with safety issues. For more details, you can see the following list of potential ethanol fire tables.
- Latest technology with modern design elements.
- A tank of gel fuel supplies about 3,000 BTUs, while bioethanol generates between 6,000 and 12,000 BTUs, based on the capacity of the fuel tray.
- As gel fuel safety issues are reported; before applying, you should review the user manual issued by the manufacturer of the product.
- There are minimal sizes that make them quick to arrange and store.
Bioethanol and gel fuel small fire pit tables are attractive and simple to use. They are a great option if you need a fire pit table that can be shifted around or stored when out of use, considering they are also the simplest to-carry choice on this list of items.
Solo Stove Wedge Bioethanol Fire Table
- Wood-burning fire Pit Tables
Its various factors have the following score of various features:
Safety Score: 3/5
Heat score: 5/5
Maintenance Score: 3/5
The real and pure beauty of a wood fire is unbeatable. Nothing matches the stink of burning outfits and quickly screaming to prevent the smoke.
Although we enjoy a good traditional outdoor fire with wood, that isn’t always an efficient choice, especially for narrow spaces like decks, terraces, and balconies.
If you want to use a wood-burning fire table, check that the area you picked has sufficient ventilation and is not excessively near any buildings. Some major properties of these classic fire pit tables are:
- The heat output in an average wood fire pit varies between 30,000 to 100,000 BTUs.
- Look about the spare area needed to adjust firewood storage.
- At night, a wood fire cannot be ended. After each usage, make sure you have an effective technique for blowing out the fire.
- For information about finding out if burning wood is allowed in your area, analyze the local burn rules, laws, and regulations.
A wood-burning small fire pit table is an appropriate solution if you agree with compromising comfort in favor of an atmosphere that is more authentic. Before finalizing a purchase, take time to know the community’s fire rules.
Solo Stove Bonfire with Fire Pit Surround accessory
Real Flame Breton Fire Pit
Choosing the Right Design
The distinctive characteristics of your outside location figure out which fire pit table design is most suitable for you. Normally, you want to choose a fire pit table that suits your home’s style and outdoor decor both visually and functionally.
The Look
Narrow spaces have great significance in usability and elegance. The intent is to gain more with less. For distinct looks, you can choose from a range of materials, shapes, and styles, such as stone, concrete, or metal.
Shape variations include square, rectangular, and round designs, each of which modifies the overall atmosphere as a whole.
Material Options
You can find an ideal small fire pit table from the given selections.
Stainless steel.
Woodland Direct Bella Fire Table
Power Coated Steel.
Real Flame Aegean Round Fire Table. photograph by Real Flame.
Real Flame Aegean Round Fire Table. photograph by Real Flame.
Real Flame Aegean Round Fire Table
Glass and Wicker
Direct Wicker Square Dining Fire Table
Glass-fiber reinforced concrete (GRC).
Elementi Square Pedestal Fire Pit Table
Ceramic top surface.
Cost Way Fire Pit Table with Ceramic Tabletop
Shape and Style
Your fire pit table’s pattern and shape ought to pair with your home’s interior design.
If you’re searching for a product with an innovative appearance, modern fire pit tables are perfect because they tend to possess elegant designs with sharp outlines.
Natural materials and an earthy look identify rustic fire pit tables, which add a sense of the wonderful outdoors to your indoor setting.
Starfire Direct Beton Fire Table
Real Flame Lanesboro Fire Table
The Feel
The natural environment that a small fire pit table yields is of greater value than its practical usage or beauty.
Imagine the relaxing setting for your guests, the comforting warmth of the flames, and the calming crackle of the fire. Such elements can turn your normal outdoor into a remarkable one.
Heat Output
Identifying an appropriate fire pit table demands a knowledge of the heat intensity stated in British Thermal Units, or BTUs.
Getting the Goldilocks effect not excessively warm, not overly cold, but just optimal requires considering the fire pit’s BTU ranking, which indicates how much heat it can release.
The temperature of the flame on some fire pit tables can be customized thus making it smoother for selecting the ideal setting for your given occasion.
- A propane fire pit table forms BTUs that lie between 40,000 to 150,000.
- A traditional natural gas fire pit table creates about 30,000 to 60,000 BTUs for your small spaces.
- Each fuel tank on a gel fuel fire pit table emits 3,000 BTUs.
- The BTUs generated in a wood-burning fire pit table vary between 30,000 to 100,000.
Fire Pit Surplus
Additional Features and Accessories
Extra benefits that optimize your outdoor experience frequently serve with fire pit tables.
One of the most significant additional aspects you should think about is a cover, which will improve the life of your fire pit table by protecting it from harsh elements while not in use.
Based on your design, a few accessories may influence whether using a fire pit table is a joyful or stressful experience.
The lighting system and seating arrangement are two key accessories that one must care about.
Whether it’s constructed benches or strategically located patio furniture, cozy seating items can give your fire pit area an inviting and comfortable spot to gather.
However, lights can create a mood that makes your outdoor paradise usable far into the night.
For more guidance, visit our page on fire pit landscaping ideas.
Propane tank cover
Fire table cover
The Cost
Cost is the primary factor for nearly all of us when we start our fire pit table purchasing. Outdoor fire pits come in a broad range of price points. To avoid facing an unnecessary financial strike, look into the above details carefully.
Budget Considerations for Small Fire Pit Table
As a buyer, you start with developing an accurate and clear budget that includes both the cost of the original purchase and ongoing expenses such as fuel type and servicing.
The burning needs of various fire pit tables can vary, which might affect recurring expenditures.
By applying these factors, you can make an informed decision that minimizes maintenance expenses, balances your budget, and aligns with your ideal fuel type.
You on a budget but still want a great fire pit setup? Check out our guide to fire pit landscaping ideas on a budget.
Maintenance and Care
Sustaining the longevity of your fire pit table needs regular care. This involves cleaning the fire pit’s surface, ensuring all the parts are in good working order, and checking for any dirt or blockage in the burner.
For the protection of your fire pit table from poor weather conditions or when not in use, think of using cover-ups or seasonal storage.
Your fire pit table’s lifetime will be greatly extended for several years to come with regular cleaning and care.
You ready to transform your backyard? Our guide to fire pit landscaping ideas has all the inspiration you need.
Final Thoughts
Finding the ideal small fire pit table for your terrace, balcony, or small patio merges beauty, functionality, and personal style.
You can make a smart choice that converts your outdoor space into a pleasant gateway of warmth and relaxation by thoroughly analyzing your available space, exploring the different kinds of fire pit tables, implementing decorative elements, and taking into account regular maintenance and budget.
FAQs
What size is a small fire pit?
The overall size of a small fire pit typically falls between 20 and 25 inches.
Are small fire pit tables worth it?
Yes, they act as a useful table surface for outdoor areas besides giving heating.
How do you make a small tabletop fire pit?
Use a thermal-resistant container that holds a small gel fuel can or burner, and fill it with lava rocks or other stones.
Are tabletop fire pits safe?
Yes, if they are carried out under supervision and possess fire-resistant surfaces, they remain safe specifically for outdoor usage.
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