Wood or Gas Burning Fire Pit? Which is Best?
With warm weather finally here, you’re looking forward to installing a great new fire pit out in the backyard and spending lots of relaxing evenings with family and friends. It might be a spontaneous request from the kids to have s’ mores or maybe it’s a big summer soiree for the whole neighborhood. Whatever the occasion, a glowing, crackling fire always adds a little enchantment to your Rock Valley, Iowa home.
But first, you need to decide on what type of fire pit fits best: wood burning or gas. A fire pit is essentially a fancy campground fire ring fueled by firewood, liquid propane, or natural gas. Ultimately, much of the decision comes down to personal choice—are you of more rustic mind or convenience? Let’s take a look at some considerations to keep in mind.
Wood vs. Gas—The Ups and the Downs
Your fire pit needs available fuel and where you live can have a significant bearing on your property’s accouterments. If your Sioux Center, Iowa home is located near a woods filled with accessible firewood, a wood burning fire pit would be a great choice. But don’t forget about the time involved—a substantial pile of split and stacked wood requires a great deal of effort. Sure, you can order a load of wood but you still have to stack it, store it, and keep things in order.
A suburban home likely has a gas line already in place so available fuel isn’t a problem. Simply hook it up and you’re all set. However, you need to ensure the fuel can be consistently sourced from the fire pit and the LP truck needs delivery access.
Fire Pit Installation
A wood-burning fire pit can typically be installed in about half the time as a gas-burning option; you just need design and material. Gas-burning units require professional connection of a supply line and routing from the supply to the pit. This can be arduous and expensive if the fire pit and supply are not in close proximity.
You also need a place to store the fuel for a gas-burning pit. This might be just a small tank under 20 gallons or an imposing 100-gallon tank. A big tank isn’t especially attractive so you’ll want to hide behind a structure or creative landscaping. Always consider storage needs when planning for wood- or gas-burning fire pit options.
Convenience and Safety
You can’t beat a gas-burning fire pit for convenience. Your Rock Valley, Iowa backyard can have the glow of a fire with the flip of a switch and they burn clean. Keep in mind potential gas line leaks, although that is rare if properly installed. Another perk is your clothes won’t smell like wood smoke.
Wood fires take a bit more effort to get going and then you have to keep stoking them. It’s part of the experience but it also means cleaning up more often and you need to watch for wayward sparks and wind-blown embers. Wood fires also bring that extra bit of ambiance.
Both options have their advantages but either way, your new fire pit will soon become the highlight of your backyard summer.