It’s easy to overlook burner choices. But if you make the mistake of ignoring the burner as a factor in fire pit selection—then you’re leaving more of your fire pit’s presentation and functionality to chance.

See, the burner in your fire pit will affect how your fire pit is started. It’s the difference between running an electrical cable to your fire pit before and after every use, which would be quite a surprising inconvenience, not to mention any complications that could come from precipitation making contact with the power cable.

Also, the burner is what emits the actual flames to your fire pit. The design of your burners is key to what your fire will look like once the gas is flowing and the ignition activated—whether it’s the formation of the flames, the height, the shape, and how much heat is emitted.

So, before you pick out your favorite fire pit, we recommend taking a few minutes to learn about how a burner works and why it’s important to your installation.  

HOW DO BURNERS WORK?

A fire pit burner is a device that sends fuel into the gas fire pit. Whether it’s with liquid propane or natural gas, the burner is a hollow, metal piece with holes that brings gas into the gas fire pit. To put it simply, a burner is a piece that allows (or doesn’t allow) the fire to start. The burner is also responsible for converting the gas to flames using the ignition.  

GAS SOURCES

Fire pit burners can be run from liquid or gas propane for temporary fuel, meaning that the source is finite. So, if you run out of propane, you’ll have to run to the store for refills. This type of fuel is ideal for people who don’t see their fire pit as a permanent installation—or are uncomfortable with the price that comes with hiring a professional to install an underground gas line. This doesn’t mean that you need an unsightly gas tank next to your fire pit at all times, however. There are clever ways to hide your propane—whether it’s a fire pit with built-in storage or nearby accent furniture that secretly contains the fuel source under its decorative exterior.

For those who want a lifelong fire pit, users can hook their fire pit up to a permanent gas line. This way, you can keep the gas line hidden from view, and you don’t have to worry about attaching a propane tank with every use—nor will you have to worry about gas running out during use. If you are installing a permanent gas line for your fire pit burner, be sure to avoid using a corrugated pipe. That’s because the corrugated pipe can be easily damaged, posing risk to your burner setup. Also, if you’re going with the permanent natural gas line, make sure you know the BTU capacity of the burner before installation. Otherwise, you may accidentally install a gas line that doesn’t supply sufficient gas for your best possible fires.

CLEARANCES

With every fire pit you purchase, there are manufacturer’s requirements for clearance—the amount of space you need to leave around certain parts of your fire pit to avoid flames spreading to combustible objects. We recommend strictly following these requirements to maintain a safe environment around your fire pit. Although it may not align with your dream fire pit placement, it’s important to always abide by the manufacturer’s safety standards.

IGNITION

Automatic ignition systems require a power source to start your burn. In fact, most automatic ignition systems require a permanent power source (if they aren’t wholly battery-powered). So, be sure to check the ignition system on your burner, and if it’s automatic, check that it isn’t too big a hassle to run an electrical line to the fire pit area.

WHAT IS A BURNER PAN?

Burner pans are solid metal pieces that sit directly underneath the burner, creating a barrier between the burner, any add-ons you may have (such as lava rock, fire glass, etc.), and the open cavity below the burner. This way, gas can flow up to the burner, but nothing can fall below.  

Just like the fire pits themselves, there’s a variety of burner pan styles for purchase. Some burner pans sit plainly on top of the fire pit, blending into the installation (flat pans)—and others are built to sit under the fire pit’s surface (bowl pans). Most burner pans are comprised of stainless steel or aluminum, as they can withstand the heat with minimal distortion.

It’s worth noting that natural gas-powered fire pits don’t necessarily require a burner pan. A liquid propane-fueled fire pit, however, must have a pan.

BURNER PAN CONCERNS

There is always the potential that water can gather in the pan and flood the burner. Not only can this cause damage to your installation, but it can cause water to leak into the gas line. Were this to occur, you would need to hire a licensed gas professional to restore functionality to your gas line.

To prevent any sort of complications from water, make sure that your burner pans have drainage holes. Most come with some draining holes, but it’s worth it to test your system’s handling of water before shrugging off the possibility. 

HOW MANY BURNER OPTIONS ARE THERE?

Just like with fire pits, fireplaces, and smokers—there are different shapes and materials of burners for different desired effects.

The burner holes can be distributed to cause different flame shapes and formations. For example, burners can have a single ring, multiple rings, a linear shape, square, half-moon, fish eye—if you can imagine a burner shape, it can be customized. These are not just for a stylish look when the burner is off—but they cause different fire shapes. This way, you can style your flame shape to match the fire pit itself, aesthetically.

HOW DO YOU CONTROL THE BURNER?

Activation of the burner can be controlled by the different ignition systems: manual, automatic, and push-button. Each ignition system has its own perks and requirements. As far as the gas flow itself, a control knob, remote control, or even an accompanying smartphone app can be used.

If you’re a fan of the bells and whistles, or maybe just the convenience of tending to your fire pit from inside, it could be worth checking out the newer fire pit models with smartphone-capable technology built into the burner.

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING A BURNER

• Size and shape of fire pit
• Heat Output and Flame Size
• Fuel Type
• Ignition Type (manual, push-button, or auto)
• If any, choose the add-on media for your fire pit (gas logs, fire glass, etc.)
• Carefully read manufacturer’s requirements for BTU measurements, ignition requirements, and recommended clearances from combustibles

Choosing a fire pit burner can seem like tedious work—but it’s crucial to understand your fire pit inside and out. The more work you put into researching your fire pit, the more your invested time will pay off in the long run. Plus, nothing quite beats a picturesque fire pit!

Looking For Your Next Fire Pit Burner?

Fireplace Deals’ inventory has dozens of Fire Pit Burner options for your perfect installation—whether you’re focused on a low-BTU burn or having a mesmerizing flame for your outdoor get-together! Call 866-848-3473 or email us to talk to an expert today. In the meantime check out some other articles in our Learning Center.

• Fireplace Racks Buyer’s Guide
• Propane vs Natural Gas Fire Pits
• Gas Grills Buyer's Guide