Everybody loves a fire pit.
Warm, flickering flames offer the perfect gathering spot. They keep you cozy on a chilly night, extending the time you can enjoy beneath the stars.
And, one word: s’mores.
Fire pits in Boise and Idaho Falls make perfect sense, but before you break out the sticks and marshmallows, you have a decision to make: gas vs wood-burning fire pit?
We get this question a lot. How to decide?
Let’s learn more about natural gas fire pits and wood-burning fire pits, including:
- Is a Gas Fire Pit Better Than Wood?
- Is a Gas Fire Pit in Boise and Idaho Falls More Expensive Than Wood Burning?
- Consider the Convenience Factor
- How Accessible Is Gas Or Propane? Or Firewood?
- What’s The Wind Direction?
- What If You Change Your Mind?
- Are Fire Pits Legal in Boise and Idaho Falls?
- Who Should Install Your Boise or Idaho Falls Fire Pit?
A natural gas fire pit is an excellent choice if you love convenience and don’t care for a smoky smell. But if you love the romantic, rustic feel of a crackling fire that needs tending, a wood-burning fire pit might suit you better.
Outback landscape designers Kim Rubert and Kirk Jeppesen share their thoughts on how they help customers decide on gas fire pit vs wood.
Is a Gas Fire Pit Better Than Wood?
Gas fire pits are more convenient than wood, but the choice all depends on the homeowner’s preference, Rubert says.
“People do generally prefer gas fire pits near their homes so that they don't get smoke blowing in the windows and doors,” she says. “There’s also easier access to propane/natural gas.”
But wood-burning fire pits stilI have a spot in Idaho backyard landscaping, she says.
“I find that normally people will opt for gas near their house, and if they have an area of their landscape design that’s a little more private or in a further-out corner of their property, then they will opt for wood burning,” Rubert says.
“Some like the ambiance and the act of building a wood fire,” she says, “and others will prefer the ease of just twisting a key and lighting the fire pit.
“Gas are less messy with clean up and smoke, and wood burning is a bit more nostalgic,” she says. “Both can roast a marshmallow. It really is just getting down to the client preference.”
That preference has been leaning toward gas fire pits, Jeppesen says.
“A few years ago, wood-burning fire pits were more popular, but it has recently shifted to gas,” he says. Why? He says that customers like the ease of starting a cozy fire by simply turning a switch. And the smoke from a wood fire permeates clothes and hair, which some customers don’t like.
“I usually encourage gas burning for residential areas,” Jeppesen says. “I never have a client say, ’We wish we did wood burning instead of gas.’ They always say the opposite.
“But for cabins and weekend retreats, it could go either way,” he says. “Most people like the rustic feel of a wood-burning fire pit when they go to their cabins.”
Hop on a Trend with a Powder-Coated Steel Natural Gas Fire Pit
Natural stone or brick will always be the go-to materials for Boise and Idaho Falls fire pits, but a new look is gaining ground.
“The steel powder-coated fire pits have been a big hit lately,” Jeppesen says.
Offering a contemporary look with clean, crisp edges, these powder-coated aluminum fire features are strong and lightweight.
The powder coating is durable and allows for all kinds of color and texture combinations.
Choose an earthy color like black, gray or bronze to blend in with your landscaping, match your house, or make your gas fire pit a stand-out design element in aqua, orange, red, lime green or electric blue.
Gas Fire Pit vs Wood: Still Pondering?
Here are 5 things to consider when choosing a gas or wood-burning fire pit:
1. Is a Gas Fire Pit in Boise and Idaho Falls More Expensive Than Wood Burning?
It is. A gas fire pit cost can run from $8,000 to $12,000, Jeppesen says, depending on the location and difficulty of running the gas line, electricity, and the material around the fire pit, like pavers or concrete. But a wood-burning fire pit costs about half that.
Why? A few reasons.
You need a burner for a gas fire pit. This is where your gas ignites and lights up the night. You'll also need a burner pan. This holds the media (lava rock or glass) to hide the burner.
You also need a gas hookup and installation. Your landscape contractor will subcontract the gas installation to a qualified and licensed heating, ventilation and air conditioning company to hook up the gas line to your new fire pit. This will add a contractor to the job, which adds to the gas fire pit cost.
2. The Convenience Factor
Rubert and Jeppesen pointed out that operating a natural gas fire pit is easy. If you love strolling out to the patio and turning a switch to kick up the flames, a gas fire pit is for you.
A natural gas fire pit lights quickly and easily and doesn’t produce smoke or sparks.
But maybe you have a rustic side. Do you love throwing logs on the fire, watching the sparks fly, and tending the flames? Maybe busting out the harmonica, cowboy style?
Then, a wood-burning fire pit fits the bill. A wood-burning fire pit offers a campfire feel and emits more heat for cooking, if you love the idea of supper sizzled over the flames.
3. How Accessible Is Gas Or Propane? Or Firewood?
Where you live might help you decide between a gas fire pit and wood.
Is natural gas available in your area? Do you have ready access to propane?
Is firewood easy to come by or scarce in your neighborhood?
You want convenient fuel.
4. Gas Fire Pit vs Wood: What’s The Wind Direction?
Maybe you didn’t think about this, but Rubert does.
If your house is downstream of the wind and you opt for a wood-burning fire pit, the smoke will blow toward any open windows or doors. This is something to consider unless you want to smell that smoky scent long after the fire is doused.
5. What If You Change Your Mind?
It happens. You can convert a wood-burning fire pit to gas by installing a gas line and fire ring.
Whether you opt for a natural gas fire pit or a wood-burning fire pit, you have a decision to make:
Place it away from the house for a more rustic feel, where taking a stroll out to roast marshmallows is a bit of an adventure?
Or add a natural gas fire pit on your patio, a few convenient steps from your door? Fire pits are also great additions to your pool area, offering warmth and drama for your evening swim and backyard entertaining.
Wait a Minute — Are Fire Pits in Boise and Idaho Falls Even Legal?
Yes — if you follow the rules and take precautions to protect people and property.
Check out these Boise and Idaho Falls fire pit rules:
- Only firewood is permitted as wood-burning fuel, not yard debris.
- The fuel area of the fire should be 3 ft or less in diameter and 2 ft or less.
- Maintain a 15–25 foot buffer zone around the fire pit to prevent nearby structures and vegetation from catching fire.
- Keep a hose or fire extinguisher nearby to extinguish the fire.
- Open burning may be restricted during adverse weather conditions, such as high winds.
Who Should Install Your Boise or Idaho Falls Fire Pit?
Maybe your biggest decision is who you’ll hire to build your fire pit. (Hint: not some guy driving around with a bunch of bricks in his trunk.)
Choose an experienced, full-service landscaping company skilled at hardscaping, outdoor living and fire pits in Boise and Idaho Falls.
Sure, your fire pit will be great, but what if you need more? Lush landscaping to surround it? Landscape lighting for safety and extra glow? A seating wall? Heck, maybe even a whole new patio to show off this cool new go-to spot where you’ll hang out often.
A full-service company can help you with everything, making the whole process easy.
Before hiring a landscaping company to install your Boise or Idaho Falls fire pit, look at some of their past fire pit projects. Do you love them? Do you see innovative ideas that hadn’t even occurred to you? You’re on the right track.
While you’re at it, take a look at their Google reviews. Look for not just lots of stars but lots of reviews. Four reviews don’t tell you much. If more than 50 customers love them, plus they have close to five stars, they’re doing hardscaping and fire pits in Boise and Idaho Falls, right?
Gas Fire Pit vs Wood? Either Way, Trust Outback
Here in Boise and Idaho Falls, we love fire pits. Our chilly fall and winter temperatures are perfect for gathering around warm, flickering flames.
At Outback Landscape, we specialize in hardscaping, outdoor living and fire pits in Boise and Idaho Falls. We’ll start by discussing how you’ll use your fire pit and entertainment area to settle on the best style and design for how you live.
Once you approve the design, we’ll move forward with expert installation. And, good news — a fire pit can typically be constructed in less than a day.
We serve residential and commercial properties in Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Pocatello, Idaho, & Bonneville, Madison and Bannock counties. Call us at 208-656-3220 or fill out our contact form to schedule a no-obligation meeting with one of our team members. We can’t wait to hear from you.
