better homes and gardens gas fire pit walmart

Fire pit tables are big news this season, with all sorts of new designs and materials making them the must-have garden accessory for Christmas. Options vary from low-level coffee tables that stand next to a comfy sofa, to spacious dining tables and sophisticated high-level bar designs. Whether you're enjoying a quiet night in or spending an evening with the girls – or boys! – and a few glasses of fizz, a fire pit table is a fabulous focal point around which to gather loved ones.

Shop our pick of the best fire pit tables below.

Nova Mercury Rectangular Aluminium Firepit Table

couple with glasses of wine stood over fire pit table on sunny patio

Stress-free flames Hard-wearing and easy-care aluminium combined with the convenience of gas makes this a no-fuss option. The generous fire pit can be covered to create a roomy table. Nova Mercury Rectangular Aluminium Firepit Table, £899 whitestores.co.uk

Peaktop Gas Fire Pit Table with Lava Rock & Cover

concrete fire pit table surrounded by sofas on modern grey patio

Raw urban charm Clean lines and a mix of concrete and glass make this low-level fire table a real winner. Fuelled by bottled propane gas, it has a simple dial flame control and a protective wind shield. Peaktop Gas Fire Pit Table with Lava Rock & Cover, £599.99 manomano.co.uk

Honolulu Medium Fire Pit

Stylish combo Powder-coated steel, glass and rich-grained teak make an edgy trio, with discreet housing for the gas canister in the open frame base. Honolulu Medium Fire Pit, £999 hemmingandwills.co.uk

Fireglow Gladstone Rectangular Gas Firepit Coffee Table with Wind Guard

friends sat in garden around a fire pit table at night

Party centrepiece Made from ultra-durable glass-reinforced concrete, this striking table is a great focal point for al fresco evenings with friends. Gas-fired, the flames lick up through lava rocks. Fireglow Gladstone Rectangular Gas Firepit Coffee Table with Wind Guard, £699 whitestores.co.uk

Himalaya Fire Pit Bar Table

Bar-height flames Dial up your outdoor entertaining with a high-level table. This beauty oozes star quality with its polished natural stone surface, concrete base and stainless-steel doors. Himalaya Fire Pit Bar Table, £1,999 elementifires.co.uk

Maze Rattan Winchester Oval Fire Pit Coffee Table

oval rattan coffee table with fire pit on sunny patio

Small space winner This all-weather rattan coffee table with its nifty offset fire ensures there's plenty of room for nibbles as well. Gas-fuelled, the cannister can be safely stashed within the table for a neat, space-saving solution. Maze Rattan Winchester Oval Fire Pit Coffee Table, £649 mazeliving.co.uk

Gin 90 bioethanol Low Fire Pit Table

low level fire pit table in modern garden with sofa and candles

Show-stealing design This floating design in oiled teak has an elongated stainless-steel bioethanol burner. Gin 90 bioethanol Low Fire Pit Table, £5,395 bespokefire.com

Should I buy a fire pit table?

In a word, yes! We all love the charm and informality of a regular firepit, but a sturdy raised design that provides room for eating and entertaining is even better! If you have free-ranging children and pets, then it's a safer option too.

Providing warmth, light and atmosphere after the sun goes down, this classy bit of garden furniture with easy-light flames will revolutionise how you use your outside space this autumn and winter. This is an investment buy so read on to find out about fuel options, design extras and the latest innovative designs so you can spend your hard-earned cash wisely and choose the best product to suit your plot and lifestyle.Should I buy a firepit table?

Which fuel is best for a fire pit table?

Before you start shopping, decide which fuel type is most suitable for you and your garden.

Bottled gas or propane is the most popular. Clean-burning, efficient and easy to control, these cannisters produce continuous flames that can be instantly dialled up or down as you prefer. Smokeless, there's no danger of annoying guests or neighbours and most tables have space to discreetly house the cylinder, though some do require it to be positioned a few metres away and connected with a hose.

Do check the size of any housed gas cannister suits your needs as tables accommodate different sizes. As a rough guide, a 5kg cannister will burn for around six hours, longer if flames are at a reduced height. Cannisters can be bought from local gas centres, DIY stores and petrol sta-tions – you'll need to buy a full bottle, then pay for a refill – and many people choose to buy two bottles so they have a spare for a quick changeover when the fuel runs out. Check too that the bottle is compatible with the burner's particular regulator before you buy.

Bioethanol fuels are made from plant-derived sugar and starch combined with alcohol, mak-ing them an inexpensive and environmentally friendly choice. Available in liquid or gel form, this fuel produces lively flames without any soot, ash or toxic fumes. The burn rate and height of the flames is controlled by widening or reducing the burner's aperture, using a long-handled hook tool. Although it can take up to 15 minutes for the fire to begin burning steadily, one litre of liquid fuel can last for three to four hours, making it very cost effective. It's also possible to buy separate bioethanol burners that you can fit into your own custom-built table. The only downside is that you can't refill a bioethanol burner while it's hot so, once the fuel is used up, the flames are finished for the night.

Seasoned logs and charcoal are unrivalled for charm and atmosphere but the unmistakable crackle and aroma of wood is firmly offset by the hassle of smoke, flying sparks and ash that has to be cleared up. A cleaner and more efficient burn can be achieved by using quality sea-soned and kiln-dried timber, but there will always be one person with eyes watering from the smoke! It's hard to control flame height and heat level too, but these tables are significantly cheaper.

Which material?

Firepit tables come in a wide range of hard-wearing materials including reinforced concrete, aluminium, wood and steel. Each brings their own character and personality to your outside space, so it really is a matter of style. There are many matching furniture sets available, with a firepit table accompanied by a sofa or dining chairs in the same material, if you're thinking of giving your patio a whole new look. Current favourites in the style stakes are homely all-weather synthetic rattan, sleek powder-coated aluminium and glossy teak.

Glass wind guards

These are a must for gas and bioethanol burners as they prevent the fuel from being extin-guished and encourage it to burn efficiently, while also protecting those gathered round from sudden wind-caught flames. They also form an essential barrier to prevent little fingers from getting too close and from debris being blown into the fire. Most products include these in the total price but do check before ordering. Circular, square or rectangular, they are made from sections of 5mm-thick heat-resistant glass connected by metal – usually aluminium – brackets. Raised on rubber feet that sit directly on the table, there will be a small gap to allow air to flow underneath and fan the flames.

Added extras

Don't be swayed by whether or not your desired gas or bioethanol table comes with ceramic logs or lava stones as standard as these can be bought separately – just check any product is fuel compatible. It's simple to swap the style of those supplied too. Standard ceramic logs are often a dull brown but stripy pale birch, rough charred oak and smooth silvered driftwood will instantly bring a more modern look. Fire-resistant pebbles can also top any gas or bioethanol firepit table, as can crushed fire glass, which is available in many different colours.

What to read next

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