Outland Living portable propane fire pit review

Fifty eight thousand BTU, CSA approved, and a 20 lb propane cylinder you have to supply.

The verdict: Buy it if you want a focal point for an outdoor reception that guests gather around, with no smoke blowing into anyone's dress. Skip it if you are buying it to keep guests warm, because a 19 inch fire bowl warms the people sitting around it and nobody else.
Best Outdoor Focal Point
Outland Living Portable Propane Fire Pit, 19 inch, 58,000 BTU with Cover and Carry Kit
Around $143

A CSA approved 19 inch propane fire bowl with a 10 foot hose, adjustable regulator, lava rock set and a cover and carry kit.

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Specifications

SpecDetail
Size19 by 19 by 11 inches
Output58,000 BTU per hour
Max gas supply pressure250 PSI
CertificationCSA approved, usable during most campfire bans
HosePre-attached 10 foot hose for a standard 20 lb cylinder
RegulatorFully adjustable with a chrome valve knob
Media4.4 lb natural lava rock set
IncludedCover and carry kit
Not included20 lb propane tank
ConstructionSteel with protective enamel, stainless steel burner and fasteners

Specifications above come from Outland Living's published product specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.

What it does well

Where it falls short

What owners report

Owners consistently report that it produces a convincing flame with no smoke and that the propane consumption at full output surprised them. Build quality reports are strong over multiple seasons. The most repeated practical advice is to run it below maximum, both for cylinder life and because the full flame is larger than most gatherings want. Wind is the recurring complaint, as with every open flame.

The comparison worth reading is patio heaters vs fire pits, because they solve different problems and the wrong choice is expensive. If the reception is outdoors, the wedding budget calculator and backyard vs venue wedding cost are where the rest of the outdoor infrastructure gets counted, and it adds up faster than couples expect.

Who it suits

Who should skip it

Alternatives worth considering

Warmth Alternative
Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU Portable Outdoor Propane Patio Heater with Wheels
Around $135

A standing heater with a stated 9 foot radius puts heat on standing guests rather than on people sitting around a bowl. Less atmosphere, more actual warmth.

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Atmosphere Alternative
DazzlingStage 9600mAh Wireless Uplights, 6x18W RGBWA UV, 12 Pack
Around $1,660

If the fire pit was for atmosphere rather than heat, lighting changes an outdoor space more thoroughly and does not need a permit.

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The Other Gathering Point
Generic 2 Gallon Glass Drink Dispensers with Stand, 2 Pack
Around $65

People gather around drinks even more reliably than around fire, and a drinks station is what keeps an outdoor reception moving.

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Common questions

Do you need a propane tank for the Outland fire pit?

Yes, and it is not included. It uses a standard 20 lb cylinder, the kind a gas barbecue uses, connected through the pre-attached 10 foot hose. Buy or fill one before the wedding, and consider a second if the evening will be long.

How long does a propane tank last in a fire pit?

At 58,000 BTU per hour a standard 20 lb cylinder does not last a full evening at full output. Running the adjustable regulator lower extends it considerably and produces a flame most gatherings prefer anyway. Have a spare cylinder if the fire is part of the plan.

Can you use a fire pit at a wedding venue?

Only if the venue allows it, and many do not permit open flame anywhere on the grounds. Propane units are permitted more often than wood because they are CSA approved and spark free, and it is still a question to ask in writing rather than assume.

Fire pit or patio heater for an outdoor wedding?

A fire pit is a gathering point and a photograph. A patio heater is heat for standing guests over a wider radius. If people are cold, buy heaters. If people need somewhere to go after dinner, buy the fire. Our direct comparison covers the coverage each one actually provides.

Keep reading

This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.