When we were looking at getting a portable propane fire pit, my wife and I wanted to make sure it was perfectly safe for our family.
I’ve heard people with concerns about cooking over it, and I’ve even heard some people say it may explode!
I had to know for sure, so I researched the answer to the question:
Are portable propane fire pits safe?
Portable propane fire pits are safe to use when camping and on your deck. The heat is contained, so there’s no risk of sparks passing to any wood. It’s safe to cook on, too, as long as you clean off the burners.
I understand if you still have some reservations, so let’s dig into the relevant situations below.
Note: The answer is based on the fact you get a quality product. Cheap ones have less of a guarantee of safety.
For help finding a good option, check out our picks for the best portable propane fire pits for camping and at home.
Table of Contents
Are Gas Fire Pits Safe For Keeping On A Deck?
One of the major concerns with keeping any fire pit on a deck is the wood or faux wood material melting or catching on fire.
This is a serious concern.
Campfires are known to reach high temperatures and give off sparks.
It’s a big no-no to put these on a wood deck.
But a propane fire pit isn’t quite the same. It’s much safer.
For one, the heat is a lot less.
The average wood fire produces 100,000 BTUs or higher of heat.
The average propane fire pit produces 40,000 BTUs of heat. Even then, you often have the option of turning it down.
Another big concern with wood fires is how sparks travel. We’ve all seen the commercials where a single spark at a campsite starts a wildfire and burns down hundreds of acres of forests.
We don’t want that to happen to our deck or our house!
Well, propane fire pits are very controlled. The heat stays in one spot, and there isn’t enough fuel to keep the fire going if the propane falters for even an instant.
It won’t spread to your deck or any other part of your house.
If you’re still unsure about these useful heaters, check out our detailed pros and cons of propane fire pits article.
Are Gas Fire Pits Safe For Cooking?
The biggest concern for me was whether it was safe to cook over a propane fire pit.
When you cook over a gas grill, it’s designed for the purpose of cooking.
A gas fire pit isn’t. I was worried there would be chemicals and such bleeding into my food.
It turns out I was only half-wrong.
Some decorative elements of gas fire pits are covered with chemicals harmful to food.
Fortunately, after it’s washed off, the fire pit is perfectly safe.
There are three main areas to watch out for in keeping your firepit safe and working correctly.
First, make sure to clean off the burners and remove any decorative rocks. This will keep the food cleansed of chemicals.
Second, ensure the food is cooked enough.
Gas firepits have a lower heat output and may take a while to cook raw meats.
Third, clean off any food droppings right away.
Food droppings could block the burners or attract bacteria causing issues with your fire pit and spreading germs.
Are Gas Fire Pits Safe For Camping?
Gas fire pits are also safe for camping.
Some people worry the gas will cause nearby wood and leaves to catch on fire.
As we talked about before, propane-controlled fire pits are actually safer here than wood fires.
During a burn ban, many places will still let you have controlled fires with a gas firepit system.
Check with the local Department of Natural Resources before starting any fire during a burn ban, though.
Another concern people have is with the gas tanks or canisters getting damaged and leaking during travel.
This is a legitimate concern, but one simple, universal precaution will remove the issue.
Never transport a propane tank or canister while it’s still attached to a fire pit or grill.
Disconnect the propane, move the firepit to a new spot, and then reconnect it.
It only takes two seconds, and you’ll lower the risk of leakage and damage.
Will Gas Fire Pits Explode?
There’s a common misconception that a gas fire pit may randomly explode. This comes down to two things:
Decades ago, there weren’t as many safety features as there are now, and some would leak when tipped over.
Now, everything using propane has tip features where the gas shuts off automatically to prevent leaking.
This isn’t a problem.
The problem could be the lava rocks that come with many propane fire pits.
These aren’t “supposed” to explode, but some people report that some brands do explode when exposed to high heat.
I don’t really like the idea of cooking over lava rocks anyway (though it’s supposedly safe), so I’d recommend just taking them out.
Now, you don’t have to worry about it at all!
Gas Fire Pits And Carbon Monoxide
One legitimate concern with fire pits is around the by-product, carbon monoxide.
It’s deadly and invisible to the sense, but it’s not a problem as long as there is ventilation.
Check out more in our article on propane fire pits and carbon monoxide.