Do Propane Fire Pits Give Off Carbon Monoxide?

Whenever I buy something I’m inexperienced with, I always want to do some research and make sure the product is safe. 

With propane fire pits, one of the major concerns is carbon monoxide. 

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of burning propane, and it’s deadly if breathed in by humans. 

Scary, right? But do propane fire pits give off carbon monoxide? 

Propane fire pits give off carbon monoxide, which is why they shouldn’t be used indoors without ample ventilation. Outside, the fire pit’s carbon monoxide dissipates quickly and avoids any issues as long as you’re not standing directly over the fire. 

Let’s look at the details around carbon monoxide in this article. 

Can A Propane Fire Pit Cause Carbon Monoxide?

Propane fire pits release carbon dioxide and burns as part of the heat creation process, which results in carbon monoxide as a by-product. Carbon monoxide is deadly and impossible to sense through smell and needs a special detector to pick it up.

The amount of carbon monoxide given off by a gas-burning device is tough to measure exactly, but the actual amount in most modern fire pits is low. 

Manufacturers don’t want to poison their customers after all! 

But if the gas isn’t allowed to dissipate and spread out (such as when used indoors without enough ventilation), then it may reach high and dangerous levels.

Make sure you get a good and safe portable propane fire pit for camping by checking out our detailed review and buyer’s guide at the link.  

Dangers Of Carbon Monoxide

OSHA says: 

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas.

Surprisingly to me, CO is dangerous not because it’s poisonous on its own. 

It fits inside your cells and displaces the oxygen inside your blood through your breathing. 

This prevents real oxygen from getting to your heart, brain, and other organs. 

It causes organ failure and death quickly through a loss of consciousness and suffocation. 

Common and sudden symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: 

• Tightness across the chest
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Collapse

If you suspect CO poisoning, go outside or open windows immediately to get fresh air and good oxygen. 

People most in danger of quick and lasting issues include: 

• Children
• Elderly
• Those with lung or heart disease
• Living at high altitudes
• Smokers
• Fetuses

Are Propane Fire Pits Safe To Breath?

Propane fire pits are not safe to breathe. Don’t stand directly over them, and always make sure there is plenty of airflow to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide. 

All of this sounds scary, but it’s mostly just common sense. 

You don’t want to stand directly over a wood fire either. 

The smoke can cause suffocation as well. 

You don’t want to use a wood fire inside either. 

The risk isn’t theoretically any higher with a propane fire pit than a wood fire pit. 

The main difference with inhalation is that wood smoke is visible and smelly. You know when there’s smoke blowing in your face. 

With carbon monoxide, you won’t know it until you start feeling some of the symptoms described above. 

Learn more in our dedicated article on the safety of propane fire pits. 

Can You Use A Propane Fire Pit Indoors?

Don’t use your propane fire pit indoors. The enclosed space will retain heat better, but you run the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Use an electric heater or a propane heater with much less heat output. 

If you do decide to use a fire pit indoors (which we don’t recommend), make sure you have windows or vents open to allow enough airflow. 

Be on the lookout for the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and consider keeping a CO detector as a backup safety line. 

Gas Fire Pit Dangers

Outside of carbon monoxide, there are a couple of common beliefs around the safety of gas firepits to be aware of. 

Some of these are myths, and some have common fixes for the worries. 

They Explode! 

There’s still a lot of folks who worry a propane fire pit is going to explode. 

This comes from decades ago when the lesser quality of hoses and regulators would allow extra propane to build up. Then, it would catch on fire. 

This doesn’t happen with modern fire pits. 

Rocks, lava rocks, and other decorative elements do have a chance of exploding, however. 

It happens when there is water trapped inside them. At high temperatures, the water expands into a gas. 

But without space to quickly escape, the gasses for the rocks to explode. 

This is most common with lava rocks due to their porous nature. 

I avoid using lava rocks, period, but if you’re going to use them, just make sure they have time to dry out. 

It is possible for trapped gasses, such as carbon monoxide, to reach a point of such high concentration that they catch on fire and cause an explosion. 

However, the temperature would have to be so high, and the gas would have to reach a much higher concentration. 

Again, adequate ventilation is key here. 

Gas Fire Pits Get Too Hot

Propane is a gas, so it has to get really hot, right?

Yes and no. 

It can get really hot, but most propane fire pits have a limit of around 40,000 BTUs, with some reaching up to 65,000 BTUs. 

Woodfire pits easily reach a temperature of 100,000 BTUs and higher. 

Gas fire pits are also very controlled. 

There are no extra sparks, and the fire is contained exactly where the burners are. 

Woodfire pits are wilder. They’re the ones that give off sparks. 

In fact, using a gas fire pit is often allowed even during a burn ban because it’s so safe. 

Gas fire pits are also safe and recommended for keeping on a deck, even if it’s made of wood. 

Propane May Leak

In the past, if a propane burner of any kind was knocked over, the fire may go out, but the LP would still leak. 

Now, almost every propane burner has a -tip-off safety switch. 

As soon as it falls over, it blocks extra propane from leaking. 

When first connecting propane, it’s common to smell it a little bit. 

Let the smell dissipate for a couple of minutes. It should clear up right away. 

If it doesn’t, disconnect and reconnect the hose. 

If you still notice hissing or the smell, disconnect again and inspect the parts for damage. 

Never use a lighter or burner when you smell propane or gas.