How to Choose an Outdoor Fireplace (Gas vs Electric vs Wood)

Understanding Outdoor Fireplace Types: Gas, Electric, and Wood

Before you shop, it helps to know what each fuel type actually does differently. Every option trades off heat, convenience, and how much of the "real fire" experience you get.

Gas Outdoor Fireplaces

Gas fireplaces run on natural gas or liquid propane and hit full heat within seconds of pressing a button. Prefab gas units, like the Cal Flame lineup, arrive with the firebox, chimney, and stone or stucco finish built as one factory-engineered piece, so there's no on-site masonry.

Electric Outdoor Fireplaces

True plug-in electric fireplace inserts exist, but they're less common in prefab outdoor lines than most people expect. The closest equivalent most retailers carry, including BetterPatio, is a vent-free linear gas fireplace with an LED control system. It skips the chimney and gives you a clean, contemporary look, but it still runs on natural gas or propane rather than a wall outlet.

Wood-Burning Outdoor Fire Features

Wood-burning fireplaces and fire pits burn real logs for genuine crackle, scent, and flame. Heat output is strong, but you're managing airflow, ash, and the fire itself rather than a switch.

Key Factors in Choosing an Outdoor Fireplace

• Heat output relative to your patio size and how exposed it is to wind
• How often you'll actually light it, since daily use favors convenience
• Installation complexity: gas line, 120V power, or none at all
• Fuel availability and ongoing cost in your area
• Cleaning and maintenance you're willing to keep up with
• Local burn restrictions or air quality rules, which vary a lot by city and county

Gas vs. Electric vs. Wood: Side-by-Side Comparison

Environmental impact varies too. Wood produces smoke and particulate emissions, gas burns cleaner, and vent-free gas units add no direct emissions of their own beyond the burner itself.

Shop Prefabricated Outdoor Fireplaces

These are three real Cal Flame and RCS models BetterPatio currently carries, covering a small budget-friendly size, a large grand-estate size, and a modern chimney-free linear option.

Cal Flame 60" Outdoor Fireplace

$3,963.00

55,000 BTU stainless burner in a 16-gauge galvanized steel frame. A compact, budget-friendly pick for smaller patios.

Shop This Fireplace

Cal Flame 78" Outdoor Fireplace

$6,499.00

A wraparound mantle and extended chimney make this the focal point for a large seating group.

Shop This Fireplace

RCS 36" Cedar Creek Linear Fireplace

$5,499.00

No chimney or venting required. LED control box with over 16 million colors, built for covered or modern patios.

Shop This Fireplace

Choosing a Gas Outdoor Fireplace

Gas is the right call if you want strong heat without babysitting a fire. It's also the easiest to fit into a covered patio, since there's no smoke to worry about.

When Gas Makes Sense

• You want quick, one-switch operation every time you use it
• You'll use the fireplace often, not just a few nights a year
• You want low maintenance and no smoke smell on your furniture

Natural Gas vs. Propane

Natural gas is usually cheaper long-term if a gas line already runs to your patio. Propane costs a bit more per use but works anywhere, which makes it the better fit for a detached patio or a build where running a gas line isn't practical.

Pros and Cons of Gas Fireplaces

Choosing an Electric-Style Outdoor Fireplace

If your priority is the simplest possible install, a vent-free linear gas unit is the closest thing to "plug and play" in a prefab outdoor fireplace. It skips the chimney entirely, which matters if your patio is covered or you're short on ceiling clearance.

When This Style Makes Sense

• You have a small patio, balcony, or covered outdoor room
• You want a modern, linear look rather than a traditional mantle
• You'd rather run power and a gas line once than manage a chimney

Pros and Cons of Linear Vent-Free Fireplaces

Browse the full range of vent-free and traditional models in BetterPatio's outdoor heating collection if you want to compare BTU output and finish options side by side.

Choosing a Wood-Burning Outdoor Fire Feature

Nothing replaces the smell and crackle of real wood. If that's the experience you're after, a dedicated wood-burning fire pit gives you the most authentic option without the framing and gas lines a prefab fireplace needs.

When Wood Makes Sense

• You want a traditional, hands-on fire experience
• You don't mind stacking wood and cleaning out ash after use
• You need strong radiant heat for a colder climate

Pros and Cons of Wood-Burning Fire Features

Check your local rules before you buy. Many cities restrict open wood burning during dry months, so it's worth confirming what's allowed before you commit to a wood-burning fire pit for your space.

Shop Wood-Burning Fire Features

Fire Pit Art Manta Ray Fire Pit

$1,264.00 – $6,100.00

A sculptural steel wood-burning fire pit that also comes in gas variants. Available in several sizes and finishes.

Shop This Fire Pit

Matching the Fireplace to Your Outdoor Space

Your layout matters as much as the fuel type. Here's how size typically maps to fuel choice in practice.

Small Spaces

A compact 48 to 60-inch gas fireplace or a linear vent-free unit fits balconies and small patios without overwhelming the space.

Medium Spaces

A 60 to 72-inch gas fireplace gives you enough heat for a seating group of four to six while staying proportional to your furniture.

Large Spaces

A 78-inch model with an integrated hearth, or a substantial wood-burning fire feature, anchors a larger backyard as the main gathering point. Pair it with a full outdoor living package if you're building the seating area from scratch, and finish the space with an outdoor rug to define the seating zone around the flame.

Cost Breakdown: Gas vs. Electric-Style vs. Wood

Shop Seating to Pair With Your Fire Feature

Once the fireplace or fire pit is picked, the seating around it does the rest of the work. These two teak pieces hold up well outdoors and work for both small gatherings and larger groups.

Riviera Luxe 60" Daybed

$1,800

Premium A-grade teak with Sunbrella cushions that resist UV fading and mildew. A relaxed spot for one or two by the fire.

Shop This Daybed

Madera 5-Piece Seating Set

$6,950

Two deep seating armchairs, two ottomans, and a side table in kiln-dried A-Grade teak, built for a larger fireplace seating area.

Shop This Set

Common Mistakes When Choosing an Outdoor Fireplace

• Buying a unit with less heat output than the space actually needs
• Skipping the gas line or power requirements until after purchase
• Not checking local burn bans or air quality restrictions first
• Picking a style that doesn't match the rest of the patio

Final Decision Guide

• Choose gas for convenience, strong heat, and frequent use
• Choose a linear vent-free model for small, covered, or modern spaces
• Choose wood for the most authentic, traditional fire experience

FAQs About Choosing an Outdoor Fireplace

Keep Exploring