We're thrilled you're thinking about or have decided to take the plunge and buy a gas fire pit – great choice! Naturally, your thoughts have led you to ask - how to install a gas fire pit?
This question has two different answers: propane fire pits and natural gas fire pits.
The good news is we will cover both in this article!
Let's dive straight in…
Considerations Before Installing a Gas Fire Pit
The first thing to consider is where to install your fire pit.
Gas fire pits can be installed anywhere on your paved patio or decking.
If you want to install your gas fire pit under any roof, pergolas, or overhang, consider the height clearance.
This depends on the size of your fire pit, and it's best to review the manufacturer's guidelines before installing it to ensure you have plenty of space.
Let's now dive into the two types of gas fire pits and how to install them…
Propane Gas Fire Pits
Propane gas fire pits run on liquid propane. They are effortless to use, speedy to install, and a dream to run. They also need very little maintenance, which is a real bonus.
The system they operate is quite simple – the propane tank is connected to a regulator, which reduces the pressure from the tank so that it is at the correct pressure and safe for the fire pit.
The regulator leads to a hose that leads to a burner. When you turn on the gas supply and add a spark, the fire pit turns on.
How to Install a Propane Fire Pit
One of the big benefits of propane fire pits is that they are swift and easy to install and, in most cases, can be moved around fairly quickly if you suddenly decide to change the layout of your outdoor space.
For those that need a hose to run between the propane tank and the fire pit, more thought and attention might be required, not only for the pipe but also for where you will keep your propane tank.
Propane fire pits come in all shapes and sizes. Some run off small propane bottles that can be hidden inside, and others run off large propane gas tanks that you must find a place for in your garden.
Tips For Hiding Propane Tank
Propane tanks are not pretty and almost certainly won't fit in with the aesthetic you're trying to create for your outdoor space. However, they are necessary to run your propane gas fire pit.
So here are some of our top tips for hiding a propane tank to maintain the ambience you want:
Tank cover - many gas fire pit manufacturers produce tank covers made from the same material as the fire pit. Here we see a concrete bottle cover. These are great as you can also use them as an occasional table.
Trellises – hiding your propane tank behind a trellis is a cost-effective way to deal with the problem. They're also straightforward to install yourself, which is excellent.
Garden plants – another simple solution is to hide your propane tank behind some garden plants. Some beautiful plants grow nice and tall, as well as nice and thick, which will mean your tank is hidden away from view, and instead, you have a beautiful, lush garden to look at.
Some of our favourite plants are wisteria (you can even get artificial wisteria if you can't be bothered with the maintenance), bamboo, or a butterfly bush.
Tabletop – you could even hide the propane tank under a table, which removes the eyesore and provides an excellent space to put things on.
One word of caution: storing a propane gas tank below ground level must be avoided.
Where Can I Buy A Propane Tank
Propane tanks can be purchased from a variety of places in the UK, including:
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DIY Stores: Many DIY stores, such as B&Q, Homebase, and Wickes, sell propane tanks.
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Gas Suppliers: Companies that supply propane gas for heating and cooking, such as Calor Gas, Flogas, and Bottled Gas.
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Online Retailers: Online retailers, such as Amazon and eBay.
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Speciality Stores: Stores specialising in outdoor equipment, such as camping and caravanning stores.
What Size Propane Gas Bottle Should I use?
When choosing the gas bottle size for your gas fire pit, standard options include 5 kg, 6 kg, 11 kg, and 13 kg.
The 5 kg and 6 kg bottles are generally used for internal storage as they are more compact and fit inside the fire pit.
Alternatively, 11 kg and 13 kg bottles are most popular and ideal for larger outdoor areas, such as gardens or patios, as they provide longer usage.
There are various other sizes available.
How Many Hours of Use Can You Get from a Propane Tank?
The duration of a propane tank depends on various factors, and the following estimates serve as a helpful guideline:
If you continuously use a 5 kg propane gas tank with an 11 kW gas fire pit, it should last approximately 12 hours.
Similarly, using an 11 kg propane gas bottle with a 13 kW gas fire pit should last around 23 hours.
It's important to remember that the actual usage time may vary depending on factors such as the gas consumption rate of the appliance and the outdoor conditions.
Constantly monitor the gas level of the tank and have a spare or a refill plan available to ensure uninterrupted usage.
When Should I Refill My Propane Gas Bottle?
It's essential to exchange your propane gas tank or refill it when it reaches 20% capacity or less.
Running your propane tank too low can cause the gas pressure to drop, affecting the performance of your gas fire pit and even damaging the gas valve or regulator.
To know when your propane tank is at 20% capacity, you can check the gas level gauge if your tank has one, weigh the tank using a scale, or estimate the gas usage based on your appliance and usage patterns.
Having a gauge is useful not to be left short when it's needed the most.
Once you determine that your tank is at 20% or lower, you should get it exchanged or refilled as soon as possible.
Many propane gas suppliers offer exchange or refill services.
By monitoring your propane gas tank and taking timely action, you can avoid running out of gas and ensure a safe and enjoyable fire pit experience.
Natural Gas Fire Pits
Natural gas fire pits are very similar to propane fire pits in almost every way other than the fuel source. These fire pits run off of the main gas supply to your house.
The main benefit here is that you have a constant fuel supply to your fire pit, making it easier to run and maintain and cheaper in the long term.
How to Install a Natural Gas Fire Pit
Always use a professional! We really can't state that strongly enough.
When working with your mains gas supply, you are always better to hire a professional to do the work. This way, you know that the piping will be connected correctly and safely.
Installing a natural gas fire pit can require additional building work, as you must run pipes from your main gas supply to your fire pit.
Unlike a propane fire pit, your natural gas fire pit is not particularly moveable once installed, so you want to ensure you are happy with your chosen location.
As we've said, we recommend hiring a professional for the installation.
Here's a quick overview of the process they'll have to go through to do it:
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Make sure you buy the right amount of piping – knowing where to install your gas fire pit and planning where to lay your pipes to connect to the mains gas pipe is the first step. The plan is essential for ensuring you buy the correct number of pipes and the types of fittings you need.
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Turn off your mains gas at the source – This is the most crucial step! Make sure you turn off your mains gas at the source. Not only would this be a dangerous step to forget, but it could also be very costly.
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Change the fitting at the mains to a T-junction – you want to tap into the mains gas supply, diverting some of it to power your fire pit. This requires changing the fitting at the mains to a T-junction so you can run two lines out.
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Run the pipe to your fire pit – this is where the building work takes place; running the pipes to connect your fire pit to your mains gas supply.
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Ensure there are no leaks – an equally important step is constantly checking for leaks after connecting all your pipes. This is easily done by mixing water and liquid soap and then submerging your seams. There is a leak if you see any bubbles coming from the seams.
We can't stress enough times to get a qualified engineer to do this for you. If you decide to go down the route of 'doing it yourself', please take the time to research precisely what you need to do in detail.
Final Thoughts
As we've said, how to install a gas fire pit falls into two camps, depending on what type of fire pit you get.
Propane fire pits are generally very easy to install and are essentially drop-and-go. On the other hand, natural gas requires much more installation and should be done by a professional.
There are pros and cons to both types of gas fire pit, and if you're unsure which one is right for you, we have a great article on which would be best for you.
You could always get the best of both worlds and buy a propane gas fire pit that can be converted to natural gas later!
Whichever you choose, we guarantee that installing a gas fire pit will be one of the best things you do for your outdoor space.
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