Bioethanol vs Propane Fire Pit Tables: Which to Buy?
The fire pit table you buy depends almost entirely on where you're putting it and how you plan to use it. Propane and bioethanol both produce real flames and real ambiance, but they behave very differently once you factor in your roof situation, your neighbors, and your monthly fuel bill.
Propane fire tables run hotter, often 40,000 to 60,000 BTUs, which makes them useful for actually warming people on a cold October night. Bioethanol tables burn cleaner and quieter, with no gas line or tank to manage, but the heat output is closer to a large candle than a space heater. That tradeoff shapes everything.
This breakdown covers three strong picks from each fuel type, including what each one costs to run over a season and which setups they're actually suited for.
1.Best Bioethanol Fire Table for Modern Patios
The Regal Flame Avon 60-Inch Bioethanol Fire Table has clean aluminum framing and a wide rectangular burner tray that holds about 2.5 liters of fuel. At full burn, you're looking at roughly 3 to 4 hours per fill, which covers a full dinner party without having to top it off. The flame sits low and wide across the table, making it feel more like a centerpiece than a heat source.
This table works well on a 12x14 covered patio or screened porch where propane's CO output would be a concern. The bioethanol flame produces water vapor and carbon dioxide, the same as a candle, so ventilation requirements are minimal. You still want airflow, but you're not dealing with the same risks as a gas appliance under a pergola. It pairs well with 4 chairs on a standard patio layout without overwhelming the space.
Regal Flame Avon 60-Inch Ventless Bioethanol Fire Table
$349
1,200+ reviews
A wide rectangular flame and clean aluminum frame that fits right into a modern patio setup without needing a tank or gas line.
Shop on Amazon →2.Best Bioethanol Fire Table for Small Spaces
The Anywhere Fireplace Gramercy Outdoor Bioethanol Fire Bowl keeps things compact at around 30 inches across. It's designed to sit on a deck or patio as a standalone piece, and the open bowl design gives you a 360-degree flame view that works great when people are sitting all around it. On a 10x10 balcony or small deck, this fits without crowding the space.
Filling it takes about half a liter of fuel, which gives you roughly 90 minutes of burn time at moderate intensity. That's shorter than a full evening, but you can refill mid-session in under two minutes once the bowl has cooled. This is a good fit for apartment patios or situations where you want fire ambiance without any infrastructure commitment.
Anywhere Fireplace Gramercy Outdoor Bioethanol Fire Bowl
$219
890+ reviews
A compact 30-inch bowl design with a 360-degree flame, perfect for small decks or apartment patios with no gas hookup.
Shop on Amazon →3.Best High-End Bioethanol Fire Table
Northwest Flame's Cascade 48-Inch Bioethanol Fire Table is the one to buy if you're treating the fire table as furniture, not just an accessory. It has a powder-coated steel frame with a concrete-look tabletop surround, and the burner cavity is deep enough that the flame sits protected from wind. At 48 inches, it seats 6 people comfortably without anyone feeling crowded near the heat.
The build quality here is noticeably better than budget bioethanol tables. The burner lid snuffs the flame in seconds without smoke, and the fuel reservoir has a sliding cover that prevents spills when you're moving it around. If you've already invested in quality patio furniture and want a fire table that doesn't look out of place, this is it. Running costs work out to about $1.50 to $2 per hour using standard bioethanol fuel.
Northwest Flame Cascade 48-Inch Bioethanol Fire Pit Table
$499
640+ reviews
A concrete-look tabletop, deep wind-protected burner cavity, and quality build that holds up next to premium patio furniture.
Shop on Amazon →4.Best Propane Fire Table for Real Heat Output
The Endless Summer GAD17993SP 52-Inch Propane Fire Table puts out 50,000 BTUs, which you can actually feel from 4 to 5 feet away. On a clear evening in the low 50s, it's enough to keep a group of 6 warm without anyone needing to grab a blanket. The table has a rectangular wicker-look base with a large burner area filled with lava rocks, and it connects to a standard 20-pound propane tank stored in the cabinet below.
This one is built for open patios and backyard setups rather than enclosed spaces. Propane combustion produces carbon monoxide, so a roof overhead needs to be properly vented. On an open pergola with lattice sides it's fine, but in a fully enclosed screened porch it's not the right call. At 52 inches, it works well as a centerpiece for a larger seating area with 6 to 8 chairs arranged around it.
Endless Summer GAD17993SP 52-Inch Propane Fire Table
$449
3,800+ reviews
50,000 BTUs of real warmth with built-in propane tank storage in the base, sized right for a 6 to 8 person outdoor seating area.
Shop on Amazon →5.Best Mid-Range Propane Fire Table
Legacy Heating's 44-Inch Square Propane Fire Pit Table hits the sweet spot between price and functionality. It puts out around 40,000 BTUs, enough warmth for most fall evenings, and the square shape works better than rectangular on square or L-shaped patio layouts. The powder-coated steel frame has a tile inlay around the burner that looks more expensive than the price suggests.
The ignition is a simple push-button piezo with no matches needed, and the included lava rocks fill out the burner pan nicely right out of the box. If you're building out a new patio seating area on a medium budget, this one pairs well with 4 chairs on a 12x12 patio without dominating the space. It uses the same standard 20-pound tank as any barbecue grill, so you can rotate tanks without buying anything special.
Legacy Heating 44-Inch Square Propane Fire Pit Table
$389
2,100+ reviews
40,000 BTU output with a tile-inlay tabletop and push-button ignition, a smart mid-range option for square patio layouts.
Shop on Amazon →6.Best Budget Propane Fire Table
Bond Manufacturing's Hunter 50-Inch Round Propane Fire Table is a consistent top seller in the under-$350 category, and it earns that spot. The round shape is friendlier for groups since there's no head or foot of the table and everyone sits at equal distance from the flame. It has a 40,000 BTU burner and comes with both lava rocks and glass beads, which is a nice touch since most tables ship with just one filler option.
The wicker-look resin base holds up well to outdoor exposure and the frame stays solid after a couple of seasons. It's not the most refined-looking table at close range, but from across a patio at night with the fire going it looks great. This is a good fit for anyone setting up their first outdoor fire table who doesn't want to spend $500 before knowing how much they'll actually use it.
Bond Manufacturing Hunter 50-Inch Round Propane Fire Table
$329
4,600+ reviews
A 50-inch round propane table with 40,000 BTUs and both lava rocks and glass beads included, one of the best values in the category.
Shop on Amazon →Quick Tips for Choosing Your Fire Pit Table
Check your overhead situation first. Propane produces carbon monoxide. Under a fully enclosed patio roof or screened porch, bioethanol is the safer choice. Open pergolas with good air movement are generally fine for propane.
Factor in fuel costs over a full season. Propane is cheaper per hour of burn time than bioethanol, usually $0.50 to $0.80 per hour versus $1.50 to $2.50 for bioethanol. If you use your fire table three nights a week, that difference adds up fast.
Plan your tank logistics before the first cold night. A 20-pound propane tank lasts about 8 to 10 hours at high burn. Keep a spare tank so you're not mid-party with no fuel. Bioethanol fuel stores on a shelf with no special handling required.
Match BTU output to how you actually entertain. If you host large groups in cool weather, you want a propane table with 40,000-plus BTUs. If you mostly use the fire for ambiance during warm months, bioethanol's lower output is perfectly adequate.
Wind affects both fuel types differently. Bioethanol flames are more susceptible to wind and can flicker aggressively or extinguish in breezy conditions. Propane tables with deeper burner cavities handle wind better. Look for a recessed burner if your spot gets gusty.
Bioethanol needs no setup; propane needs a regulator check. New propane fire tables should have the regulator and hose connections inspected before first use. Bioethanol tables have no fittings to check. Both types should sit on a stable, level surface away from combustibles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a bioethanol fire pit table on a covered patio?
Yes, with adequate ventilation. Bioethanol burns cleanly and produces water vapor and CO2, similar to a candle. A covered patio, screened porch with open panels, or pergola all work well as long as there's reasonable airflow.
How much does it cost to run a bioethanol fire table per hour?
Most bioethanol burners consume about 0.25 to 0.5 liters per hour. At current fuel prices of around $4 to $6 per liter, that works out to roughly $1 to $3 per hour depending on the burner size and heat setting.
Is a propane fire pit table safe on a wood deck?
Generally yes, as long as the table has a stable base and the burner sits at least 12 to 18 inches above the deck surface. Keep furniture covers, cushions, and fabric clear of the flame and follow the clearance guidelines in the manufacturer's instructions.
Which type of fire table lasts longer?
Both can last many years with basic care. Propane tables have more mechanical components like regulators and igniters that may need replacing over time. Bioethanol tables have fewer moving parts but the burner insert can corrode if not kept clean and dry between uses.
Can you cook over a bioethanol fire table?
No. Bioethanol fuel contains alcohol and other additives that are not safe for cooking. Propane fire tables are also not designed for cooking. For actual outdoor cooking, use a grill.