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Few things are upgraded a backyard or patio like a fireplace. They look and feel great, acting as a magnet for guests to relax as the sun goes down. But now there's a new kind of fire pit on the block – fire tables – replacing old school pits everywhere.
At a Glance: The Best Fire Tables
Fire tables are essentially just elevated fireplaces with a little extra surface area for setting up drinks, snacks or other tasty food. In addition to looking a bit more sophisticated than most fire pits, the best fire tables are easier to fit into a standard backyard layout, and the table space means you don't have to deal with an outdoor coffee table and a fire pit.
The best fire tables to buy online
Below are some of the best fire tables you will find online. We've selected a variety of tables — from sleek modern fire tables to minimal, more affordable units — so there should be something for every budget and backyard style. To create this list, we tested some of the best-selling fire tables, researched top-rated options on the web, and consulted expert and customer reviews. The final picks below are all in stock at reputable online retailers and have an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars (as of writing).
Editor's Choice
Grand Patio Fire Outdoor Propane Table
This Grand Patio Fire Table ticks all the right boxes. It's powerful enough to keep a group of people warm with 50k BTU output, offers plenty of table space and the wicker design looks great with a range of patio furniture. Moreover, its price is very reasonable at $350. It's 43 inches long and 29 inches deep, which is about the size of a coffee table, and fits nicely between a sofa and two chairs.
Budget option
Outdoor Bali Gas Fire Table
If you're looking for something affordable, check out this campfire table from Bali Outdoors currently on Amazon for just $160. And, even though the price is very low, you don't sacrifice quality or functionality in something like the Grand Patio option above. The only difference is the size: This is a 28-inch square, which gives you less desktop space.
The best look
EcoSmart Fire Table Manhattan 50
In terms of looks, the best fire table is this EcoSmart Manhattan 50. It runs on propane, natural gas or bioethanol for indoor use and has a powerful output of 65,000 BTU (propane or natural gas) and 20,000 BTU on bioethanol.
One of our favorite features of the Manhattan 50 is the half fire and half coffee table design. This clever construction means it can replace your current outdoor coffee table, as you'll still have room for snacks, drinks and books on one side. Another benefit of the split design is that the Manhattan 50 looks gorgeous — especially in thick teak, pictured above.
INSIDE OUT
EcoSmart Fire Table Ark 40
Want to take that warm fire inside? Take this Ark 40 fire table, also from EcoSmart. Runs on natural gas or propane for outdoor installations or bioethanol for lower efficiency, indoor friendly. If you choose to use it outside, be sure to choose propane, which the small fire will turn into 65,000 BTUs of heat. We used the Ark 40 for a few nights and couldn't get enough of looking at the elegant table. It was very easy to turn it on and off (even without instructions) and was extremely durable.
Stone peak
Hampton Bay Crossridge
Stone is a very popular choice for outdoor coffee tables, it withstands the elements and looks great. This at an affordable price Crossridge Fire Table from Hampton Bay uses durable material for a sturdy, gorgeous option. It runs on propane, so it turns on and off very quickly. The Crossridge is very highly rated at Home Depot, with some reviewers attesting to years of use.
Great for decks
Outland Living Fire Table
Another solid fire table is this one from Outland Living. The body is made of wicker (which comes in either espresso brown or slate gray) and the table top is made of tempered glass with ice stones in the fireplace. It's very powerful with 50k BTUs and you can protect the flame with this glass wind guard (sold separately) if the fire is somewhere windy.
Table fire
Solo Stove Mesa
Want to turn any outdoor table into a fire table? Check out the Solo Stove Mesa. The mini fire pit is about seven inches tall and five inches wide (there's also a larger XL version), perfect for picnic tables and other outdoor furniture. It uses pellets or wood as fuel, making it a great choice for making s'mores or cooking small dishes while camping. Like the full-size Solo Stove, our tester found the Mesa durable and easy to use.
How do fire tables work?
The best fire tables are larger than fire pits and use a hidden fuel tank (usually propane) connected to a burner to run it, rather than burning wood. The tank is hidden under the table and is connected to the burner via a hose.
To start the table, you push the button on an electric starter and turn a dial to control the flame intensity. If you've ever used a propane grill, you'll be familiar with the process.
Fire Table Buying Guide
Not all fire tables are created equal. Here are some of the key factors to consider when buying one.
Size: Fire tables are usually square or rectangular in shape and fit nicely among furniture as an alternative to a coffee table. Be sure to measure the space where you will place your new fire table and shop accordingly.
Stamina: Fire tables are large and quite heavy, which means you'll probably keep them outside for one or more seasons. We made sure the fire tables we chose were designed with materials that should withstand some rain or come with a cover.
Heat generation: In the United States, heat from flames is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). The fire tables we've chosen range from 38,000 BTU to 65,000 BTU, which is enough to keep you warm when you're around the fire.
Tank storage: All the fire tables in this guide have room to hold the fuel tank under them and are equipped with a hose for easy connection. Please note that you will need to purchase fuel tanks separately.
How We Picked the Best Fire Tables
To make this list, we tested some of the best-selling fire tables ourselves and thoroughly researched the top picks from other experts and consumers. We looked for fire tables that were easy to use, well made (especially since they'll likely be sitting outside), and strong enough to provide significant heat. After landing on several finalists, we gathered more customer reviews and made sure the options above were available on at least one major retailer's website and had great customer reviews.
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