A wood-burning fire pit sounds romantic until the smoke drifts the wrong way, the kindling refuses to catch, and somebody’s jacket smells like campfire for a week. Portable propane fire pits solve the mess: clean-burning flames, no ash, no hauling logs, and a single knob for instant shutdown. They’re useful for backyards, beach trips, tailgates, and RV pads where regular campfires get banned in dry season.
The category is dominated by two brands that essentially shaped it. Flame King and Outland Living both build compact, CSA-certified bowls that run off a 20-lb BBQ propane tank, with similar shapes and similar 58,000 BTU ratings. The differences show up in size, ignition style, and what comes in the box. Choosing between them comes down to where you’ll use the pit and how much fiddling you want to do at setup.
A Side-By-Side Look
Flame King 24-inch Smokeless Propane Fire Pit
Flame King 19-inch Smokeless Propane Fire Pit
Outland Living 893 Deluxe 19-inch Fire Pit
Outland Living 883 Mega 24-inch Fire Pit
Outland Living 870 Premium 19-inch Fire Pit
Outland Living 823 Standard 19-inch Fire Pit
The wider Flame King bowl is built for backyards where people tend to spread out rather than crowd a tiny circle. Its 24-inch diameter gives the flame more visual presence from across a deck, and the 12-inch height keeps it low enough that seated guests don’t feel walled off from one another.
For RV owners or tailgaters with a dedicated outdoor spot, the self-igniter simplifies startup to a push-button affair. Setup needs no tools, the cover shrugs off UV, and the carry straps make the load manageable between trips.
Reasons It Performs
- 58,000 BTU output spreads warmth across a wider seating area than a 19-inch bowl
- Self-igniter means no hunting for a lighter in windy conditions
- Cover and carry straps included, so storage and transport are sorted out of the box
- Stabilizer ring keeps a standard propane tank locked in place during use
- No ash cleanup, which matters when the pit lives on a wooden deck
Things To Consider
- Propane tank is sold separately, adding to the total outlay
- Larger footprint is harder to fit in a sedan trunk for a quick camping run
Built For Backyard Hosts
Homeowners with a patio, deck, or lawn who want a roomier flame and don’t mind the wider stance benefit most from the larger bowl.
Swap For Something Else When
Roof-top cargo space is tight, in which case the Flame King 19-inch bowl fits more easily in smaller vehicles.
Same Flame King DNA as the larger bowl, just trimmed to a footprint that handles a sedan trunk or an RV storage bay. The 19-inch diameter drops the heat radius slightly, but the BTU output stays identical, so the flame still puts out meaningful warmth in a compact circle.
The 10-foot pre-attached hose with a regulator and QCC connector (a standard propane tank coupling) clips onto any standard 20-lb BBQ tank in seconds. Decorative lava rocks fill the bowl and give the flame a fuller, glowing look rather than a bare burner ring.
What Helps Most
- Smaller footprint slots into tighter car trunks and RV bays
- Pre-attached hose skips the part where you forget to bring fittings
- Lava rocks add visual depth without an extra purchase
- Self-igniter and weather-resistant cover come standard
Worth Noting
- Carry strap is fabric, so heavier loads may strain the stitching over time
- Narrower heat spread makes it less suited to wide patio layouts
Feature Snapshot
Perfect Match For
Campers, tailgaters, and RV travelers who prioritize a tight stow size over a wide heat radius.
Look Elsewhere When
A wide patio or large deck seating area calls for the Outland Living 883 Mega, which spreads the warmth further.
The Outland Living Deluxe is the kind of fire pit that earns its place in a garage between family weekends. Tool-free setup, a cover that handles weather, and a carry kit for when the kids want to drag it to the lake. CSA approval (a third-party safety certification) also matters in regions with seasonal campfire restrictions, where this unit is typically allowed under current fire bans.
Compared to the Flame King 19-inch bowl reviewed earlier, this one leans more toward portable comfort than ignition convenience. There’s no self-igniter here, so lighting is a manual affair, but the included carry kit offsets that with smoother transport.
What Earns Its Place
- Cover and carry kit included as standard, not as add-ons
- CSA certification clears most campfire ban restrictions
- Lightweight build makes loading into family vehicles easier
- Spark-free flame keeps decks and dry grass safer than wood
Trade Offs
- No ignition system, so a long-reach lighter or extended igniter is required
- Manual lighting in windy conditions can be a small hassle
Right Fit For
Families wanting a safe, no-mess centerpiece for backyard evenings and weekend trips alike.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Ignition convenience matters most, in which case the Outland Living 870 Premium adds auto-ignition to the same form factor.
The Mega earns its name from the wider 24-inch bowl and a 13-inch height that gives it more visual weight than the smaller Outland models. The size works well for big decks and group gatherings where chairs stretch past the typical four-seat circle.
UV- and weather-resistant materials help it handle full sun and unexpected rain without complaint. Like the other Outland bowls in this lineup, it’s CSA certified and tool-free to set up, which keeps the first-time experience smooth.
Why It Works Well
- 24-inch diameter spreads heat comfortably across larger seating arrangements
- Taller bowl height gives the flame a more substantial visual presence
- Durable cover handles extended outdoor storage
- Spark-free operation makes it safer on composite decks
Points To Note
- Heavier than 19-inch bowls, so transport takes more effort
- No ignition system, manual lighting required each session
Quick Facts
Whose Deck It Belongs On
Homeowners hosting larger gatherings on spacious patios or decks who want a wider heat radius than the 19-inch models deliver.
Consider Something Else When
Portability matters more than size, in which case the Outland Living 823 Standard keeps weight and cost lower.
The 870 Premium solves the small friction point that the standard Outland model leaves open: lighting. Matchless auto-ignition means turning a knob is the entire startup ritual, which is welcome during rainy evenings or when hands are full of marshmallow bags.
The form factor mirrors the rest of Outland’s 19-inch range, so the same carry kit, cover, and storage habits apply. For someone upgrading from the 823 Standard, the ignition system is the practical leap forward.
Features That Help
- Auto-ignition eliminates the need for matches or lighters at startup
- Same 58,000 BTU output as the rest of the 19-inch range
- Cover and carry kit included for storage and transport
- CSA approval clears most campfire restriction zones
Honest Caveats
- Battery or ignition components may need occasional replacement over years of use
- Manual lighting fails as a backup if the ignition ever gives out
Core Details
Best Suited To
Owners who want the cleanest possible startup experience without giving up the compact 19-inch form factor.
Skip It When
Budget matters more than ignition convenience, in which case the Outland Living 823 Standard delivers the same flame without the auto-ignition feature.
The Standard model strips out the extras to focus on the basics that make this category work. Same 19-inch bowl, same 58,000 BTU rating, same CSA approval that helps in regulated fire zones. The trade-off shows up in features that the 870 Premium adds, like auto-ignition and the carry kit.
For shoppers new to propane fire pits, this is a sensible entry point that proves the format works without locking them into premium pricing. Owners commonly pair it with a basic 20-lb tank and a long-reach lighter for manual ignition.
What Makes Sense
- Lower cost of entry into the propane fire pit format
- CSA approval handles fire restriction zones where wood is banned
- Compact 19-inch frame fits standard outdoor setups
- No-assembly design goes from unbox to lit in minutes
Small Caveats
- Manual ignition each session requires a lighter or match
- Carry kit and cover are typically sold separately on this trim
- Lacks the polished extras of the 870 Premium and 893 Deluxe
Who Should Grab It
First-time propane fire pit shoppers who want a low-risk way to test the format before stepping up to a Premium trim.
A Better Fit Elsewhere When
Auto-ignition and a carry kit matter from day one, in which case the Outland Living 870 Premium bundles those features.
What To Weigh Before Picking A Portable Propane Fire Pit
Size And Footprint
The two main sizes in this category, 19-inch and 24-inch bowls, behave very differently in real use. A 19-inch model is easier to carry and stow, but the heat radius works best for a small seating circle. The 24-inch bowls spread warmth across a wider arc, but they take up more trunk space and weigh more to lug between trips.
BTU Output And Tank Runtime
Most portable propane fire pits in this category put out 58,000 BTU, which translates to roughly the same peak warmth across the field. The practical variable is tank size. A standard 20-lb BBQ tank is the most common fuel source, and runtime depends on flame height rather than bowl size. Lower flames stretch the tank for hours of casual warmth, while max output burns through it much faster.
Ignition Style
Manual ignition (matches or lighters) keeps the cost down but adds a small step every time. Self-ignition or auto-ignition systems eliminate that step, useful when hands are cold, wet, or full of snacks. For most users, this is the cleanest upgrade to prioritize once the basics are covered.
Portability Accessories
Cover, carry strap, and stabilizer ring are the practical extras that affect daily ownership. Covers extend the bowl’s outdoor life between uses. Carry straps make transport less of a chore. A stabilizer ring keeps the propane tank from tipping on uneven ground, which matters at campsites and tailgates.
Certification And Fire Bans
CSA certification (Canadian Standards Association approval, widely accepted in the US) is the key marker here. In dry seasons and regulated areas, CSA-approved propane fire pits are typically permitted where wood fires are banned. Local rules vary, so it’s worth a quick check before any trip.
Practical Pointers Before Hitting Buy
Common Buying Slip Ups
Underestimating tank cost is a frequent miss. The fire pit is one piece, but a 20-lb propane tank, a regulator check, and possibly a cover all add up. Skipping CSA certification is another trap. Without it, the pit may not be usable during the dry season when it’s needed. Lastly, buying the largest bowl without checking transport space leads to a heavy, awkward carry. Match the bowl size to the vehicle and seating area rather than going purely by flame size.
What The Higher Tier Pays For
Stepping up from a Standard model to a Premium or Deluxe trim typically buys three things: auto-ignition, a bundled cover and carry kit, and a slightly sturdier overall build. For owners who light the pit often or move it regularly, those upgrades pay back quickly in saved hassle. For occasional use, the Standard trim keeps the format accessible and lets the upgrades wait.
The Takeaway
The portable propane fire pit category is mature enough that the core format is similar across brands, and the real choice is size, ignition, and included accessories. The picks above cover the main flavors: compact travel, roomier patio, ignition ease, and budget entry. Match the bowl to where it’ll live most of the time, and the rest tends to take care of itself.