Outdoor Gas Fireplaces

An outdoor gas fireplace turns a deck, patio, or covered porch into a year round gathering space without the smoke, sparks, ash, or fire restrictions that come with wood.

Outdoor gas fireplaces use the same direct vent or ventless technology as their indoor counterparts but with stainless steel components, weather sealed controls, and corrosion resistant burners engineered for outdoor exposure. Most run on natural gas connected to the home supply or on a propane tank for off grid locations. They light instantly with a switch or remote, produce no smoke, and meet local fire code in areas where open wood burning is prohibited.

Every outdoor gas fireplace at Fireplace Insider ships free nationwide with white glove delivery and is backed by our price match guarantee. We carry traditional masonry style units, modern linear designs, see through models for poolside zones, and complete fire pit packages from Heatilator, Majestic, Napoleon, Real Flame, Valor, and other premium outdoor brands.

20 plus years in the hearth industry Factory authorized dealer NFI certified specialists Engineered for outdoor exposure

How to Choose the Right Outdoor Gas Fireplace

Six considerations that determine whether your outdoor fireplace gets used every weekend or sits unused after the first summer.

Confirm the unit is rated for outdoor use

An indoor gas fireplace installed outside will fail within one or two seasons. Outdoor rated units use 304 or 316 stainless steel burners, weather sealed valves, UV resistant gaskets, and IP rated electrical components. Look for explicit outdoor certification on the spec sheet. Covered patio and fully exposed are different ratings, so confirm your install location matches.

Decide between natural gas and propane

Natural gas from a permanent supply line is the cheaper fuel and never runs out. It requires running a gas line from the house to the fireplace location, typically $400 to $1,200 by a licensed installer. Propane from a tank gives you placement flexibility (no trenching required) and is the only option if natural gas is not available at the property. A 20 pound propane tank runs a typical outdoor fireplace for 8 to 12 hours. Larger 100 pound or in ground tanks extend that significantly.

Match the size to the gathering you actually host

Outdoor fireplaces range from 30 inch personal units to 72 plus inch entertaining centerpieces. A 36 to 42 inch unit seats four to six comfortably. A 60 inch linear unit anchors a patio for 8 to 12 guests. Oversize for the number of people you actually entertain, not the maximum your space can hold. An oversized outdoor fireplace becomes the dominant feature and dwarfs the rest of the patio.

Plan the clearances to combustibles

Outdoor fireplaces require clearances to wood structures, railings, eaves, and overhead combustibles. Standard requirements are 36 inches to the front, 12 to 24 inches to the sides, and 10 to 12 feet vertical clearance from the burner to any roof or pergola structure. A covered porch installation may also require additional vent considerations. Confirm clearances against your patio layout before ordering.

Choose your ignition and control system

Outdoor models use three ignition types. Match light is the simplest and most reliable but requires you to manually light the burner each time. Push button piezo ignition adds a manual spark generator, still no battery required. Electronic ignition with a remote or wall switch is the most convenient but requires a 120 volt outlet and works through a control box that needs occasional maintenance in outdoor conditions. For exposed locations, match light or piezo is more reliable long term.

Plan for off season protection

Even outdoor rated units last longer when protected from winter exposure. Plan for a fitted weatherproof cover (sold by most manufacturers as an accessory) for storage between uses. For propane models, the tank should be shut off and disconnected when not in use for more than a few weeks. For natural gas, the gas valve at the appliance should be turned off but the supply line can remain pressurized.

Outdoor Gas Fireplace Questions

The questions our hearth specialists answer most often before a customer places an order.

Can I have a gas fireplace outside?

Yes, but only with a unit specifically rated for outdoor use. Indoor gas fireplaces installed outside void the warranty and typically fail within one or two seasons due to corrosion and moisture intrusion. Outdoor rated units use stainless steel components, weather sealed controls, and outdoor specific certifications. Always verify the unit is rated for outdoor exposure before ordering.

How much does an outdoor gas fireplace cost installed?

Total installed cost ranges from $3,500 to $20,000 plus. The unit itself runs $1,200 to $5,000 for mainstream models and $5,000 to $15,000 for premium linear or see through designs. Installation adds $1,500 to $5,000 depending on whether you need to run a gas line from the house, pour a concrete pad, and finish with stone veneer or stucco. A premium outdoor fireplace with a custom surround can reach $20,000 to $30,000 total.

Are outdoor gas fireplaces worth it?

For homeowners who entertain outside more than a few times a year, yes. A gas fireplace extends the usable patio season by 4 to 6 weeks in spring and fall, eliminates the smoke and ash that come with wood, and lights instantly with no kindling. They also work in fire restricted areas where wood is prohibited. Resale value typically returns 50 to 70 percent of the install cost, and they are consistently cited as one of the top three outdoor features buyers want.

Do outdoor gas fireplaces need venting?

It depends on the install location. Fully exposed outdoor fireplaces (no roof or overhang) do not require vent piping because combustion gases dissipate naturally. Covered porch or pergola installations may require vent piping or restrict the BTU rating, depending on the manufacturer and local code. Always confirm vent requirements with the manufacturer for your specific install location.

How long does an outdoor gas fireplace last?

A quality outdoor gas fireplace from a premium manufacturer typically lasts 10 to 20 years, less than an indoor unit because of constant exposure to moisture, UV, and temperature swings. Stainless steel burners and valves outlast carbon steel components by 5 to 10 years. The most common service items are the ignition module (5 to 8 years in outdoor conditions), the thermocouple, and the gas valve. A weatherproof cover and annual inspection extend service life significantly.

FI

Curated by the Fireplace Insider hearth team

Fireplace Insider is operated by hearth specialists with more than two decades of fireplace installation experience and thousands of completed projects. Every outdoor unit in this category has been vetted by an NFI certified specialist for outdoor certification, corrosion resistance, and real world reliability in exposed conditions.

Talk to a hearth specialist