Are you planning a relaxing dinner date with your special someone? Or perhaps you’re preparing for a party with your family and friends.
Either way, you surely don’t want your propane fire pit sizzling out in the middle of the fun. And with that in mind, you’re likely wondering how long propane fire pits last.
Well, you’re in luck stumbling upon this post.
Allow me to share everything you should know about keeping your propane fire pit burning!
How Long Does a Propane Fire Pit Last?
As with most things, how long your propane fire pit lasts will depend on a few factors, including its BTUs. And if you’re a math wizard, there’s a formula you can use to calculate it.
However, you’re probably not looking for a math problem right now. Right?
The answer can vary. But on average, a fire pit should provide around seven to eight hours of warmth with a standard 20 lbs propane tank. That’s on a typical 50,000 BTU fire pit.
In other words, it mostly depends on your fire pit BTU. The higher your BTU is, the faster your fire pit will burn through your fuel.
I mentioned BTU as one of the primary factors. But what is it, exactly?
The British Thermal Unit (BTU) is a measurement system for energy. When applied to fire pits, it measures the potential heat it or the fuel can generate.
How Much Propane Does a Fire Pit Use?
An outdoor fire pit’s BTU output ranges between 30,000 and 100,000. The closer it is to 100,00 BTU, the more warmth it releases and the more fuel it consumes.
You can generally identify a high-BTU grill based on the flame height. But the fuel type can also affect its rating depending on its flammability or burning intensity.
For your reference, a 20-pound cylinder contains about 430,960 BTUs of liquid propane. A gallon of propane holds around 91,502, so a pound of this liquid gas should have over 21,548 BTUs.
Given that, how long does a 20 lbs propane tank last on a fire pit?
Let’s say your grill constantly runs on a constant 70,000 BTU. You then divide the total BTUs of your fuel by that number to get an estimate.
That gives us six to seven hours of burn time for a 20 lbs propane tank.
When used solely for grilling, a propane-fueled fire pit can burn longer for up to 20 hours! Plenty enough for a whole night’s party, right?
How to Prolong Propane Fire Pit Burning Time
What if you plan to stay all night and want to extend your fire pit’s life longer than a mere seven hours? In that case, the most obvious solution is to lower the grill’s flame, reducing its BTU output.
Maintain Fire Pit BTU Rating
Keep the BTU as low as possible to ensure your fuel doesn’t burn quickly. Although, you’ll still want to consider the space you want to warm.
If you’re gathering in a small to medium space, a BTU output of 40,000 to 50,000 is ideal. For larger environments, such as outdoors, you can go up to 200,000 BTU.
The bottom line is to factor in the space, environment, and weather. You can save a few bucks by lowering your fire pit’s heat output, but don’t let your guests freeze!
Install Fire Pit Windscreen
Another fantastic solution is installing a glass windguard or windscreen. These tempered glass sheets will block the wind, reducing the fire pit’s propane consumption while maintaining a steady and enjoyable flame.
Aside from wind shielding, a wind guard adds a layer of protection for your property and yourself. Embers can fly out of the grill, so having a screen to protect your pets, children, or guests is a welcome benefit.
Of course, windscreens provide more than protection. With plenty of designs available, they can be that stylish touch your old fire pit is missing!
Cost of Operating Propane Fire Pit
If you’re wondering about propane consumption, chances are you’re also thinking about the cost. So, here’s a breakdown of how much you can expect to pay to operate propane-fueled fire pits:
Propane Operation Cost
On average, homeowners pay 80 cents to $11 an hour to operate gas-fueled fire pits. The type of fuel and your grill’s BTU can affect this overall cost.
Propane fuel is generally more expensive than natural gas. It’s sitting at 65 cents for every 1,000 BTU compared to the latter’s 12 cents.
To illustrate, here’s how much you pay for your propane fuel based on your fire pit BTU output:
- 65,000 BTU: $4.23 per hour
- 90,000 BTU: $5.85 per hour
- 125,000 BTU: $8.14 per hour
- 165,000 BTU: $10.74 per hour
Note that these amounts are simply estimates, though.
To determine your household fuel expenses, multiply your fire pit BTU output by the per-therm cost of gas in your area. Then, divide the product by 100,000 to get the hourly running cost.
FAQs
What are the cons of a propane fire pit?
While a propane pit is exceptionally portable, it does have a few disadvantages.
One common complaint is propane’s high operating costs. You’ll also need to replace the fuel tank frequently to use the fire pit.
Can you change a propane fire pit to natural gas?
You can switch your fire pit’s fuel from propane to natural gas. However, the process requires professional assistance as it involves repurposing the appliance and connecting it to a gas line.
What size propane tank to get for a fire pit?
The standard propane tank size is 20 lbs. This tank can burn for seven to nine hours. Depending on your space size, you might need a 33 or 100 lbs propane cylinder.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, how long your propane fire pit lasts depends on several factors. Some of the most vital factors are your fire pit BTU output, fuel tank size, and the environment.
A propane fire pit with a 20 lbs fuel tank should burn for six to nine hours at moderate BTU output. But you can extend its life with simple tricks like keeping the fire low and installing a stylish windscreen.
With that, you can now enjoy a warm fire pit party!