Gas vs Wood Firepit: Which One Is Right for Your Garden?
- Dominik Ag
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
When it comes to adding a firepit to your garden, one of the first decisions you’ll face is a simple but important one: gas or wood?
Both have their advantages, but the right choice comes down to how you use your space, the design of your garden, and how much maintenance you’re willing to handle.
This guide breaks it down clearly — no fluff, just the facts — so you can make the right choice for your home and lifestyle.
🔗 First, need help designing the firepit layout itself?
Start with our guide: How to Use a Firepit in Your Garden
🔥 Gas Firepits
Clean, controlled, and low effort.
Gas firepits are the go-to choice for modern gardens. With the push of a button, you get instant flame — no smoke, no ash, no fuss.
✅ Pros:
Quick and easy to light — no fire-building required
No smoke — ideal for dining areas or lounge spaces
Cleaner burn — won’t leave soot or residue on surrounding materials
Sleek, modern designs — ideal for built-in terraces or porcelain patios
Can be paired with firepit tables — stylish and multi-functional
⚠️ Things to Consider:
Requires a gas connection — either from a canister or fixed supply
May lack the ‘authentic’ fire feel — no crackling sound or scent
Slightly higher initial setup cost for built-in systems
Gas firepits are great for homeowners who value ease, style, and cleanliness — especially if you're going for a low-maintenance garden.
🔗 Want more layout ideas? See our Firepit Seating Ideas
🔥 Wood Firepits
Traditional, atmospheric, and tactile.
If you love the ritual of building a fire and want that smoky scent in the air, wood-burning firepits offer a completely different experience.
✅ Pros:
The real thing — flame, crackle, scent and all
Doesn’t require gas plumbing — easier to place in flexible locations
Simple installation — no moving parts or fuel lines
Great for rustic or natural garden designs
⚠️ Things to Consider:
Produces smoke and ash — not ideal near outdoor furniture or enclosed seating
Requires dry wood storage — and ongoing restocking
Takes longer to get going — and needs active tending
Can leave residue on surfaces over time
A wood firepit works well in larger, open gardens or informal designs where atmosphere and authenticity are top priorities.
🔍 Which One Is Right for You?
When we’re planning a firepit into a garden design, the decision between gas and wood often comes down to the kind of space you want to create.
Atmosphere & Experience:
Gas gives you soft ambience and elegance — ideal for refined spaces where you want calm, clean warmth.
Wood, on the other hand, feels more raw and immersive. It’s less about background glow and more about full sensory experience — scent, crackle, glow.
Design Fit:
Gas firepits suit modern terraces, minimal seating areas, and structured layouts with porcelain or composite materials.
Wood feels better integrated into relaxed spaces — gravel zones, meadow planting, or gardens with a more organic edge.
Placement Flexibility:
Wood firepits are easier to move around or reposition — especially if they’re freestanding.
Gas needs a permanent setup, ideally planned early in the design so it ties into services and layout.
Cost Considerations:
Gas firepits tend to have a higher upfront cost (especially built-in systems), but they’re easier long term.
Wood firepits are cheaper to set up but require ongoing effort — chopping, stacking, cleaning.
💡 Pro Tip from the Design Side
If you’re integrating a firepit into a porcelain terrace, outdoor lounge, or built-in seating zone, gas is usually the smarter choice.
If your firepit is part of a gravel zone, lawn edge, or rustic retreat, wood can feel more natural and fitting.
🔗 Need inspiration? Check out our Firepit Ideas for Stylish Garden Nights
📦 What About Hybrid Options?
Some homeowners use gas firepits most of the year and keep a portable wood burner for occasional use.
This gives you flexibility without committing fully to one or the other.
If you’re building a permanent firepit feature into your design — it’s best to pick one and do it properly.
🔥 Final Thought
There’s no “best” option — only the one that fits your life.
If you want ease, cleanliness, and a modern feel? Go gas.
If you love the smell of smoke, don’t mind a bit of maintenance, and want that campfire vibe? Wood’s your friend.
📞 Still Deciding?
We’ll help you decide what works best for your space — and how to design the whole garden around it with confidence.
If you feel like you'd like our team to take the stress out of designing and building your garden for you, click below and book a free design consultation. Make your dreams a reality.
Don't forget to download our '9 Common Mistakes To Avoid For Homeowners' guide!