Can you put a fire pit on a timber deck?

Short answer: it depends on what the fire burns. A bioethanol or gas fire pit table holds a clean flame in a burner at table height, with no embers and no ash, and is the usual choice for a deck. A wood-burning fire pit throws sparks and heat downward, and needs much more care on timber.

Why the fuel makes the difference

Bioethanol fire pit tables

The flame sits in a stainless steel burner set into the table. There are no sparks to land on the boards, no hot embers to fall out and no ash to tip. Our fire pit tables are freestanding furniture built for patios and outdoor rooms, and nothing needs to be connected. Follow the manufacturer's clearances for the model you choose.

Gas fire pit tables

Most EcoSmart tables can also be ordered for LPG or natural gas. The flame is just as clean, but you have a bottle or a gas line to allow for.

Wood-burning fire pits

Wood is a different proposition on a deck. Sparks and embers can land on timber, and a steel bowl radiates heat downward. If you want a wood fire on or near a deck, follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly, put it on a non-combustible, heat-resistant base, and keep it well clear of the house and railings. Many wood fire pits are better placed on paving or gravel beside the deck. Our Glowbus Dewdrop burns wood as standard and is made from Corten steel, which also weathers to a rust patina that can stain surfaces beneath it.

A checklist for your deck

• Look up. Check the clearance the manufacturer requires above the flame. Pergolas, eaves, shade sails and umbrellas all count.
• Look around. Keep the clear space specified to railings, furniture, cushions and plants.
• Check the surface. The fire needs to sit level and stable.
• Think about weight. Concrete fire tables are heavy. If your deck is raised, check it can carry the table and the people around it.
• Plan for wind. In light wind a bioethanol flame is fine. On an exposed deck a glass fire screen protects the flame and keeps it steady.
• Cover it. Close the burner when the fire is out, and use an All-Seasons Cover between uses to keep rain and debris out.
• Store fuel safely. Sealed, upright, out of the sun and away from the fire.
• Check before you light. Fire restrictions can apply to outdoor fires. See outdoor fireplace rules in NZ.

What about a covered deck or outdoor room?

A bioethanol table makes no smoke, which is why people like them under cover. The overhead clearance still applies, so check the figure for your model against your ceiling or louvre height before you buy.

Renting or in an apartment?

Check your body corporate rules or ask your landlord before you put any fire on a balcony or shared deck.

Ask us about your deck

Send us a photo and the rough dimensions and we will tell you which fire suits and what clearances to allow. Call 0800 468 836 or see the tables lit in our Takapuna showroom, open seven days.