Fire Table Focus

If your love language is bonfires and your favorite food group is s’mores, then a fire table or fire table set is an investment that you’re sure to enjoy for years to come. Even those who aren’t avid outdoor living lovers may enjoy the unbeatable ambiance and accessibility of a fire table. While fire tables have been around for years, they continue to gain popularity and for good reason. There are more options on the market today, including different price points, sizes, looks and heat options, making fire tables a versatile investment that can suit almost anyone’s outdoor space.

First things first. What exactly is a fire table? Fire tables are outdoor patio tables with durable fire bowls in the center, often run by propane gas. Read on to learn more about fire table options, sets, styles, and uses of fire tables.

What’s lighting the fire table trend?

While fire tables run on easy-to-manage propane tanks, their ease of use is just one of the many factors that have contributed to their popularity. Fire tables bring the ambiance of a bonfire to the patio (deck or other outdoor living hot spot), without the mess and work of a wood-burning fire pit. Here are some additional advantages of outdoor fire tables:

1. Convenience: With a fire table, you can light a fire in seconds. No fiddling with kindling, damp wood, smoky starts and adding fuel. The fire stays steady throughout your enjoyment. And it’s easy to turn off with the switch of a…well, switch.

2. Safety: They’re smokeless and ash-free, which means no worries about wind and no more moving seats to avoid being covered in a cloud of smoke all night. Make sure that you are purchasing UL and CSA fire rated tables. This means that they meet the required safety standards, so that you and your family can stay safe while enjoying your outdoor space.

3. Maintenance: They are much easier to maintain than traditional bonfires, and much, much easier to clean.

The latest fire table options

There are many fire table designs available that offer different looks and function to best suit your backyard spot. You can select from a variety of sizes and shapes, from rounded options to square and rectangular tables. The tables themselves come in a variety of materials including metal, poly-wood, or faux concrete bases with tile, stone, slate, concrete, synthetic materials, cast and metal table top options.

When shopping for a fire table or fire table set, it’s best to consider how you picture your evenings spent outdoors. If you want a more traditional table, there are lots of options where you can first dine and then turn on the fire for dessert or drinks. There are also more casual arrangements that switch out the outdoor dining chairs for lounge seating, perfect for a more relaxed evening of casual conversation and cozy companionship.

Here are some of the most popular trends we’re seeing in fire tables from some of today’s biggest manufacturers in the flame game.

Turning up the ambiance…and down the heat – Many fire table options are offering longer burning times, so the party can go on and on. These fire tables output less BTUs, with the focus more on a cozy ambiance than the heat source.

Reaching new heights – In the last few years, we’ve seen fire tables sets that were either chat height (24-inches give or take) or coffee table height (coming in lower, around 18-inches). Now, they’re meeting in the middle. There’s a variety of options with heights around 22-inches. It allows you to still have the height, without the need for specialty gas tanks.

Moderate price points – This summer season, fire tables are more accessible than before to many families with more price points available. It’s important to speak with an outdoor furniture expert to consider the different features, options and quality, and then decide what investment is right for you.

Flame variations – Want something that will truly impress your guests? Choose from different fire patterns, such as entire bowls with flames, two rays coming out of a single bowl, and even star fire patterns.

Glass jewelry – It’s easy to accessorize your backyard with some glass jewelry for your fire table. Choose from accent glass or lava rock. By making a low-cost switch, such as changing over from lava rock to amber fire beads, you can refresh your patio for a new season of enjoyment. There are plenty of options. Need inspiration? Consider coordinating with the cushions on your furniture. Or suit your preferred design style: choose black and clear fire beads for a contemporary vibe, or amber tones for a more traditional look.

Wrapping it all up

Once you’ve found a fire table that’s the right size and style for your outdoor space, it’s important to take care of it. While fire tables are easy to maintain, they are like any other outdoor furnishing or accessory. You’ll get the most out of your investment if you protect it from the elements. Use protective covers to keep your fire table dry and ready to use. Covers also keep contaminants out of the fire bowl, so your fire table is clean and always ready to use.

An extra sweet bonus

We simply can’t wrap up an article about fire tables without a shout-out to s’mores. They are a sweet treat that’s sure to be a hit at any outdoor summer gathering, and made even easier with the convenience of a fire table. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with some classic s’mores, consider changing it up this summer with a few variations. Read our s’mores bar party ideas to help you think outside the graham cracker. You can also consider adding a patriotic twist to your s’mores for your summer holiday celebrations. Add some red and blue sprinkles on top of a roasted marshmallow, or sneak in a serving of fruit by adding a layer of sliced strawberries and blueberries to your sweet treat. Enjoy!