A fire pit burner is a device that is set inside a fire pit to provide flames. The fire pit burner is very often propane-powered and connected by a hose to a propane tank nearby. The burners can be used in conjunction with other heating items such as stones or wood, though they work just as well on their own. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and while simpler designs can be simply placed inside the fire pit and used from there, others must be installed properly and the hose that delivers the propane must be hidden from view and properly installed.
Iron and stainless steel are the two most common materials used for construction of a fire pit burner. These metals are resistant to potential damage caused by heat and they are usually durable enough to withstand weight being placed upon them. Items should not generally be placed on top of the fire pit burner, however, as this may block the holes that allow gas to escape for combustion. Some fire pit burner designs account for this by providing a surface on which objects can be placed without blocking the gas holes.
The heat that is produced from a fire pit burner is usually a fairly consistent temperature, and the size of the flame produced by the burner can usually be adjusted very easily. This makes it an ideal choice for outdoor settings with fluctuating temperatures.If aesthetics are important, however, a fire pit burner may not be the best choice, as the flame will have a blue tint at its base where the gas combusts. Burning wood will produce a more natural flame and a more aesthetically pleasing setting, though wood will give off a significant amount of smoke exhaust, potentially making the fire pit experience less convenient and pleasant. A fire pit burner will give off little or no smoke exhaust, though the smell of propane or gas will occasionally escape the burner.
Propane burners are generally cleaner than wood fire pits and require less maintenance. Wood fire pits can accrue ash that will need to be cleaned out of the pit periodically for safety, while propane burners produce no waste by-products, which means no cleaning. The openings of the burner may occasionally become clogged with grit or dirt, but these can be cleaned easily and quickly.