Rattan Fire Pit Tables

What is a rattan fire pit table?

It's a garden table woven in synthetic rattan with a burner set into the top. The burner sits in a tray of lava rock or fire glass behind a low wind guard, and the bottle hides inside the base. Drop the lid on and you've got a flat surface for drinks or dinner. Lift it, press the igniter and the fire pit is lit.

Almost all of them run on bottled gas, not wood. A log fire would scorch and melt the weave, so the woven body is really a housing for the burner. If you want to burn logs, look at our metal fire pits instead.

Coffee table or dining table: pick the height first

This is the choice that matters most, and product photos make it hard to judge. There are two heights:

• Coffee table height (about 46-62cm) - sits in front of a sofa or lounge chairs. You lean back and put your feet near the flame. The REALGLOW Warmpact is 46cm and the Goods Emporium 80cm square is 62cm.
• Dining height (about 68-72cm) - you eat at it on upright chairs, with the fire in the middle. The Club Rattan Isobella is 68cm and the Oseasons Knightsbridge XL is 72cm.

Match it to the seats you have. Dining height next to a low sofa feels like sitting at a bar, and a low top with dining chairs leaves the fire by your knees. If you want to switch between the two, a rising fire pit table lifts from coffee to dining height.

Rattan fire pit tables compared

Real figures from the products in our range, taken from each listing's specification:

Table	Type	Size (cm)	Height	Heat	Gas bottle	Frame
REALGLOW Warmpact	Coffee table	80 x 80	46cm	13kW / ~44,000 BTU	6kg butane underneath, or 13kg on the 3m hose	Rattan and glass
Goods Emporium FFT-CS	Coffee table	80 x 80	62cm	40,000 BTU	5kg propane	PE rattan, 25kg
Goods Emporium FFT-004	Rectangular table	110 x 65	70cm	40,000 BTU	5kg	Powder coated, 29kg
Club Rattan Isobella	Corner set table	150 x 90	68cm	Gas, CE registered	5kg-13kg patio gas	Aluminium
Oseasons Knightsbridge XL	Round dining table	150 diameter	72cm	Gas, dial control	Patio gas	Aluminium
Outsunny 7-piece	Rectangular dining table	150 long	Dining	50,000 BTU	Patio gas	Galvanised steel

Two things stand out. Heat output barely changes across the range: nearly every model sits at 40,000-50,000 BTU, so don't pay more for a number. Size and height change a lot, and those decide whether it works in your space.

Square, rectangular or round?

Square (80 x 80cm is the common size) is the compact choice. It fits a small patio or the middle of a corner sofa, and everyone sits the same distance from the fire.

Rectangular models (110cm to 150cm long) suit long sofas and a 6 seater or 8 seater dining set. The burner is usually a long strip down the middle, so people at the ends still get some warmth.

Round is the most sociable shape for dining. The Knightsbridge XL seats six round a 150cm top with the burner at the centre, so nobody gets the cold end.

Allow about 60cm of floor round every side for chairs to pull out, and keep it clear of fences, hedges and anything overhead. For a small space, our small fire pits list the most compact options.

Table only or a full rattan fire pit set?

A table on its own makes sense if you already own garden furniture and want to add a fire pit to it. Check the weave colour matches: grey, dark grey and brown all vary a lot between makers.

A fire pit set gets you seats that match, built to the right height. In our range you'll find:

• Corner sofa sets - the Club Rattan Isobella corner sofa, the Goods Emporium 066-CS-FT and the 9 seater Azrbopo, which arrives fully assembled. See corner garden furniture with fire pit.
• Dining sets - the Oseasons Knightsbridge XL and the Outsunny 7-piece are both 6 seater fire pit sets. See fire pit table and chairs.
• Small sofa sets - the Goods Emporium 4 seater and the white Aweather 4 seat, whose fire pit doubles as a low table.

Bigger groups should look at our fire pit and chairs sets for 6 to 9 seats.

Gas bottles, burn time and running costs

None of these include gas. You'll need a bottle and the right regulator:

• Patio gas (propane) - the green bottles sold for barbecues and heaters, usually 5kg or 13kg with a 27mm clip-on regulator. Calor patio gas bottles are the most common. Propane keeps working in cold weather, which matters for an autumn and winter fire.
• Butane - the blue bottles. It stops vaporising properly near freezing, so the fire weakens on cold nights. The Warmpact's base takes a 6kg butane bottle, but propane is the better winter fuel.

Burn time: 40,000 BTU is about 11.7kW. Propane holds roughly 13.8kWh per kg, so a 5kg bottle gives about six hours flat out and a 13kg about fifteen. Most people run the burner at half to two-thirds, which stretches that a long way. Check the bottle fits inside the base before you buy: the Goods Emporium models are built for 5kg, while the Isobella takes up to 13kg.

For more on burners and fuel, see our gas fire pits and 50,000 BTU fire pits pages.

What to check before you buy

• Frame: aluminium won't rust. Powder-coated steel is fine until the coating chips, then it can rust under the weave.
• Weave: look for PE (polyethylene) rattan that's UV stabilised. Cheaper PVC weave goes brittle and fades faster.
• Top and guard: a tempered glass top or metal lid turns the burner into a usable surface. A wind guard keeps the fire steady on a breezy British evening.
• Ignition: push-button or electronic ignition (often one AAA battery) is easier than a lighter.
• What's in the box: lava rocks, lid, wind guard and cover come with most of our range.
• Warranty: check the frame and weave warranty separately from the burner. Rattan brands often cover the frame for longer than the gas parts.
• Assembly: REALGLOW quote about 30 minutes for the Warmpact. Big sets take longer, though the Azrbopo arrives assembled.

Using a gas fire pit table safely

A rattan fire pit is a gas appliance, so treat it like one:

• Use it outdoors only, under open sky. Never put it in a conservatory, garage, tent or under a closed gazebo. Burning gas in a closed space can build up carbon monoxide - the NHS lists the symptoms.
• Keep it clear of fences, hedges, parasols and overhanging branches. Scottish Fire and Rescue have a good checklist for outdoor heaters and fire pits.
• Check the hose and regulator each season, and test for leaks with soapy water, not a flame. The HSE guidance on LPG covers safe storage of bottles.
• Turn it off at the bottle when you're done, and store spare bottles outside, upright and away from drains. Keep children and pets back - the guard gets hot.

Looking after rattan furniture through the winter

PE rattan and aluminium can stay outside all year, but a cover makes a big difference. Wash the weave with warm soapy water and a soft brush a couple of times a year, and clear leaves out of the burner tray. Store cushions dry and disconnect the bottle during long cold spells. Wet lava rock should dry on a low setting for a few minutes before you turn it up.

Rattan fire pit FAQ

Can a rattan fire pit table get wet?

Yes. PE rattan stands up to rain, and most in our range come with a cover. Keep the burner covered when it's not in use.

Is the gas bottle included?

No. Most take a 5kg bottle inside the base, and the Club Rattan Isobella takes up to 13kg.

How warm does a rattan fire pit table get?

At 40,000-50,000 BTU you'll feel it if you sit close, round a low set or a 6 seater dining set. It's a cosy fire, not a patio heater, so a throw still helps in November.

Can I burn wood in a rattan fire pit?

No. They're built for gas only. Wood would damage the burner and could set the weave alight.

What's the difference between lava rock and fire glass?

Both cover the burner and spread the flame. Lava rock looks natural and is cheap to replace. Fire glass, like the Knightsbridge's pebbles, sparkles more.