Rising Fire Pit Tables

What is a rising fire pit table?

It's an outdoor table with a gas burner in the centre and legs that adjust between two heights. At the low setting it works like a coffee table in front of a sofa. Raise it and the same top becomes a dining surface, with the flame still running down the middle between the plates.

That one change solves the main problem with fire pit furniture. A low top is cosy for drinks but hopeless for a meal, and dining height feels too tall next to deep sofa cushions. A rising table does both, so you only need one piece and one set of seats in the garden.

Every one we list runs on bottled gas. Log fires and woven rattan don't mix, so wood-burning versions don't really exist. If you want real logs, our metal fire pits are the place to look.

Rising fire pit tables compared

Heights and dimensions below come from Club Rattan's own product pages; the rest is from each Amazon listing.

A dash means the maker doesn't publish that figure. The two standalone models are the same Club Rattan design in slightly different greys; on its own site Club Rattan sells it as the Harmony and Isobella firepit tables, at 139 x 79 x H50/74cm.

Dining set or standalone?

This is the first decision, and it mostly comes down to what's already outside.

Buy it on its own if you already have seats

A standalone rising firepit table slots into an existing corner sofa or lounge set. Check two numbers before you order: the sofa's seat height with cushions, and the space in front of it. At 139 x 79cm, the Club Rattan model needs about the same floor area as a six-seat dining table, plus room to pull seats out. Its 50cm low setting sits a little above most sofa seats, which is normal for a coffee table. It's a squarer fit for a small patio than a full nine seater set.

Buy a dining set if you're starting from scratch

A dining set comes with seats sized to the top. The 9407F, 9404F and both Isobella sets pair a two-part corner sofa with a bench and a stool, so people can eat on three sides of the flame. The modular pieces move round or tuck under, which is how a nine seater fits a normal garden, and the Isobella High Back can be rearranged into a square layout. For sets with a fixed-height top, see our corner garden furniture with fire pit.

Heights: what 45cm, 50cm and 74cm feel like

Rising heights only make sense next to the seats you'll use:

• 45-50cm (low) - coffee height for a sofa. You lean back, put drinks on the glass and watch the flame. Best for long evenings.
• 70.5-74cm (raised) - normal dining height (most indoor dining tables are about 75cm). You sit upright on the bench, stool or sofa edge and eat with the fire in the middle.

Deep corner sofas are lower and softer than dining chairs, so the raised setting can feel slightly high from the sofa side. That's why the sets include a firmer bench and stool. If you mostly eat outside, look at our fire pit table and chairs with proper upright dining seats.

None of the listings we've seen explain how the top goes up, so ask the seller first if you'll change it often or on your own. Raise or lower it only when the burner is off and has cooled.

Gas, burners and heat output

These run on propane patio gas, the green bottles sold by Calor and others. Club Rattan says its fire pits are CE registered and take a 5kg to 13kg green patio gas bottle, which sits inside the woven base or beside it on the hose. Calor says green patio gas cylinders take a 27mm clip-on regulator, so check one is in the box before your first evening.

• 5kg bottle - lighter and easier to fit inside the base; you'll swap it more often.
• 13kg bottle - lasts much longer between swaps but is heavy to lift. Measure the base first.

The standalone Club Rattan model is rated at 55,000 BTU, which is at the top end for this style. Most of our gas fire pits sit at 40,000 to 50,000 BTU, and there's more on output in our guide to 50,000 BTU fire pits. A flame knob turns it down for mild evenings, and the wind guard stops gusts blowing it out.

Gas safety in the garden

A gas burner is cleaner than a log fire, but the bottle still needs care:

• Use it outdoors only. Liquid Gas UK says propane must be used outdoors only. That rules out sheds and closed-in gazebos.
• Store bottles upright and outside. Calor's gas bottle storage advice says to keep them away from doors and drains, and never below ground level.
• Watch the flame. Calor's carbon monoxide advice lists lazy yellow flames and soot as warning signs.
• Turn the bottle off at the valve after every use, not just the knob.
• If you smell gas, shut every valve and keep flames and switches away. The Calor emergency line is 03457 444 999.
• Keep the lid off while it's lit, and let the glass and frame cool before you raise, lower or cover it.

Materials, weather and care

The sets use an aluminium frame with hand-woven PE rattan, which doesn't rust and copes with British weather. The standalone model has a powder-coated galvanised steel frame instead and weighs 45kg on its own, so it's not one to move round the garden. Both have UV-treated weave in a modern grey style and tempered glass tops. For more woven designs, see our rattan fire pit tables.

• Bring the cushions in or box them over winter. Club Rattan's covers unzip and wash at 30 degrees.
• Use a fitted cover when the set isn't in use, and keep water out of the burner tray.
• Take the gas bottle out of the base for winter and store it upright outside.
• Brush out the lava rocks and check the hose for cracks at the start of each season.
• Check the warranty before you buy - it varies by seller, and glass and cushions are often left out.

Planning for large gatherings? Our fire pit and chairs sets cover bigger outdoor layouts.

Rising fire pit tables FAQ

Can you eat at a rising firepit table with the fire on?

Yes, that's what the raised setting is for. The burner runs down the centre behind a glass wind guard, with space either side for plates. Keep the flame low while you eat and don't lean over the guard.

How high does a rising table go?

The Club Rattan models we list go from 45-50cm at the low setting to 70.5-74cm raised, depending on the model. That covers coffee and dining height.

Do I need a gas engineer to set one up?

No. They connect to a patio gas bottle with a clip-on regulator and hose, like a gas barbecue. Check every joint for leaks before you light it, and follow the maker's instructions.

Can I burn wood in one?

No. The burner, lava rocks and woven body are built for gas only. Wood would scorch the rattan and could crack the glass.

What size bottle fits inside?

Club Rattan says its fire pits take a 5kg to 13kg green patio gas bottle. A 5kg bottle fits inside most bases; check the inside dimensions before you rely on a 13kg one.