Firepits & Chimineas

Fuel types and heat styles available in fire pits and outdoor heaters

Want your backyard to still be usable once the sun goes down and the temperature drops? Our range of outdoor heating covers apartment-friendly electric patio heaters through to wood-burning fire pits built as a proper gathering focal point. Which one suits your home comes down to space and smoke tolerance.

A wood-burning fire pit suits a larger backyard, where you want a real focal point for people to gather around. A gas fire pit or electric outdoor heater is the more practical choice for a smaller courtyard, where smoke drifting back onto a neighbour’s balcony is a real concern. If you’re renting or working with a balcony, a freestanding electric heater is usually the safest and most landlord-friendly option of the three, since it sidesteps open-flame restrictions entirely. If beautiful summer nights keep ending too early, start here.

Add outdoor umbrellas and gazebos for shade earlier in the evening before the heater takes over, and bring in outdoor coffee and side tables to keep drinks close to the group.

Chiminea versus open fire pit heat distribution

A chiminea concentrates heat in one direction through its enclosed firebox and chimney. That suits a smaller patio where you want to warm one specific seating zone, without radiating heat in every direction and pushing everyone further back from the flame than they’d like. Open bowl fire pits spread warmth more evenly around the full perimeter instead, so they work better when seating is arranged in a circle, rather than a row facing one direction.

Which of the two suits your space really comes down to how your outdoor seating is already laid out. Retrofitting a circular seating arrangement around a chiminea, or a row of chairs around an open pit, tends to leave someone too far from the heat. It’s worth sketching out the seating you already have before choosing between the two styles.

If your current seating doesn’t quite suit either shape, our wood sun lounges and deck chairs are easy to rearrange around whichever style you land on.

Seasonal care for steel and cast iron fire pits

Steel and cast iron fire pits should be covered when not in use, particularly over the wetter months. Standing water sitting in the bowl accelerates rust and degrades the finish far faster than the same fire pit stored under a simple cover would, which makes covering it one of those maintenance steps that costs very little but makes a genuine difference to how many seasons the piece lasts.

A light coat of high-heat resistant paint applied at the start of each summer helps a fire pit hold its finish for years longer than one left to weather untreated, and it’s a job that only takes an afternoon. It’s worth checking local fire ban restrictions before the season starts at the same time, as regulations can change between seasons, even in areas where a fire pit was previously fine.

Add a white outdoor bench nearby for extra seating around the fire once it’s set up for the season.

Frequently asked questions

Are fire pits legal to use in all Australian states?

Regulations vary by state and local council, and many areas impose total fire bans on high-risk days. Always check with your local council before using a wood-burning fire pit.

How far should a fire pit be placed from the house?

The general recommendation is a minimum of 3 metres from any structure, fence or overhanging vegetation. Some manufacturers specify greater clearances, so check the product documentation for the model you choose.

What is the difference between a chiminea and a fire pit?

A chiminea has an enclosed firebox with a chimney stack that directs smoke upward and forward. A fire pit is an open bowl that radiates heat and light in all directions but produces more ambient smoke.

Can I use a fire pit on a timber deck?

Using a wood-burning fire pit directly on a timber deck is not recommended due to the risk of embers and heat damage. If you want to use one on a deck, place it on a fire-rated mat rated to at least 500 degrees Celsius.

How much does it cost to run a gas patio heater?

A mid-range LPG patio heater running at around 13kW consumes approximately one 9kg gas bottle every 8 to 10 hours of use. Electric infrared heaters typically cost between $0.10 and $0.30 per hour to run.