How to choose gas, electric, or wood-burning for your Firepit

Outdoor fireplaces are among the trendiest and most sought-after outdoor features. An outdoor fireplace is great for your outdoor living space and can improve even the most magnificent patio. Decorative gas fireplace inserts are also popular for outdoor entertainment. Outdoor firepits and fireplaces are somewhere people can gather around.

If you’re looking to build a fireplace, Red Branch Outdoor Living has some pros and cons of different outdoor fireplaces. Keep these in mind when choosing the best fireplace for your situation.

Wood-burning fireplaces are among the oldest and most traditional fireplaces around. They have always been valued for their aesthetic appeal. It’s impossible to deny the timeless look, smell, and sound of a wood fire.

Pros of Wood-Burning Fireplaces

• There’s no beating the ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace thanks to the woodsy aroma and crackling logs.
• A wood fireplace keeps going even if your electricity or gas goes out, giving you somewhere to stay warm and providing a source of light.
• You can choose from different types of firewood to burn, including wood that burns longer or is particularly aromatic.

Cons of Wood-Burning Fireplaces

• You’ll have to buy or chop firewood and store it so that it stays dry until needed.
• It’s unsafe to leave a wood fire unattended because warm ashes can re-spark fires or start new ones.
• These fireplaces require annual maintenance that could affect your insurance premiums and may be unsafe to use without regular inspections.
• Wood-burning fireplaces aren’t as efficient as other fireplaces, but they can be made more efficient with inserts.

As much as we value savoring the moment, it’s impossible to deny most of us still live fast-paced and are busy. Not everyone has the time to deal with firewood and the time it takes for a wood fire to start burning. The good news is, you can start a fire without any problems with a gas fireplace. It’s never been easier to cozy up to a warm fire with a gas fireplace. Consider decorative gas fireplace inserts to add a touch of class to your outdoor fireplace.

Pros of Gas Fireplaces

• Gas fires light instantly and offer instant gratification. With the flick of a switch or the push of a button, your fire is burning and everyone is basking in its warmth.
• Gas fireplaces are more efficient than wood-burning stoves. You can use a gas fireplace to zone heat to keep certain outdoor areas warmer than others.
• Gas fireplaces require minimal maintenance. There’s no ash or soot to worry about cleaning up. Even so, you should get an annual inspection as you would with a wood fireplace. These inspections ensure the fireplace is working safely and efficiently.
• You can light and use a gas fireplace to stay warm even if your electricity goes down – so long as the gas stays on.

Cons of Gas Fireplaces

• Installing a gas fireplace is more expensive, especially if you also need to install a new gas line for it.
• While the ceramic logs in a gas fireplace are more realistic than you might expect, these fires still miss the full effect of a genuine burning fire. There’s no crackling or smoky wooden smell to enjoy.

The world is getting more digitized each day. That digitization even stretches to fireplaces with the increased popularity of electric fireplaces. These fireplaces can create an image of moving flames to create the illusion of a genuine fireplace.

Electric fireplaces also produce plenty of heat but at a fraction of the cost of other fireplace options. They are more efficient than other options, but they do have some drawbacks worth considering. 

Pros of Electronic Fireplaces

• Electric fireplaces are the cheapest outdoor fireplace option.
• It’s easy to find, buy, and install an electric fireplace.
• Electric fireplaces are highly portable and easy to move around.
• These fireplaces are ideal for smaller spaces where a bigger wood or gas fireplace wouldn’t fit.

Cons of Electronic Fireplaces

• The fire is fake.
• They don’t work during a power outage.
• The heat isn’t good value for money as an electric fireplace is basically a space heater with extra ambiance.
• There aren’t as many different style options for electric fireplaces compared to gas and wood-burning fireplaces.

No matter which different outdoor fireplaces you choose for your outdoor living space, it helps to work with a professional team. We have you covered at Red Branch Outdoor Living! If you live along the Eastern Shore in Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, or Mobile we can help you select a fire feature for your backyard and build it for you!