5 Best Fire Pits for Wooden Decks (Avoid the Deck Burn)

If you want to avoid your wooden deck from getting torched, use a portable, elevated fire pit and a fireproof mat or a layer of metal or brick for heat insulation.

Best fire pits for wooden decks come with a deep bowl design and spark screen and are far raised off the deck.

Top Options

Best Fire Pits for Wooden Decks

1. Sunnydaze Copper Raised Outdoor Fire Pit Bowl with Spark Screen

Highlights 

• Sits 7 inches (17.78 cm) high for safety to keep the heat away from the deck
• Comes with a spark screen to keep embers and sparks from flying out
• Wide, deep fire bowl with room to add a layer of sand contain the burning wood
• Stable, sturdy legs to keep it from tipping over
• Poker makes it easy to safely handle burning wood

Why It’s Great for Wooden Decks 

This is the best fire pit for a wood deck because of its clearance, with 7 inches (17.8cm) between the bottom of the bowl and the deck surface. This will avoid damaging your wooden deck.

This wood deck fire pit has a deep bowl with room for a layer of sand to add insulation between the fire and the deck. As well, the wide bowl will hold more wood, making it heavier and less likely to tip over. 

I liked that it arrived with a spark screen to prevent embers and sparks from flying out and landing on the wooden deck. 

However, putting it together was a bit of a challenge as the holes weren’t all lined up properly. 

Material	Steel
Diameter	32.25 in (82 cm)
Height	25.75 in (65.41 cm)
Weight	23 lbs (10.43 kg)
Fuel Source	Wood
Deck Distance	7 in (17.78 cm)
Package Includes	Fire bowl, stand, spark screen, wood grate, poker

2. Sunnydaze Cast Iron Fire Pit with Built-In Log Rack

Highlights 

• Lots of space between the fire bowl and deck to dissipate heat safely 
• Broad fire bowl holds the burning wood safely
• Tallest fire pit available that keeps flames far away from the wooden deck
• Easy to move because of the handles on the fire bowl 

• Log rack underneath provides an extra heat buffer
• Sturdy cast iron construction will stay safe for years
• Stable 4 leg design is safe from tipping over and spilling burning logs

Why It’s Great for Wooden Decks 

This is the best raised fire pit for a wooden deck as it has an attractive fire bowl set a full 12 inches (30.4 cm) above the deck surface. It also has a log rack between the fire bowl and the base. This provides not just extra stability to prevent it from tipping over, but also an extra layer of insulation between the fire and the floor. I liked that it was easy to assemble.

It would be better if the package included a spark screen to prevent sparks and embers from flying out of the fire bowl, which is usual for a wood burning fire pit. However, you can buy one separately for a reasonable price.

Material	Cast iron
Diameter	30 in (76.2 cm)
Height	24 in (60.96 cm)
Weight	40.6 lbs (18.42 kg)
Fuel Source	Wood
Deck Distance	12 in (30.48 cm)
Package Includes	Fire bowl, stand

3. Sunnydaze Rope and Barrel Gas Fire Pit Table with Lava Rocks

Highlights 

• Propane flame is safe and contained 2 feet off the ground
• No sparks or embers to fly up and land on wooden deck
• Starts with ignition button so no matches are needed
• Fiberglass and concrete cast stone walls are fireproof 
• Aesthetically pleasing design works in formal or informal settings
• Propane tank is safely stored within the fire pit base

Why It’s Great for Wooden Decks 

This is the best gas fire pit for a wood deck because it is sturdy and stable with an attractive steady flame. 

Its fiberglass reinforced concrete construction makes it the safest fire pit for a wooden deck, and there’s much less heat radiating out, so there’s no danger of damaging the deck.

Between the weight of the pit itself and the propane tank behind a closed door, it is extremely stable and will not be able to tip over. I like that it has an ignition button for easy starting.

The one con is that the propane flame can have trouble staying lit in a breeze. It’s best to put it in a sheltered location. 

Material	Ceramic
Diameter	29 in (73.66 cm)
Height	24 in (60.96 cm)
Weight	74 lbs (33.57 kg)
Fuel Source	Propane
Deck Distance	24 in (60.96 cm)
Package Includes	Fire Pit, Burner, Rocks, Hose, AAA Battery, Cover

Related: 5 Best Fire Pits for Composite Decks to Avoid the Deck Burn

4. Sunnydaze Faux Stone Fire Pit Ring with Spark Screen

Highlights 

• Fiberglass reinforced concrete outer walls insulate the heat from wood surfaces
• Spark screen keeps sparks and embers from flying up
• Deep steel bowl keeps burning material safely contained inside the fire pit
• Included wood grate provides space underneath for sand
• Broad, low shape is stable and will not tip over

Why It’s Great for Wooden Decks 

This is the best elevated fire pit for a wood deck, because it is well insulated with thick outer walls made of fiberglass reinforced concrete, which keeps the heat from damaging the deck. 

This wood deck safe fire pit comes with a high-domed spark screen which will contain all flying embers and sparks to prevent damage to a wood deck. 

Also, I liked how the broad, deep fire bowl has room for plenty of wood without any worries about it falling out. 

One concern is that there is not much air circulation underneath the fire pit to keep down the temperature between the fire bowl and the floor.

Material	Concrete and steel
Diameter	35.75 in (90.8 cm)
Height	12.75 in (32.39 cm)
Weight	50.8 lbs (23.04 kg)
Fuel Source	Wood
Deck Distance	5.5 in (17.78 cm)
Package Includes	Fire Pit, Fire Bowl, Spark Screen, Wood Grate, Poker

5. Sunnydaze Outdoor Cast Stone Propane Gas Fire Pit with Lava Rocks

Highlights 

• Low, wide shape makes it very stable with no risk of tipping
• Natural looking gas flames are contained and safe
• Cement and fiberglass cast stone walls are fireproof
• No sparks or embers to fly up and out and burn the wood deck
• Propane tank comes with a long hose to store a safe distance away

Why It’s Great for Wooden Decks 

This is the best propane fire pit for a wooden deck because it is easy to set up and protects your wood deck from getting damaged. 

The thick cement and fiberglass stone walls safely contain the natural looking propane flame. 

It has low, wide design that makes it extremely stable, with no chance of it tipping over when lit. 

As with any gas flame, it doesn’t produce any sparks or embers that can land on a wood deck and burn it.

It would be better if it could be converted to run off a gas line, as the propane tank has to be located somewhere nearby and that can be awkward.

Material	ceramic
Diameter	30 in (76.2 cm)
Height	9 in (22.86 cm)
Weight	63 lbs (28.58 kg)
Fuel Source	Propane
Deck Distance	9 in (22.86 cm)
Package Includes	Fire Pit, Burner, Rocks, Hose, AAA Battery, Cover

Wood Burning vs. Gas Fire Pit 

Both wood burning and gas fire pits can be used as a wood deck fireplace, but you need to pick the right ones. 

A gas fire pit is definitely the safer option for a wooden deck fireplace. The flame is very contained, and there’s no danger of burning embers flying out and damaging your wood deck.

However, while the flames will look very pretty, they don’t radiate heat the same way that a wood fire does, and a gas fire pit will be more expensive.

You can set up a wood burning fire pit on a wooden deck, but you need to also install a heat shield, and provide minimum setbacks from wooden surfaces. 

Choosing a Wood Burning Fire Pit for Wood Deck 

Many wood burning fire pits can be used on a wooden deck, but need a minimum clearance of at least 5 inches (12.7 cm), and ideally 7 inches (17.8 cm).

Material 

Look for a wood burning fire pit that is made of sturdy materials, whether that’s cast iron, steel, or even concrete. This will ensure that your wood deck fire pit will safely contain the burning wood and keep it well away from the wood deck, preventing the risk of combustion.

Distance From Deck 

A wood burning wooden deck fire pit has to be elevated above the surface by at least 5 inches (12.7 cm), and preferably 7 inches (17.8 cm). This provides a buffer zone of air to keep the wood decking from overheating and possibly charring or bursting into flame. That’s not the fire you want on your deck!

Deep Bowl Design 

The best fire pits for wood decks have a deep metal bowl with no holes. This directs the heat up rather than down to the deck, and gives you an opportunity to add a couple of inches of sand at the bottom of the bowl as an extra layer of insulation between the fire and the deck.

Spark Screen 

Pro Tip: While the crackling of a real wood fire is part of its charm, you don’t want to have an open flame that may throw off sparks and embers that could land on the wooden surface. A spark screen is an essential accessory for a fire pit for wooden deck.

Fire Pit Pad 

You absolutely must use a pad underneath a wood burning fire pit on a wooden deck. Most municipal fire codes insist upon it, and with good reason. Without that insulation, the wood underneath could catch fire. Use a commercial metal fire pit pad, with it either fitting between the legs of the fire pit, or even better, extending out far enough that all 4 legs can sit on the surface.

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