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It lights in seconds and is stylish too. Garden Stakes Decorative
Maybe it’s a primal instinct developed over millennia, or possibly it’s poor blood circulation that leaves me constantly cold, but one of my favorite activities is to sit around a fire.
I’m not picky. I’ll huddle up next to a hearth with warm cocoa, toast s’mores over a campfire, or even rotate myself under my dad’s propane patio heater like I’m a rotisserie chicken. But my favorite source of heat is the crown jewel of my backyard: my fire table.
If you love the coziness and communal quality of a fire pit, but aren’t a fan of smoke and sparks, a fire table will be right up your alley. Typically powered by gas, it lights up quickly and cleanly, and because it’s, you know, a table, you also get the added benefit of a solid surface for serving food and drinks. At least that’s what I’ve found since trying out a sample from outdoor furniture retailer Terra over the past several months.
Terra has a collection of over 60 fire tables, from rough and rustic to sleek and modern. I selected the contempo rectangular table, a gas-powered pit that measures about 15.5-inches tall, 52-inches wide, and is made from fiber glass-reinforced concrete.
Despite its surface resembling reclaimed French oak, the incredibly durable material can withstand rain and snow and doesn’t absorb heat from the fire. So I don’t have to worry about wet weather damaging my piece or burning my hands or legs as I move around my space. It’s also very heavy, weighing 350 pounds. I’m pretty confident even gale-force winds wouldn’t move it.
One of my favorite features of the fire table is that I can have it up and running in a flash. (I’m not very patient.) Compared to a fire pit, which may take up to 30 minutes to reach a satisfying size, the fire table ignites within 30 seconds. Also unlike the fire pit I’ve owned for the past few years, my Terra fire table is truly smokeless. That means no more coughing and burning eyes or smelling like a camp when I head in for the night.
Food & Wine / Katie Macdonald
The table’s flame output is controlled by an easy-to-operate knob at one end of the table. To ignite, turn and press the knob, simultaneously lighting a match. And just like that, let there be fire. Once the table is lit, you can adjust the flames to your desired comfort; for me, preferably above rotisserie, but just below pyromaniac.
My table is powered by a standard-sized tank of propane gas, which we keep hidden in one of Terra’s clever cover-table hybrids. And even though my husband and I have used the pit multiple times in a week, the tank has lasted for about a month and a half.
In fact, there were times in the past year that it felt like we used the fire table every night. No matter if my husband and I are hosting a cookout or simply winding down on a Tuesday night, we gravitated to its warm, mesmerizing flames.
I can’t say enough good things about Terra’s fire table thanks to its fast, easy setup and stylish design. And while the one downside is the price, right now, you can grab your own for less during the retailer’s first big sale of the year. Thanks to a site-wide Presidents Day event, my table is now $600 off — plus you can snag discounts on the brand’s popular dining sets and lounge pieces up to 40% off.
Metal Animal February is a great time to sit around a fire table, and Terra’s epic sale means it also happens to be a great time to buy one. Invest in your outdoor space now, and you’ll thank yourself for seasons to come.