In Candler — propane country out in the Hominy Valley — yes, a gas fire pit can stay outdoors all winter, though the propane setup shapes the winterizing. At 2,200 feet in Buncombe County the cold isn't the enemy; trapped, freezing water is. And in the valley's natural bowl, a clean-burning, well-maintained pit is worth choosing for the air as much as the ambiance.
Propane means tank-and-regulator care
Much of Candler runs on propane rather than a gas main, and that dictates the off-season routine. For a long winter idle, disconnect the tank, cap the line, store the cylinder upright outdoors away from the house, and keep the regulator out of standing ice. That's a few more steps than a natural-gas pit's valve-close — and the tank-to-pit connection is licensed gas work we permit with Buncombe County, not something a patio crew can legally do.
A fast-growing valley that holds its air
Candler's booming subdivisions around Enka-Candler and Sand Hill sit in a natural bowl where air settles — one reason a clean-burning, well-tuned pit is a considerate choice here. It's also why keeping the burner dry and maintained matters: a rusted, half-clogged burner burns dirty. Cover it, drain it, and it stays clean and reliable.
Break the freeze-thaw cycle
The valley swings above and below freezing all winter, so any water in the burner freezes and rusts. A fitted breathable cover and a draining pan end that. A built-in pit set up right stays outdoors year-round; tabletop units come inside. We're 15 minutes west — call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Candler
We install and service fireplaces throughout Candler and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.