In Fairview — one of our core propane communities, on wooded rural lots in Buncombe County east of Asheville — yes, a gas fire pit stays outdoors all winter, but because it runs on propane, winterizing centers on the tank. Cold at 2,375 feet is harmless. The steps that matter are disconnecting the cylinder for a long idle and keeping water out of the burner.
Propane pits: tank off for the long idle
Fairview is propane country — the pits out on the wooded lots around Cane Creek and Garren Creek run off cylinders, not a gas main. When you're closing the pit down for the winter, disconnect the tank, cap the line, store the cylinder upright outdoors away from the house, and keep the regulator clear of ice and standing water. That's the piece propane owners most often overlook, and it's licensed gas work we permit with Buncombe County — the landscaper who set your stone legally can't.
Wooded and damp underfoot
Those same heavily wooded lots that make wood heat so popular in Fairview also keep patios shaded and slow to dry, so moisture lingers where a pit sits. Water collecting in the burner, freezing overnight, and thawing by afternoon is what rusts it — blame the water, never the cold. A fitted breathable cover and a draining burner pan keep the wet from ever getting a foothold.
Then leave it be
With the tank stored and the pit covered and draining, a built-in Fairview pit stays put through winter and lights right up in spring. Portable tabletop units are the exception — those belong under cover. We're 15 minutes east of the showroom; call (828) 545-0525 with questions.
Fireplace help in Fairview
We install and service fireplaces throughout Fairview and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes east from our Asheville-area showroom.