Should I get a natural gas or propane fire pit?

The Valley Runs Cold in the Morning

Black Mountain's real quirk is the Swannanoa Valley inversion — cold air pools on the valley floor and mornings run 10 to 15 degrees colder than Asheville, with frost dates that push later into spring. That means more evenings and early mornings where a fire outside actually gets used, and the gas pit that lights instantly beats the one that needs a fire built every single time.

Elevation at 2,405 feet keeps summer nights cool too, so the pit stretches across three seasons rather than a few peak weeks.

Gas Where the Main Reaches, Propane in the Coves

Most of town can tap the natural-gas main, and that's the lower-cost, no-refill choice — one buried line off your meter and you're set. Montreat is the exception: heavily wooded, shaded lots up the mountain often sit past the service line, so propane on a tank is the answer there, set up with LP-specific orifices to burn clean.

Those same shaded, moisture-prone lots argue for keeping the gas work tidy and corrosion-minded — buried line at proper depth, regulator and fittings placed out of standing damp. It's the outdoor version of the care an old masonry chimney needs in that cool, wet air, and it's what keeps a pit trouble-free for years.

Buncombe Permit, Fifteen Minutes Away

We're just 15 minutes east of the showroom, so Black Mountain is close-in work for us. We pull the Buncombe County permit, pressure-test the line, and meet the inspector — licensed gas work a hardscaper or mason legally can't do. Come by 629 Emma Rd to see the pits displayed first, or call (828) 545-0525 for a free in-home assessment.