What outdoor fire feature options do renters have that don't require permanent installation?
Renters are best served by portable, freestanding units that need nothing plumbed in — a self-contained propane fire pit or fire table running off a hidden 20 lb cylinder, a portable propane patio heater, or an electric fireplace on a covered patio. Nothing buried, no gas line, no permit, and it moves when you do.
Portable propane: the freestanding fire
The classic renter's answer is a freestanding propane fire pit or fire table with the tank tucked in the base. It's a complete appliance — burner, pan, and regulator — that connects to a standard 20 lb cylinder, the same kind that feeds a grill. No gas line to run, no trench, no inspection, and you carry it to the next place.
You give up a little on aesthetics versus a built-in stone feature, and you'll swap or refill the cylinder, but for a rental that's a fair trade. Napoleon's freestanding gas fire pits are a good example of the category we'd point you toward.
Heat without a flame
If your lease or building bans open flame — common on balconies and some porches — an electric fireplace is the move. A Dimplex electric unit plugs into a standard outlet, throws a convincing flame effect, and adds light supplemental warmth (roughly 5,000 BTU) with zero combustion, so there's nothing a landlord's insurer objects to.
Be honest with yourself about what it is: ambiance and a modest heat bump, not real outdoor heating and definitely not backup heat in an outage. For actual warmth on an open patio, a portable propane patio heater covers more ground.
Where we come in
Steady Flame is a permanent-install and gas-piping company, so we don't run gas lines into a structure you don't own — that's owner territory. But our Asheville showroom displays the portable and electric options so you can see the flame and the build quality in person before you decide, and we're happy to point you to the right style for a rental.
When you do own the place, call (828) 545-0525 and we'll talk about a permanent, plumbed feature.
Related questions
- Can I put a fire pit on an apartment or condo balcony?
- Should I get a built-in fire pit or a portable one?
- Is a gas fire pit a good idea for a vacation rental or Airbnb property where guests will use it?
- Is a fire pit or a patio heater better for keeping guests warm?
- How long will a 20 lb propane tank run a fire pit?
- How much does it cost to install a gas fire pit?
Still deciding? Talk to a real installer.
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