What size gas line does an outdoor fire pit or outdoor fireplace need?
It depends on the burner's BTU rating and how far the line runs, but outdoor fire features often demand more than indoor units — a gas fire pit can draw 60,000 to 90,000-plus BTU. That usually means a 3/4-inch line, sometimes larger over a long buried run to a patio. And it must be outdoor-rated, buried pipe.
Outdoor burners are hungry
A big yellow-flame fire pit throws a lot of gas — our Napoleon Uptown pit runs 60,000 BTU LP, and many outdoor fireplaces and pits reach 90,000 or more. That's often double a modest indoor fireplace, so the pipe has to be sized up accordingly. Combine that appetite with the distance from the meter or tank out to a back patio, and 3/4-inch is a common starting point, with larger pipe on long runs.
Distance and burial change everything
Outdoor lines are usually the longest runs on the property, snaking from the house or tank across the yard, and length steadily cuts capacity — so the outdoor line frequently needs to be a size bigger than the same burner would need sitting next to the meter. It also has to be the right material for burial: outdoor-rated, buried at proper depth, protected, and pressure-tested. This isn't interior black-iron practice.
Propane matters outdoors here
Many WNC patios run on propane, and outdoor fire features are a favorite because our evenings stay cool most of the year — a fire pit earns its keep. We size the buried LP or natural-gas line to the burner and the run, coordinate the tank with your supplier, pull the county permit, and pressure-test before first light. Running buried outdoor gas line is licensed work — DIY isn't an option in NC, and it's ours. Call (828) 545-0525.
Related questions
- How many BTUs can a 3/4-inch gas line supply?
- Can I run a gas fire pit off a 20-lb propane tank?
- Does the length of the gas line run change what pipe size I need?
- How many BTUs is a typical gas fire pit burner?
- What size gas line does a gas fireplace need?
- How many BTUs per square foot do I need to heat a room with a fireplace?
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