A copper fire pit is a gas fire feature built around a handcrafted copper bowl, and it is one of the few outdoor pieces that looks different every season. The copper starts out warm and bright, darkens with weather and heat, and eventually heads toward the familiar green patina unless you maintain it. Here is what you are paying for, how the finish ages, and how to care for and install one.
For fire pit versus fire table basics, see our fire pit buying guide.
What a copper fire pit actually is
The copper fire bowls we carry are made by HPC Fire (Hearth Products Controls, based in Ohio). Per our listings, each bowl is handcrafted in the USA from a copper sheet and finished with an oil-rubbed coating. Inside the copper shell sit a 304 stainless steel pan and burner, with a raised burner hub and weep holes that keep rainwater out of the gas line. Lava rock or fire glass covers the burner (sold separately).
HPC’s dimension drawings label every copper bowl as CSA certified for outdoor use only, for commercial and residential settings. They are gas appliances, not wood burners.
Hammered copper fire pit or smooth copper?
This is mostly a style decision, but it narrows your shape options. In HPC’s current lineup:
- Hammered copper comes in round (31 inch Tempe, 32 inch Mesa), square (40 inch Sedona) and rectangular (47 x 25 inch Phoenix). Each sheet is hand hammered into a dimpled texture before the oil-rubbed finish goes on.
- Smooth copper is the 36 inch square Sierra. Same oil-rubbed finish, clean flat faces, and a more modern look.
Neither finish changes the burner or fuel options. HPC does not publish a copper gauge in its drawings or our listings, so call us if thickness matters.
Copper fire pit patina: how the color changes
Bare copper exposed to weather changes color in a predictable order. The Copper Development Association describes the sequence as moving from the original salmon pink through russet and chocolate browns, and ultimately to a blue-green or gray-green patina.
How fast that happens depends mostly on moisture. The same CDA page notes that on architectural copper the green patina typically takes five to seven years in industrial or seacoast air and 10 to 14 years in rural areas, and that very dry climates may never develop it at all. Treat those roof timelines as a rough guide.
The oil-rubbed finish on HPC bowls gives them an aged, darker look from day one, and the listings describe it as developing a more distressed appearance over time. If you want to keep the bright copper tones instead, the CDA notes that clear protective coatings can hold the original color, but they degrade and eventually need to be stripped and reapplied.
How to clean a copper fire pit
Your first decision is whether you want patina or shine. HPC’s FAQ is direct about it in its copper bowl care notes (written for its fire and water bowls): unless a patina look is preferred, HPC recommends its copper cleaning kit (model CCK), which uses sandpaper, steel wool and beeswax.
For routine care, whichever look you want:
- Keep the weep holes clear. HPC says to make sure they are not blocked and to check them periodically.
- Do not scratch the copper with metal tools. When clearing debris from a copper bowl’s water scupper, HPC recommends a thin piece of plastic and warns against any metal that can scratch the copper surface.
- Clean the flame sensor on electronic models. HPC lists periodic brushing of the flame sensor as preventive maintenance.
- Use only rated media. HPC confirms fire glass works in place of lava rock as long as it is made for use with fire. Our lava rock vs fire glass guide covers the tradeoffs.
Covers: worth it on copper
HPC recommends covering its fire pits even though the burner and pan are stainless steel. Its FAQ explains that heat from the fire changes the material and speeds corrosion, salt air makes it worse, and a cover keeps water out of the gas valve. HPC also states that a valve that fills with water is not covered under warranty. See our fire pit cover guide for sizing and materials.
Ignition and fuel options
Every copper bowl we list comes in natural gas or propane, and propane versions are hard-line models. HPC’s drawings state these bowls are for fixed piping systems only, not for small tanks, so plan on a plumbed natural gas line or a large propane supply run by a pro. Our propane vs natural gas guide walks through that choice.
Ignition varies by model: match lit on all of them, electronic on/off (24 VAC or 120 VAC) on the Tempe, Mesa, Sierra and Sedona, and push button on the Phoenix. Electronic ignition adds roughly $1,600 to $2,500 depending on the bowl. See match lit vs electronic ignition.
Copper fire bowl prices and specs
Prices below are natural gas versions, listed at the time of writing. Propane versions are priced the same. Listed BTU figures come from our listings; HPC’s dimension drawings show higher maximums for several models (65,000 BTU for the standard round bowls, for example), so confirm the rating for your fuel and ignition with us before a gas line is sized.
| Model | Finish and shape | Size | Listed BTU | Match lit | Upgraded ignition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tempe | Hammered, round | 31 in | Up to 50,000 | $4,201.85 | $6,069.55 electronic |
| Tempe Torpedo | Hammered, round | 31 in | Up to 50,000 | $5,042.60 | $6,676.60 electronic |
| Mesa | Hammered, round, tapered | 32 in | Up to 50,000 | $5,469.15 | $7,923.95 electronic |
| Sierra | Smooth, square | 36 in | Up to 50,000 | $7,954.35 | $10,104.20 electronic |
| Sedona | Hammered, square | 40 in | 65,000 to 100,000 | $8,040.80 | $10,241.00 electronic |
| Phoenix H-Burner | Hammered, rectangle | 47 x 25 in | 65,000 to 100,000 | $8,863.50 | $9,436.35 push button |
| Phoenix Trough | Hammered, rectangle | 47 x 25 in | 65,000 to 75,000 | $9,102.90 | $9,675.75 push button |
Torpedo versions use nozzle burner ports for taller, bonfire-style flames. The Sierra Smooth Copper Torpedo is listed at $9,544.65 match lit.
Why copper costs more
For context, HPC’s own 35 inch aluminum spun torpedo fire bowl is listed at $2,460.50 match lit, and the steel Ohioflame Lunar fire bowl starts at $899.99. The extra money buys the copper and the handwork described above. The Lunar is carbon steel with an iron oxide patina that darkens over time, per Ohioflame.
Placement, venting and installation
- Venting: HPC’s drawings require the bowl to sit at least 3/4 inch above the mounting surface with a hole of at least 6 inches in the bottom. Spacers are provided.
- Clearances: HPC’s match lit insert manual lists, for fire pits up to 65,000 BTU, 36 inches from structures or combustibles on the sides (12 inches for noncombustible) and 84 inches overhead. Follow the manual shipped with your unit.
- Decks: HPC says its bowls cannot be installed on or near flammable material without proper barriers, and the manual requires its deck insulation kit for wood or composite decks.
- Installer: HPC recommends a locally licensed gas installer and NFI certified technicians for service. Modifying the product voids certification and warranty.
Every copper bowl in the table qualifies for free freight shipping (orders of $999 or more). Questions? Call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday 9AM to 6PM PST. Review our return and refund policy before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Will my copper fire bowl turn green?
It can, given years of moisture. Copper moves from pink through browns to blue-green, faster in wet or coastal air and slowly or not at all in dry climates.
How do I clean a copper fire pit without ruining the finish?
Keep debris out of the media and weep holes, and avoid metal tools that can scratch the copper. To restore shine, HPC recommends its CCK copper cleaning kit (sandpaper, steel wool and beeswax), unless you prefer the patina.
Can I burn wood in a copper fire bowl?
Not in the HPC bowls we sell. They are CSA certified gas appliances, and modifying them voids certification and warranty.
Can I run a copper fire pit on a 20 lb propane tank?
No. HPC’s drawings state these bowls are for fixed piping systems only and not for small tanks. Propane versions are hard-line models.
Is a hammered copper fire pit more durable than smooth?
HPC does not publish a durability difference, so choose on look and shape.
