A fire pit cover keeps rain, leaves and insects out of the burner area, and the right one depends on three things: the type of cover, its size, and how you measure. This guide covers all three, using real HPC Fire listings with the sizes and prices we list today. For the bigger picture on choosing a fire pit, start with our fire pit buying guide.
Do you need a fire pit cover?
For a gas fire pit that lives outdoors, yes, in most cases. Retailers that sell gas fire features say a fitted cover keeps leaves, debris, water and dirt out of the burner system. Woodland Direct makes that point in its care guide, and Firepits Direct adds that electronic ignition parts should not sit exposed to rain, snow or standing moisture.
The reasons are practical:
- Water collects in a burner pan or settles into lava rock and glass, and it can reach ignition parts.
- Debris such as leaves and pollen can clog burner ports.
- Critters nest in sheltered spots. HPC Fire describes its covers as protection from rain, debris and “nestling insects.”
Some makers go further. Montana Fire Pits says a cover is still required to keep the Warming Trends lifetime warranty on some ignition systems. Check your own manual and warranty before you decide to skip one.
Weather covers vs hard burner covers
There are two families, and they solve different problems.
Vinyl weather covers
A weather cover is a fitted bag that slides over the whole fire pit or fire table. The HPC Fire vinyl cover family is black vinyl, with an elastic band at the bottom on round covers and a pull-string cord on square and rectangle covers. HPC lists a 3 year limited warranty. Because it covers everything, it also protects the base, the table top and the finish, not just the burner.
Hard burner covers and lids
A hard cover sits on or above the burn area. Types we list include:
- Flat round aluminum: HPC says the short round version is made for fire pits using fire glass.
- Tall bell-shaped aluminum or copper: made for fire pits using lava rock, river stones or logs.
- Stainless steel rectangle and linear trough: made for rectangle and linear burners.
- Steel lids: such as the Ohioflame flat lid.
Hard covers are tidy and quick to place, but they only protect the burn area. If your fire pit is a table with an exposed top, a hard cover alone leaves the rest of the finish in the weather. The media you use decides which hard cover can sit over it; our guide to lava rock vs fire glass explains how the two compare in height.
Vinyl vs metal fire pit cover: which fits your setup?
Choose vinyl if you want full-length protection over a fire table or a pit with a wind guard, and you are fine removing a fabric-style cover each time. Choose metal if you want a clean look and a rigid lid on the burner. You can also pair a hard burner cover with a vinyl cover if you want both. If you run a fire pit wind guard, measure the total height with the guard in place before ordering, and call to confirm fit.
How to measure for a fire pit cover
- Round: measure the widest diameter of the whole pit, or of the burner pan for a hard cover.
- Square or rectangle: measure length and width at the widest point, including any trim.
- Height: for a full-length weather cover, measure from the ground to the top of the highest part. See our note on fire pit table height if you are unsure.
- Burner size: for a hard cover, match the cover to the burner or pan, not the outer table. Our fire pit burner size guide shows how to find it.
- Allowance: the maker’s stated fit range beats any rule of thumb.
Makers publish their own allowances. HPC says its 24 inch short round hard cover fits pits “with a 23 inch diameter or less,” the 36 inch fits 35 inches or less, and the 48 inch fits 43 inches or less. For its stainless rectangle covers, HPC pairs each cover with a burner length: the 28 x 16 cover is for burners up to 24 inches, and the 58 x 20 cover is for burners up to 48 inches.
A caution on vinyl: the listing says “Please See Specs Sheet for Dimensions and Fire Pit Compatibility” and does not state a fit range. On rectangle sizes, it is also not clear whether the second number is width or height. Call us at 866-777-2590 before ordering a rectangle vinyl cover.
Safety: cooling, gas off and ventilation
Turn the gas off at the control and the supply, and let the fire pit cool completely before covering it. Woodland Direct and Firepits Direct both say to wait until it has cooled. One retailer, Montana Fire Pits, says some hard covers can go on right after use, so follow your own manual for the exact guidance on your unit.
Covers also trap moisture. If a cover sits on a wet pit, condensation can form underneath. Dry the pan and media first, and lift the cover on dry days to air things out. Never light a pit with a cover on it. If you smell gas, shut off the supply and call your gas provider or the maker.
Fire pit cover options and prices
| Cover | Size | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPC vinyl cover | 35 in round | Vinyl, full cover | $105.45 |
| HPC vinyl cover | 64 in round | Vinyl, full cover | $200.45 |
| HPC vinyl cover | 60 x 60 in | Vinyl, full cover | $223.25 |
| HPC vinyl cover | 94 x 30 in | Vinyl, rectangle | $260.30 |
| Warming Trends aluminum round | 20 in (to 62 in) | Aluminum, with handles | $254.00 (20 in) |
| HPC stainless rectangle | 28 x 16 in | Stainless, hard | $375.25 |
| HPC linear trough | 28 x 9.5 in | Stainless, hard | $298.30 |
| HPC short round | 24 in (fits to 23 in) | Aluminum, for glass | $462.65 |
| HPC tall round | 32 in (fits to 31 in) | Aluminum, for rock or logs | $1,129.55 |
| Ohioflame flat lid | 24, 30 or 36 in | Steel lid | $224.94 |
The Warming Trends aluminum round covers run 20 to 62 inches, and the square set runs the same range. The listing does not state a fit range, so call to confirm before ordering one.
Other sizes of each listing are available at other prices, and the Ohioflame lid lists one price across three sizes, so confirm the price for your size. Free freight shipping applies to orders of $999 or more, and a $200 flat rate applies below that. Returns are covered by our return and refund policy.
Frequently asked questions
What size fire pit cover do I need?
For a full weather cover, measure the widest diameter or length and width, plus height for a fire table, and compare to the listed cover size. For a hard cover, match the burner or pan, and use the maker’s fit range.
Is a vinyl or metal fire pit cover better?
Vinyl covers the whole fire pit and costs less in the sizes we list. Metal covers sit on the burner and look cleaner, but they only protect the burn area.
Do I need a fire pit burner cover if I have a vinyl cover?
Not always. A vinyl cover protects the whole unit. A hard burner cover adds protection for the burner itself and is easier to remove for a quick evening fire.
Can I cover a fire pit right after using it?
No. Turn off the gas and let the pit cool fully first. Check your manual for the exact wait time on your model.
Not sure which cover fits? Call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST, with your fire pit model and measurements and we will help you confirm the fit.
