Here is how to build a gas fire pit in plain terms: pick a spot with the clearances your burner manual requires, build a level, non-combustible enclosure sized around a drop-in pan, add vents on opposing sides, then set in a certified burner kit and have a licensed gas pro run and leak test the fuel line. The pan and burner do the burning. Your job is the box around them.
A DIY gas fire pit is very doable with block, stone, or a ready-to-finish shell, but the gas side is not a weekend guess. The numbers below come from manufacturer installation manuals, and your local code and your installer have the final word.
How to build a gas fire pit: the plan
- Choose the location and confirm clearances.
- Pick your fuel and fire pit kit first, so you know the pan size.
- Prepare a stable, level base and build non-combustible walls.
- Add vents, drainage, and a ledge so the pan carries the weight.
- Have a licensed pro run the gas line, add an outside shutoff, and leak test.
- Add media to the depth the manual allows, then test again.
Already own a wood pit? Read our guide to converting a wood fire pit to gas instead.
Location and clearances
The HPC Fire Match Lit installation manual lists 36 inches from the sides of the fire pit to structures or combustibles and 84 inches of overhead clearance for units up to 200,000 BTU. The Warming Trends instruction manual uses the same figures. That rules out spots under low pergolas, umbrellas, and tree limbs.
Both manuals require a gas shutoff outside the fire feature and say these appliances are for outdoor use only. Pick a spot with good drainage and easy access to the valve. Then call your city or county, because setbacks and permit rules vary.
Sizing the enclosure to the drop in fire pit pan
Choose the pan before you lay a single block. The pan sets the inside opening and the burner sets the heat. Our fire pit burner size guide covers BTU and pit width, so here are just the build rules:
- Recess the burner. HPC says at least 2.25 inches below the top of the enclosure, noting 4 to 6 inches is not uncommon. Warming Trends calls for 4 to 6 inches to protect the flame from wind.
- Support the pan, not the valve. Both manuals say the weight must rest on the pan or plate, not the control or valve box. A ledge, blocks, or metal L-brackets work.
- Add center support on big pans. Warming Trends recommends it for round or square pans over 30 inches and rectangular pans over 40 inches.
- Keep it serviceable. Do not build the capstone over the pan lip unless you add an access door. HPC also asks for an access panel for the valve.
Materials: block, stone, or a ready-to-finish shell
Both manuals require non-combustible materials for the enclosure, gas supply, and power.
| Option | What it is | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Hardscape block | Stacked or glued block with a capstone | Plan vent gaps and a pan ledge before you stack |
| Block with veneer | Mortared block core with stone or stucco | Finish must stay non-combustible over time |
| Ready-to-finish kit | Factory frame and shell, burner installed | Vents may need to be cut in on site |
| Granite or marble tops | Decorative caps and surrounds | Both manuals warn dense stone can crack near flame |
Whatever you choose, build on a stable, level surface. HPC lists that as a warranty requirement.
Venting and drainage for a DIY gas fire pit
This is the step people skip, and it matters most. HPC requires at least one vent on two opposing sides, each with at least 18 square inches of free area (3 by 6 inches or larger), in the mid to lower enclosure. Warming Trends states the same minimum. Vents let heat and leftover gas escape, and both manuals warn poor venting can cause overheating or explosion. Some enclosures need more.
Do not fill the enclosure with gravel, crushed rock, or concrete. HPC requires at least 2 inches of open space under the valve box for ventilation and drainage, and notes a low vent can double as a drain.
Propane needs extra care. Do not put a propane tank inside an enclosure unless the product is built and certified for it. The HPC Match Lit manual says those kits are not for small LP tanks and must use fixed piping, and the Warming Trends manual excludes vessels with a self-contained propane supply.
Choosing a fire pit kit, burner kit, or gas fire pit insert
A fire pit kit usually bundles pan, burner, valve, and flex line. The HPC match lit kits below list CSA certification to ANSI Z21.97 / CSA 2.41. Match lit uses a key valve and a long lighter with no power needed, while push button and electronic ignition add a spark source. Our fire pit buying guide compares the wider options.
Fire pit burner kits and pans we carry
All are from HPC Fire. Prices are at the time of writing and can change.
- HPC Fire 30 inch Match Lit Fire Pit Kit with Penta Burner, Natural Gas: 304 stainless pan, key valve, flex line, listed up to 65,000 BTU, about $908.
- HPC Fire 24 inch Rectangle Match Lit Fire Pit Kit, Natural Gas: same match lit setup for a rectangular opening, listed at $698.
- HPC Fire Round Flat Fire Pit Insert 30 inch, Push Button Ignition: 24 inch penta burner, natural gas only, up to 150,000 BTU, about $1,203.
- HPC Linear Trough Torpedo Fire Pit Burner Kit, 36 inch, Propane: lipped 304 stainless pan for narrow enclosures, 100,000 to 250,000 BTU, about $481.
- HPC Round Bowl Drop-In Fire Pit Pan, 31 inch: pan only, 2.38 inch depth, 1 3/8 inch lip, weep holes, about $750.
- HPC H-Burner Torpedo Hardscape Block Kit, 30 by 12 inch, Propane: match lit, up to 65,000 BTU, lava rock included, blocks sold separately, about $1,540.
- HPC Fire 60 inch Round Ready to Finish Kit for LP Tanks: galvanized steel frame with board shell, 25 inch pan, 18 inch penta burner, hides the propane tank, about $5,401.
Fuel line, leak testing, and media
HPC recommends a professional licensed in gas piping and makes the installer responsible for sizing the fuel line for the product’s maximum BTU, following the National Fuel Gas Code (ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54) or International Fuel Gas Code plus local codes. Electronic ignition needs a licensed electrician for power, per Warming Trends.
HPC’s testing order: leak test the main supply, connect, test every connection, light and test again, add media, and test once more. For propane, check for back pressure with media in place, possibly before the burner goes into the enclosure.
HPC says to cover the burner with only 1/8 to 1/4 inch of fire glass and keep lava rock under 2 inches above the ring. Warming Trends says media must be 1/2 inch or larger and no more than 1/2 inch above the jets. Never use river rock or gravel. Compare options in lava rock vs fire glass.
Frequently asked questions
Is a DIY gas fire pit safe to build myself?
You can build the enclosure. The gas line, shutoff, and leak testing belong to a licensed pro, and local code and your inspector have the final word.
How big should vents be on a gas fire pit insert enclosure?
The HPC and Warming Trends manuals call for vents on two opposing sides, each at least 18 square inches, in the mid to lower enclosure. Follow your product’s manual, since some setups need more.
How deep should the drop in fire pit pan sit?
HPC says at least 2.25 inches below the top, with 4 to 6 inches common. Warming Trends recommends 4 to 6 inches.
Can I hide a propane tank inside my fire pit kit enclosure?
Only if the product is designed and certified for it, like a ready-to-finish LP tank kit. Many burner kits require fixed piping.
Need help matching a pan, burner, and fuel to your build? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship freight free ($200 flat below that), and you can review our return and refund policy before you order.
