Propane Fire Pit Insert Comparison: Which Holds Up

If you’re shopping for a propane fire pit insert or a fire table that uses one, you’ve probably already noticed the price spread is wide and the marketing language is nearly identical across brands. “Elegant.” “Durable.” “Perfect for entertaining.” Every product page says the same thing. What you actually want to know is which one holds up, which one is worth the price, and whether the cheaper option is genuinely inferior or just less expensive. I’ve spent time with both the Outland Living Series 403 44” Propane Fire Pit Table and the Napoleon St. Tropez Rectangle Patioflame Fire Table, and I have a clear preference. More on that below.

For broader context on what to pair with either of these, or how they sit within a larger patio heating plan, the Fire Pits & Patio Heaters section of this site covers the full range.

At-a-Glance

Before getting into the details, a quick side-by-side:

| | Outland Living Series 403 | Napoleon St. Tropez | |,|,|,| | Price (at time of writing) | Around $270-$300 | Around $900-$1,100 | | BTU Output | 50,000 BTU | 48,000 BTU | | Ignition | Manual push-button | Electronic auto-ignition | | Frame Material | Faux concrete composite | Rustic bronze aluminum | | Fuel Options | Propane only | Propane + natural gas conversion | | Tabletop Function | Yes, with cover plate included | Yes, with cover | | Weight | Heavy (approx. 80 lbs) | Lighter aluminum construction | | Tank Storage | External 20 lb tank | Concealed or external |

The BTU numbers are close enough to be irrelevant in practice. The real differences are build quality, ignition system, fuel flexibility, and price. Those are worth unpacking.

Why Choose the Outland Living Series 403

The Outland Living Series 403 is the right choice if you want a functional fire table without spending four figures. At around $270 to $300 on Amazon, it delivers 50,000 BTU from a straightforward propane setup that connects directly to a standard 20 lb tank via a pre-attached regulator hose. No adapter hunting, no compatibility questions. You pull it out of the box, attach the hose, and it’s running.

Heat Output and Usability

Fifty thousand BTU in a patio table format heats a roughly 15-foot radius effectively. For a deck of modest size or a tight patio grouping, that’s enough to make a difference on a cool evening. If you’ve ever sat around a small wood-burning pit and spent the whole time either backing away from the smoke or shuffling around to avoid it, that’s what a propane table like this solves. The flame is clean, directional, and adjustable. You’re not managing a fire, you’re using an appliance.

The tempered glass tabletop functions as a proper outdoor table when the burner cover is in place. That matters if you’re working with limited patio square footage. A dedicated fire feature that can’t double as surface space is a harder sell when you’re trying to seat six people for dinner.

Practical Considerations

The concrete-look composite top is heavy. Once assembled, this is not a table you’re going to reposition seasonally without planning it as a two-person job. I mention this because some buyers assemble it, realize they set it eighteen inches too far from the seating arrangement, and then it becomes a permanent fixture by default rather than by choice. Measure first.

The ongoing propane cost is real. A 20 lb tank runs roughly 8 to 10 hours at full output. If you’re running this at full blast for several hours every weekend through fall, you’re going through multiple tanks a season. Budget accordingly. If you’re connecting a natural gas line or want to avoid the tank logistics entirely, this table won’t accommodate that.

For a closer look at fire table designs in a similar format and price range, the rectangular fire pit table options we’ve covered give a sense of what else is available at this tier.

Who This Is For

This is the right table for someone who wants to add a fire feature to a patio that’s already reasonably well furnished, doesn’t want to spend close to a thousand dollars, and plans to use it regularly rather than occasionally. It’s also a reasonable starting point if you’re not sure how much you’ll actually use a fire table. The Outland Living is a low-stakes test.

Why Choose the Napoleon St. Tropez

The Napoleon St. Tropez Rectangle Patioflame Fire Table costs three to four times more than the Outland Living. That price difference needs to earn its way, and in some situations it does.

Build Quality and Materials

Napoleon is primarily known as a grill brand, which means their combustion engineering is not an afterthought. The St. Tropez has a rustic bronze aluminum frame that will not rust, will not fade noticeably after a few hard winters, and is lightweight enough to reposition without assistance. If you’ve ever dealt with powder-coated steel that started pitting after two seasons of wet springs, you’ll appreciate aluminum construction in a fire table.

The glass ember bed looks better than the lava rock or fire glass alternatives you’ll find in lower-price units. It requires occasional cleaning, but “occasional” means once or twice a season if you’re covering the table between uses. If you’re looking at a propane fire pit cover to protect your investment between uses, the St. Tropez is exactly the kind of table where that matters.

Electronic Ignition and Natural Gas Conversion

The electronic ignition is not a luxury feature on a table at this price point. It’s the expected standard. You press a button and adjust flame height from the same control. No matches, no relighting after a wind gust, no pilot light fussing. Compared to manual ignition systems, it’s simply more reliable in real-world use.

The natural gas conversion kit is included. This is the single most compelling argument for the St. Tropez if you have, or plan to run, a natural gas line to your patio. A 20 lb propane tank at current prices runs roughly $25 to $35 to refill. If you’re using a fire table seriously, a few months of that adds up against a one-time gas line installation. The conversion kit removes the propane dependency entirely. The Outland Living cannot do this.

The Price Question

Around $900 to $1,100 is a real number, and I won’t dress it up. For that money, you’re buying build quality that will outlast cheaper alternatives, an ignition system that functions reliably, and fuel flexibility that could make the table significantly cheaper to operate over a five-year horizon. If you entertain outdoors regularly and your patio furniture reflects that priority, the St. Tropez fits without looking like a compromise.

If you’re comparing fire tables as permanent outdoor living investments, it’s also worth considering what sits alongside it. A wall mounted patio heater paired with a fire table covers a deck more completely than either alone, which is worth factoring into the total budget rather than treating each purchase in isolation.

Who This Is For

Someone who is building or refining a permanent outdoor living space, has or can run a natural gas line, and wants a fire table that doesn’t need to be replaced in three years. Napoleon’s grilling credibility is not just marketing. Their combustion components are engineered to a standard that budget brands simply don’t match.

Verdict

Buy the Outland Living Series 403 if you want a functional, good-value fire table that heats a normal-sized patio and doubles as surface space. It does what it promises at a price that doesn’t require a long justification. The propane logistics are manageable, the heat output is solid, and at under $300 it’s a reasonable purchase without needing to overthink it.

Buy the Napoleon St. Tropez if you’re furnishing a patio for the long term, want natural gas capability, and are willing to pay for construction that won’t require attention after a few seasons. The price gap is real but so is the quality gap.

What I would not do is split the difference and buy a mid-range table from a brand with no history in combustion products. The Outland Living is a known quantity at the low end. Napoleon is a known quantity at the premium end. The middle of the market is where the uncertainty lives.

If you’re still deciding on the right fire feature type for your space, the full range of options in our Fire Pits & Patio Heaters section is worth a look before committing. And if you’re comparing fire table formats specifically, the fire pit with coffee table designs offer a slightly different configuration that suits some patio layouts better than a traditional rectangular table.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert an Outland Living Series 403 to natural gas?

No. The Outland Living Series 403 is designed for propane only and does not include a natural gas conversion kit, nor is one available from the manufacturer. If natural gas connectivity is a requirement, the Napoleon St. Tropez includes a conversion kit and is the appropriate choice.

How long does a 20 lb propane tank last with the Outland Living 403?

At full 50,000 BTU output, a standard 20 lb propane tank will last approximately 8 to 10 hours. Running the flame at a lower setting extends that meaningfully. Most users operating the table at moderate output report getting through a full weekend of evening use on a single tank before needing a refill.

Is the Napoleon St. Tropez worth the price over cheaper fire tables?

For permanent outdoor spaces where you’re not planning to replace the table within a few years, yes. The aluminum frame won’t rust or degrade the way powder-coated steel does after repeated wet seasons, the electronic ignition is more reliable than manual systems, and the natural gas conversion option changes the long-term economics significantly if you have access to a gas line.

Do either of these tables work as actual outdoor tables when the fire isn’t lit?

Both include cover plates that allow the fire bowl to be covered and the table surface used normally. The Outland Living’s tempered glass top is functional as a patio table. The Napoleon St. Tropez similarly converts to table use with the cover in place. If dual-function use is a priority, both handle it, though the Napoleon’s lighter frame makes it easier to reposition for different configurations.

What should I look for in a propane fire pit burner if I’m buying a replacement component rather than a full table?

For a standalone replacement, focus on BTU rating matched to your existing pan size, stainless steel construction to resist corrosion, and a brass valve rather than a plastic one for longevity. Our propane fire pit burner guide covers the specific specs worth comparing before purchasing a replacement component separately.