O.W. Lee Fire Pits: Choosing the Size, Height and Tile
A fire pit is where the evening ends up, so it is worth choosing the one that fits the way you sit. O.W. Lee builds its fire pits to order in the USA, in welded iron or aluminum, with tops in porcelain tile, Dekton, wood-look EverLee or solid metal. For the general basics, see our fire table buying guide. Here are the four decisions that matter with OW Lee, or see every OW Lee fire pit.
The OW Lee fire pit lines
- Capri: a fully welded iron base with a porcelain tile top, in rounds from 30" to 54" and rectangles up to 28" x 72". From $3,006.
- Elba: the all-aluminum version of the same idea, also with a porcelain tile top, and the only line offered at dining and counter height. From $3,222.
- Phoenix (iron) and Volante (aluminum): Dekton tops in Soke or Trillium, in a 42" round or 31" x 56". From $4,165 and $4,417.
- Oceanside, new for 2027: a rustproof aluminum base, an EverLee poly lumber top that looks like wood planks, and a glass wind guard included. 44" round or 33" x 50". From $3,609.
- Sculptural designs: the 36" Basso bowl (from $2,584), the 42" square Haven, the low Forma and Moda rectangles, and the Anello and Nova cylinders.
- Compass: a 54" round tile-top table with a Breeo X24 smokeless wood-burning fire pit set into the center. From $4,582.
1. Chat height or occasional height
- Chat height is 24" on most OW Lee fire pits (25" on the 30" rounds, 24.5" on the Basso). It lines up with lounge chairs and swivel rockers and is the classic fire pit height.
- Occasional height is 19" (18" on the smaller Moda), about coffee table height. It suits deep, low sofas and sectionals, where a taller pit would block the view across the flame.
- Dining and counter height: the Elba also comes as a 54" round at 29" and at 38", and as a 42" x 72" at 38", so a fire feature can double as the table for dining or counter chairs.
2. Round, square or rectangular
Capri and Elba share the same sizes and burners, so this table covers both:
| Size | Burner | Heights |
|---|---|---|
| 30" round | 16" round | Chat |
| 36" round | 20" round | Chat |
| 42" round | 20" round | Chat or occasional |
| 54" round | 24" round | Chat or occasional (Elba also dining and counter, with a 20" burner) |
| 30" x 50" | 10" x 30" | Chat or occasional |
| 36" x 58" | 10" x 30" | Chat or occasional |
| 28" x 72" | 10" x 50" | Chat or occasional |
| 42" x 72" | 10" x 30" | Counter (Elba only) |
- Round pits suit a circle of swivel rockers, so everyone faces the flame. A 42" or 54" round typically sits comfortably inside four lounge chairs.
- Square: the 42" Haven, in chat or occasional height, gives four chairs a side each.
- Rectangular pits work in front of a sofa or sectional and leave room for drinks along the long sides. The 28" x 72" suits a long sofa or sectional.
On heat: where OW Lee publishes a rating, the 20" round and 10" x 30" burners are rated about 60,000 BTU (Phoenix, Nova, Moda and the 30" x 50" Capri), and the 10" x 50" burner on the long Moda 65,000 BTU. A fire pit is mostly about atmosphere; for real warmth on a cold night, pair it with a patio heater (see how many heaters you need).
3. Fuel and ignition
Every OW Lee gas fire pit ships propane-ready and converts to natural gas with OW Lee's conversion kit; choose the fuel on the product page. On the 42" Elba, for example, the natural gas version is $34 more. If you are going with natural gas, have a licensed gas fitter run the line before the fire pit arrives. On propane, OW Lee offers a 20 lb horizontal tank or an 11 lb tank.
Ignition is either match light or electronic push-button. On the 42" Elba, push-button adds about $200.
If you would rather burn real wood, the Compass is the one to look at: OW Lee's 54" round, 24" tall surround with a Breeo X24 smokeless fire pit in Corten or stainless steel. Breeo's double-wall X Airflow design helps reduce smoke, and no gas line or tank is needed.
4. Finish and top
Every frame comes in 13 OW Lee finishes. The top is where the lines really differ:
- Porcelain tile (Capri, Elba, Anello): 14 tiles in three tiers. Standard: Urban Pulse, Urban Shift, Summit Grey, Canyon Taupe, Ironwood, Nordic Ash and Whiskey Barrel. Upgraded: Cabaletta and Cavatina. Premium: Buckskin, Silver Oak, Palazzo White, Palazzo Black and Cielo. On the 42" Elba, Upgraded adds about $124 and Premium about $261. See them all in OW Lee tabletops explained.
- Dekton (Phoenix, Volante, Nova, Moda): an ultra-compact surface that resists heat, scratches and weather, in Soke or Trillium.
- EverLee (Oceanside): poly lumber planks in Brazilian Walnut, Coastal Grey or Birchwood that never need sealing or staining.
- Solid metal (Basso, Haven, Forma): an all-metal top in a clean, sculptural shape.
Finally, choose a fire media: crushed, gem or mirrored fire glass, lava granules or tumbled lava stone. A glass burner guard and a flat burner cover are available for most models (the Oceanside includes its glass guard). Not sure whether to go iron or aluminum? Read OW Lee aluminum vs wrought iron; the short version is that the aluminum Elba 42" ships at about 115 lb against about 198 lb for the iron Capri.
Need it sooner? Elba Quick Ship
Most OW Lee fire pits are made to order. Two Elba models also come as Quick Ship, in 5 to 10 business days: the 42" round chat height and the 30" x 50" chat height, each in two ready combinations: a Copper Creek frame with a Canyon Taupe top and Mirrored Espresso glass, or a Graphite frame with a Summit Grey top and Mirrored Smoke glass. Any other finish, tile or size follows the standard made-to-order lead time shown on the product page.
Favorite OW Lee fire pits
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between chat and occasional height?
Do OW Lee fire pits run on natural gas?
What size fire pit for four chairs?
Which OW Lee fire pits ship fastest?
How much heat does an OW Lee fire pit put out?
Every order ships free, and white-glove delivery is available; Full Service delivery is free on orders of $7,500 or more. Questions about sizing or gas? Call us at (949) 782-7338 or send us a note.
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