hoosier, you are definitely on the right forum, these ladies are a wealth of information and some of the nicest folks you'll ever get to know. Their good advise is always spot on and they don't seem to mind telling of their experience. I sometimes am embarrassed to ask a silly question, but they always jump in and answer me! They have gotten me thru multiple projects and I'm sure there will be more questions from me in the future! They advised me to put a layer of thinset on a manaquin, that I am still working on by the way, and my tess is adhering just fine. I don't have a lot left to finish on it but my time to work on it just doesn't seem to be there lately! Good luck on your fire pit cover, I know it will be amazing!

If the lowest level is enclosed by glass - actually ceramic material used in wood stoves - then heat output would be comparable to a free standing stove. If, on the other hand, that lowest level is metal screening, then you're back to net heat loss such as you would have with any open fireplace. The photograph above shows a very attractive design, but in these days of digital "enhancement", it's hard to know if such a design actually exists in anything but virtual form. Does anyone manufacture this? Is it UL listed? What are the installation requirements? What sort of base is necessary for the stone work? All of these are important questions.

Here's what I've found: I know this has little to do with the fact that you're asking about portable or fixed, but I was concerned about wood-burning or propane unit: 1 - The ones with the glass rocks that use propane (whether portable or not) aren't as warm as a roaring fire in a wood-burning unit. 2 - Glass rocks are prettier than the wood, but there's something so cool about a roaring fire as opposed to a pretty one 3 - Guys love throwing wood and sticks into an open flame. 4 - Flame from wood-burning keeps the bugs away, and it makes for a cozy atmosphere at night. It even spreads a good amount of warmth - Fun times with drinks, and marshmallows (Need to buy extra long sticks on Amazon- then toss in fire afterward). You cannot roast marshmallows on the unit with glass rocks without ruining the rocks. 5 - You will come into your house smelling like fire when you sit at a wood-burning unit. 6 - If you use something portable, you can move it to adjust the party size layout. What did you choose?

We have both a fire pit and a stand alone gas heater. I put a lazy Susan on the fire part for food to make it a table in years past and this it looks like this..that’s a large black round tray with handles so I can bring food and drinks out. Also have a big table on the far side for when the fire is on.