Table of Contents
Hiding a Fire Pit Gas Hose: Covers, Ducting and Tips
Gas fire pits and fire tables give you clean, instant heat at the turn of a dial. Before you start hiding anything, it helps to know which type of supply you are working with, because the two are handled very differently.
Mains or natural gas runs from a fixed, permanently plumbed connection. The pipework is installed underground, so concealment is built into the installation itself and cannot be altered afterwards.
Bottled gas, or propane gas, uses a portable cylinder connected to the fire by a flexible hose and regulator. This is the setup on most freestanding fire pits and fire tables, and it is the one this guide covers.
Left as supplied, the hose and bottle are on show, and they can make an otherwise neat patio look cluttered. The rest of this article looks at ways to keep them out of sight, from running the hose through ducting to covering the bottle itself.
Why concealment matters
For many UK gardens, the priority is a clean, modern look, and the usual thing working against it is a bright orange hose running across the patio to a gas bottle left in full view. Tucking both away gives a neater finish and keeps the fire table as the centrepiece. It also protects the hose from foot traffic, weather and accidental knocks. The aim is to hide the clutter while keeping every control and connection easy to reach.
Hiding the gas hose
The hose is the easier of the two to deal with, since it is slim and flexible.
- Rubber hose covers. Weatherproof covers lie flat against the ground and can be cut to length. The hose presses into a slit on the underside, which keeps it clear of foot traffic across paving or walkways.
- Planters and garden boxes. Large planters, timber crates or woven boxes hide a hose run well, particularly when matched to your existing furniture.
- Behind furniture. Routing the hose tight against the base of a sofa or weaving it through a rattan set keeps it out of view with no extra parts at all.
- Under raised decking. If you have a timber deck, a discreet hole next to the fire table lets you drop the hose underneath and run it out to the bottle at the edge, with rigid conduit keeping it tidy and protected along the way. The run stays hidden but remains accessible should you need to reach it.
- A duct under the patio. If you are laying a new patio or reworking an area, you can design a duct in from the start, running it under the slabs from the fire table out to a discreet spot for the bottle. This is the closest a bottled gas setup comes to the built-in look of a mains supply, and it is well worth considering where mains gas is unavailable. Do not bury the flexible rubber hose supplied with the fire table, as it can perish out of sight underground. Use a suitable MDPE gas pipe for the buried run instead, and always hire a qualified gas engineer to ensure the job is done safely.
- Rug Concealment: Running the hose under an outdoor rug is a tip you will see often, but it is one to steer clear of. If gas escapes from the hose or a connection, it can collect under the rug instead of dispersing, and with the rug usually sitting close to the fire that means a pocket of gas right next to a naked flame. A rug also leaves the hose to be trodden on and hides any wear or weeping joint from view. For the same flush, tidy finish, use a purpose-made hose cover instead, which protects the hose and lifts away so you can still check it.
Hiding the gas bottle
The bottle is bulkier than the hose, so it takes a little more thought, but you have a few options.
- Matching covers. Many fire pits have a coordinated tank cover available, finished to match the table, so it reads as part of the same set. Depending on the design, the cover either drops over the bottle or the bottle sits inside it, and some fire tables have a built-in compartment that takes the cylinder directly. Whichever it is, make sure the bottle stays ventilated and easy to reach for changing.
- Bespoke covers. If nothing off-the-shelf suits, a cover can be built to your own design in timber slats, powder-coated steel or composite. Keep airflow at the base, allow for drainage and make sure you can still reach the bottle to swap it.
- Out of sight, no cover. The bottle does not have to be covered at all. As long as the hose reaches, you can simply stand it somewhere it is not seen, such as behind a shrub, around the side of the seating area or tucked into a planted border. Keep it upright, on firm ground and away from the heat.
Keeping it safe
Style should never come before safety with LPG. A few rules apply to whatever method you choose.
- Always store the bottle upright and secure.
- Never store the bottle below ground or in a sunken spot, as LPG is heavier than air and will collect in low or enclosed spaces rather than disperse.
- Keep the compartment ventilated, with openings near the base so any gas can escape rather than collect.
- Leave the valve and regulator visible and within easy reach.
- Keep the bottle away from the heat of the fire.
- Inspect the hose regularly for cracks, wear or kinks, and route it away from busy paths.
- Always use a gas engineer when installing a duct below ground.
Any covering or enclosure you use must still allow quick access to the controls in an emergency. And as noted at the start, anything involving fixed or permanent gas pipework is a job for a Gas Safe registered engineer rather than something to tackle yourself.
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FAQs
Can I keep the gas bottle inside a sealed cover or box?
No, it should never be sealed in airtight. LPG is heavier than air, so any small escape needs to drain away at ground level rather than build up. A cover should be open at the base, and any box or housing needs ventilation slots low down. Keep the valve reachable so you can shut it off quickly if you need to.
Can I bury the gas hose under the patio?
Not the flexible rubber hose supplied with the fire table, as it will perish underground, where you cannot see it. For a buried run, fit a duct under the slabs and use a suitable MDPE gas pipe, with the connections made up by a competent gas engineer. That gives the built-in look without the risk.
How far from the fire table can the gas bottle sit?
The recommended distance can be as high as 5m, but the further you extend the hose, the pressure can drop, reducing the flame and heat output. However, do not use a rubber hose beyond the manufacturer's recommended length. If you need to go over 5m, then an MDPE pipe is recommended and should be installed by a qualified gas engineer.
