I decided clean, odorless, on-demand fire that turns off when I’m ready for it to be off was enough to tip the scales. So I started looking more and more at Outland Firebowls. We’re not RVers, and really not much into camping, so I just needed something that would work on our patio. I initially settled on the Mega Fire Pit, but then I noticed the Helios burner on the Cypress. Glad I did. It’s slightly smaller diameter, a little bit lower profile, and just a little more wheel-without-a-tire looking, but holy cow what a flame. It’s nearly as nice to look at as a real log fire. And it gets HOT. Anyone who complains about this not radiating enough heat is crazy. Medium heat is almost too hot to sit close to. High will melt your face like a Dimebag Daryl guitar solo. It does take a few minutes to heat the lava rocks to glowing red, but they definitely get there.
The long hose makes it easy to stash the propane tank out of the way. I thought about getting the tank cover, but I probably won’t now that I have it set up with the tank hidden behind an Adirondack chair. Your set up will almost certainly vary, but I view the tank cover as completely unnecessary for mine.
Set up is a breeze: take everything out of the box, put the rocks in the bowl per the instructions (medium size first, large on top), attach the hose to your fuel source, and you’re ready to go. I haven’t run it long enough to burn through a whole tank of fuel, but the fact that I was able to run it for two hours and then come into the house without worrying about what to do with burning logs pays for itself. And when you price propane against firewood (assuming you don’t just have a bunch lying around) the economics just work.
This is very sturdy and well made. I anticipate many years of enjoyment as long as I keep it out of the weather. But with the included cover, it seems like it’s probably fine to withstand the occasional summer storm.
I’m very pleased with my purchase. I can’t imagine any reason you wouldn’t be too. Unless you really just want a wood fire.
[Pictures show the flame at various settings, from high to medium, to almost off. The video is just because slo-mo flames are cool.]