Outland Firebowl 870 Review: The Fire Pit That Works When Wood Fires Don't
Outland Living Firebowl 870 Premium 19-Inch
4.6★ · 2,500+ reviews
CSA Certified · 58,000 BTU · Push-button auto-ignition · 6-ft hose · Cover included
Check Amazon for current pricingThe Outland Living Firebowl 870 is what happens when you take the most popular propane fire bowl on Amazon and add a push-button ignition. Same 58,000 BTU output, same CSA certification that gets you through most campfire ban checkpoints, same 19-inch bowl that fits standard cooking grates — but now you light it with a button instead of a lighter. Over 2,500 buyers have rated it 4.6 stars. Here is what they're actually saying and what you need to know before you buy.
How the 870 Works
The Firebowl 870 is a propane-powered bowl fire pit. You connect it to a standard 20 lb propane tank (the same cylinder used for a gas grill) via the included 6-foot hose. Turn the control knob to release gas, press the piezo igniter button, and the lava rocks light within 1–2 seconds. Adjust the knob to control flame height and heat output from a low ambient glow up to the full 58,000 BTU output.
The 19-inch steel bowl holds a bed of lava rocks that distribute the propane flame across a wide surface area, replicating the look of a wood campfire more convincingly than ceramic logs or decorative glass media. The flame sits 8–12 inches above the rocks at moderate output. At full output, it reaches 14–16 inches — a commanding fire that reads well across a campsite.
Shutdown is instant. Turn the knob off, the flame dies immediately. No embers, no ash, no cool-down wait before you pack it in. This is the practical advantage of propane that wood fire people don't fully appreciate until they've used it.
Will This Work During a Fire Ban?
This is the question that drives most purchases of the Firebowl 870. The short answer: yes, at most campgrounds, during most fire restrictions.
The Outland 870 carries CSA certification — it meets the safety standards established by the Canadian Standards Association for outdoor gas appliances (ANSI Z21.97). This is the certification that campgrounds and land management agencies (USFS, BLM, state parks) look for when evaluating whether a propane appliance is permitted under a fire restriction.
How to confirm before your trip: Call the campground directly and ask: "Are CSA-certified propane fire pits permitted under the current fire restriction?" Bring the product manual or a printed copy of the CSA certification page — some campground hosts will want to see it. The Outland 870's certification paperwork is included in the box.
Important caveat: During the most severe burn bans (some jurisdictions categorize these as Stage 3 or "extreme" restrictions), all open flames including propane may be prohibited. No propane fire pit will be permitted at that level. Check current restriction levels at the USFS or BLM website for your destination.
The 1 lb Canister Trap (Read Before You Pack)
The Outland 870 connects to a standard 20 lb propane tank via the 6-foot hose. It does not connect directly to 1 lb Coleman-style camping canisters. This surprises a meaningful percentage of buyers who assume they can run it off the same canisters they use for their backpacking stove.
- 1 lb canister at full output (58,000 BTU): approximately 1 hour of burn time. Not practical.
- 20 lb tank at full output: 4–5 hours. At moderate settings: 6–8 hours.
- Adapter hoses exist that let you run a fire pit from 1 lb canisters, but you'll burn through them quickly. They're a backup solution, not a primary one.
Plan to bring a 20 lb tank (or use the bundled 10 lb tank in the 893 kit). If you need to rent or buy a tank at the campground, call ahead — many campground stores stock 20 lb cylinders.
Who Should Buy the Outland 870
The 870 is the right choice if you want the best balance of convenience and performance in the Outland lineup without buying the full 893 kit. Auto-ignition matters more than people admit — at 10 PM in a dark campsite after a long day of hiking, fumbling with a long lighter is genuinely annoying. The 870 eliminates that.
It's built for car campers and backyard patio users equally. The 6-foot hose gives enough distance to keep the tank tucked to the side without crowding the fire circle. The cover protects the lava rocks and bowl when stored, which matters if you leave it on the patio between uses.
If you want everything in one order — tank, grate, bag — look at the 893. If you want to save money and don't mind using a lighter, look at the 823. But if you want the core product with auto-ignition at a sensible price, the 870 is the answer.
What 2,500+ Buyers Say
Recurring praise:
- Auto-ignition works reliably even in cool temperatures
- Heat output is genuine — people feel it at 5–6 feet
- Easy assembly, about 15 minutes out of the box
- Campground hosts accepted CSA certification without issue
- Cover quality is decent; holds up through seasons
- Lava rocks don't need replacing after normal use
Recurring complaints:
- Igniter occasionally needs multiple presses in cold weather
- 6-ft hose feels short on some patio layouts
- The included cover is fabric, not waterproof hard shell
- Legs are not adjustable — uneven ground requires shimming
- Lava rocks shift during transport; resetting them is simple
Based on aggregate buyer feedback; individual experiences vary.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- +Push-button auto-ignition is the key upgrade over the 823
- +58,000 BTU — real heat output, not decorative
- +CSA certified — accepted at most campgrounds during fire bans
- +No smoke, no ash, instant on/off
- +4.6 stars across 2,500+ verified buyers
- +Weather cover included
Cons
- −Requires a 20 lb propane tank — 1 lb canisters don't work directly
- −6-ft hose may feel short for some setups
- −No cooking grate included (add-on required)
- −Outdoor use only — not safe indoors or covered porches
Verdict
The Outland Firebowl 870 is the best single-product purchase in the Outland lineup for most buyers. Push-button ignition, 58,000 BTU, CSA-certified, 4.6 stars across 2,500 reviews — it earns that rating. The mandatory 20 lb tank isn't a flaw, it's just the physics of running a 58,000 BTU appliance. Plan for it and the 870 will not disappoint.
Check Amazon for current pricingFrequently Asked Questions
Is the Outland Firebowl 870 legal during campfire bans?
The 870 is CSA certified, which satisfies the requirement at most campgrounds that permit propane appliances during fire restrictions. Always confirm with the specific campground before arrival. Some severe restrictions prohibit all open flames.
Can I connect the Outland 870 to a 1 lb propane canister?
Not directly — it requires a 20 lb tank via the included 6-foot hose. Adapter hoses for 1 lb canisters exist, but at 58,000 BTU you'll burn through them in about an hour. A 20 lb tank provides 4–5 hours at full output.
How long does a 20 lb propane tank last with the Outland 870?
4–5 hours at full output (58,000 BTU). 6–8 hours at moderate settings. Most campfire sessions run 2–3 hours, so a full tank covers multiple evenings.
What is the difference between the Outland 870 and the Outland 823?
Auto-ignition. The 870 lights with a push button. The 823 requires a long lighter or match. Both produce 58,000 BTU with the same CSA certification. The 823 is usually priced lower; the 870 costs a bit more for the ignition convenience.
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