Real Flame vs Fire Pit Surplus: Reviews, Pricing & Best Online Fire Pit Store

When you're searching for the right online fire pit store, two very different options come up: Real Flame and Fire Pit Surplus. Both sell fire features and ship nationwide, but that's about where the similarities end.

Real Flame sells its own line of electric fireplaces and outdoor fire tables directly to consumers. They've been in the business for over 25 years and pioneered the gel fuel fireplace category. Their outdoor products come through Jensen Castings, a sister company that handcrafts GFRC fire pits made in the USA.

Fire Pit Surplus takes a different approach. Instead of manufacturing one brand, they curate 30+ trusted brands, from Elementi and Prism Hardscapes to The Outdoor Plus and Drolet wood stoves, so you can compare options across every style, material, and budget in one place.

And the demand keeps growing. According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), 83% of outdoor hearth product owners also have BBQs or outdoor kitchens, showing that fire pits are now central to how patios are designed.

In this Real Flame vs Fire Pit Surplus comparison, we'll break down product selection, pricing, delivery, reviews, and support to help you decide which store fits your needs.

Quick Takeaways: Real Flame vs Fire Pit Surplus

Meet the Retailers

Real Flame

Real Flame is a family-owned company headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin, with over 25 years in the heating industry. They started by pioneering gel fuel fireplaces, then developed their proprietary VividFlame technology, an LED flame effect system that powers their electric fireplace line.

Their outdoor fire features are produced through Jensen Co., a sister company established in 2015 in Richland Center, WI. Jensen handcrafts concrete fire tables and fire bowls in the USA with brass burner systems delivering 60,000–120,000 BTUs. Real Flame also sells matching outdoor patio furniture with Sunbrella fabrics, coordinated with their fire table collections.

Contact: (800) 654-1704

Mon–Fri 8 AM–4 PM CT

Fire Pit Surplus

Fire Pit Surplus is a Wyoming-based curated retailer serving homeowners, interior designers, and commercial buyers. Instead of manufacturing our own products, they have partnered with 30+ trusted U.S.-based brands to offer a focused collection of fire pits, fire tables, fireplaces, wood stoves, and patio heaters.

Many of our fire pit models ship with bundled accessories, covers, lava rock, and burner kits, so you're not buying extras just to get started. It's the kind of complete, ready-to-use approach that simplifies the buying process, especially for first-time fire pit buyers.

Contact:

(888) 671-4611

9 AM–9 PM PST, 7 days/week

Phone, email, live chat

Brands & Product Lineup: Real Flame vs Fire Pit Surplus

Real Flame: Single-Brand Manufacturer

• Indoor electric fireplaces: VividFlame fireboxes, Grand Series mantels, TV stand consoles, wall-mount, and recessed inserts
• Outdoor fire tables (Jensen Co.): Aegean series (powder-coated steel, 50,000 BTUs), Geneva and Estes series (GFRC, 65,000–100,000 BTUs), Calvin and Coden (hidden propane tank)
• Outdoor fire bowls: Eldora, Carson, Redding (GFRC, brass burner, 60,000–120,000 BTUs)
• Wood burning fire pits: Lafayette and select steel models
• Outdoor furniture: Sunbrella chairs, loveseats, sofas, side tables, coordinated with fire table collections

Fire Pit Surplus: Curated Brands

• Modern gas fire pits: Elementi, Elementi Plus, Modeno, Pyromania Fire
• Artisan and premium designs: Prism Hardscapes, The Outdoor Plus, Pottery Works, Stonelum, Slick Rock Concrete, Fire Pit Art
• Patio heaters: Bromic Heating, Infratech, Schwank, Sunglo
• Wood stoves: Drolet, Osburn, Buck Stove, Englander, Century Heating
• Fireplaces: Napoleon, Empire Comfort Systems, Dimplex

If you know you specifically want Real Flame or Jensen Co. products, buy direct. If you want to compare concrete fire tables from multiple trusted manufacturers, Fire Pit Surplus gives you that range in one place.

Pricing, Value & What's Included

Real Flame Pricing

• Steel fire tables (Aegean series): $1,260–$2,932 entry-level outdoor, powder-coated steel, 50,000 BTUs
• Premium fire tables (Jensen Co.): $2,859–$4,599+ handcrafted USA, brass burner systems, 60,000–100,000 BTUs
• Electric fireplaces: $500–$3,700+ VividFlame LED system, mantel and wall-mount styles
• Accessories: Propane tank covers, burner lids, and fire glass are mostly sold separately
• Financing: No prominently listed financing on realflame.com

Fire Pit Surplus Pricing

• Entry-level fire pits: $600–$1,200 Modeno and smaller Elementi models
• Mid-range: $1,500–$3,000 Prism Hardscapes, EcoSmart Fire, Elementi Plus
• High-end: $3,500–$6,000+ The Outdoor Plus, Bobe Water and Fire
• Bundled value: Many models include covers, lava rock, and burner kits at no extra cost
• Financing: Bread Pay (interest-free installments) + PayPal Pay Later

Shipping, Delivery & Lead Times

Real Flame: Free shipping on most items within the contiguous U.S. Small items ship via FedEx or UPS, while larger fire tables go LTL freight. Freight deliveries are scheduled by the carrier. Damage must be reported within 48 hours. No backyard placement, curbside or threshold delivery only.

Fire Pit Surplus: Free shipping on orders over $199 to the lower 48 states. In-stock items are processed in 1–3 business days and typically arrive within 3–10 days. Orders placed before 1 PM PST ship the same day. Our optional Backyard Delivery upgrade places your fire pit exactly where you want it, not just left on the curb.

Damage Protection & Claims

Fire Pit Surplus includes freight insurance on every order. If something arrives damaged, our team handles the claim on your behalf; you're not stuck calling a shipping company.

Real Flame requires damage to be noted at delivery and reported within 48 hours. If you sign without noting damage, resolution may depend on filing a claim with the carrier directly.

Customer Support: Real Flame vs Fire Pit Surplus

Support availability matters more than most people realize. When you're confirming dimensions or fuel type for a real flame fire pit purchase, often on evenings or weekends, having 7-day support with extended hours means you're not waiting until Monday for answers.

Real Flame's weekday-only window (8 AM–4 PM CT) can be limiting, especially for West Coast buyers who lose two hours off the end of the day.

Reviews, Returns & Warranty

Reviews

Fire Pit Surplus reviews hold a 4.4-star rating from 900+ verified reviews. Customers consistently highlight fast shipping, clear communication, and knowledgeable reps who help match the right fire feature to their space. Phrases like "arrived ahead of schedule" and "team was incredibly helpful" appear frequently.

"We love our new fire pit table! The team at Fire Pit Surplus helped us choose the perfect size and finish for our patio. Delivery was fast and everything was well-packaged." — Fire Pit Surplus verified buyer

Real flame reviews are spread across multiple platforms rather than centralized. On Wayfair and AllModern, popular models like the Aegean fire table series average 4.5–4.6 stars, with buyers praising the design aesthetics and the included NG propane conversion kit.

On Amazon, ratings are more mixed (3.9–4.2 stars), with some complaints about finish durability, cracking on lower-end steel models, and underwhelming heat output.

"Really sturdy fire pit. Nice clean flame. Even throws a bit of heat. Will flame out if a strong gust blows in so keep it semi secluded." — Amazon buyer on the Real Flame Baltic fire table

That said, some Amazon reviews mention finish peeling and cracking after weather exposure, particularly on powder-coated steel models. A few Fire Pit Surplus buyers note that freight deliveries for larger items occasionally require scheduling patience.

Return Policy

Fire Pit Surplus: 30-day return window. Customer pays return shipping. No restocking fee on most items (some brand-specific exceptions noted on product pages).

Real Flame: 90-day return window: longer, but with a 15% restocking fee plus customer-paid return shipping. If a returned item is found "not defective," a 25% handling fee may apply. Assembled or modified products are not eligible for return.

Real Flame's longer window sounds better on paper, but the 15–25% fees can make returns significantly more expensive. On a $2,500 fire table, that's $375–$625 in fees before you even pay return freight.

Warranty

Fire Pit Surplus: Manufacturer warranties are clearly listed on every product page. Team handles warranty claims on your behalf; you contact them, not the brand.

Real Flame: Warranty varies by product (check the owner's manual). Jensen Co. fire tables carry a 5-year body, 2-year component, and limited lifetime brass burner warranty. Electric fireplaces: standard 1-year.

Payment, Financing & Secure Checkout

For fire features in the $1,500–$4,000+ range, financing makes a real difference. Fire Pit Surplus offers Bread Pay with interest-free installment plans, making higher-end pieces more accessible. Real Flame, though, offers its products on Amazon, and Wayfair may offer platform-specific payment plans.

Trade Programs & Bulk Orders

Fire Pit Surplus: Dedicated B2B Trade Program with tiered pricing discounts, a dedicated sales rep, priority order processing, unlimited swatches, and fast approvals (48 hours). They specialize in commercial fire pits for hotels, resorts, restaurants, and multifamily developments, including large-format pieces from The Outdoor Plus and Bobe Water and Fire.

Real Flame: Sells through retail distribution channels (Home Depot, Amazon, Wayfair, Lowe's) but doesn't prominently advertise a direct trade program or tiered pricing. Designers and contractors can purchase through big-box partners, but without the dedicated rep support, trade pricing, or commercial product specialization.

FAQ: Real Flame vs Fire Pit Surplus

What is the most realistic fake fireplace?

Real Flame’s VividFlame LED system looks impressive for its price range. For even more realism, Dimplex Opti-Myst uses water vapor to create a 3D flame effect many homeowners find incredibly lifelike.

How does Real Flame work?

Real Flame electric models use LED lighting and a reflective panel system to mimic flickering flames, paired with a 4,780 BTU fan-forced heater for supplemental warmth. Their gas models operate on propane or natural gas with push-button ignition and adjustable flame height.

How much does it cost to add a real fireplace?

A traditional wood or gas fireplace with venting typically costs $3,000–$15,000+, depending on installation. Electric plug-in units range from $500–$3,700 with no construction required. Outdoor gas fire pits run $600–$6,000+ and usually connect to a propane tank for simple setup.

Are Real Flame electric fireplaces good?

Yes. Real Flame has over 25 years in the electric fireplace market and consistently strong customer reviews. Their units offer attractive flame effects and reliable performance, but the 4,780 BTU output is best for supplemental heat rather than warming large or open areas.

Does Real Flame sell through other retailers?

Yes. Real Flame products are widely available through Amazon, Home Depot, Wayfair, Lowe’s, Best Buy, and other retailers. Pricing, promotions, and return policies can vary depending on the seller, so it’s smart to compare before purchasing.

Which store is better for outdoor fire pits?

For outdoor fire pits, Fire Pit Surplus offers 30+ brands, more design options, and a wider range of materials like concrete, steel, and stone. Real Flame’s outdoor lineup is more limited to select series, so variety and customization are stronger with Fire Pit Surplus.

Final Verdict

Real Flame deserves credit as a manufacturer with genuine heritage, 25+ years in the heating industry, a real flame fireplace line that's earned loyal customers, and Jensen Co. producing handcrafted GFRC fire pits made in the USA. If you know you specifically want Real Flame or Jensen Co. products, buying direct makes sense.

But for most homeowners, designers, and trade buyers comparing options, Fire Pit Surplus provides a fundamentally better shopping experience. With brands, bundled accessories that save you from buying extras, 7-day expert support, competitive pricing from dozens of top manufacturers, flexible Bread Pay financing, and a dedicated B2B trade program, you get more selection, more guidance, and more value in one place.

The choice is clear: unless you've already decided on Real Flame's specific product line, Fire Pit Surplus provides the most direct path to finding the right fire pit for your outdoor space.