Outdoor Great Room Reviews: Is GreatRoom Company Worth It?

The Outdoor GreatRoom Company sits in a spot most fire table brands can't quite reach: USA-made quality at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage. We've carried their line at Fire Pit Surplus for approximately six years, and the outdoor great room reviews we hear most often circle the same two questions: are their fire pits good enough to justify the price, and which model actually fits my space?

The honest answer: yes, for most buyers, with a few conditions worth understanding before you order.

• Founded: 2003, Burnsville, Minnesota
• Price Range: Mid-range to premium
• Best For: Homeowners, designers, and commercial buyers wanting USA-crafted fire tables with distinctive designs
• Burner Warranty: Limited lifetime (residential)

About The Outdoor GreatRoom Company

Dan Shimek founded The Outdoor GreatRoom Company in 2003, but his background in fire features goes back further than that. He was one of the co-founders of Heat-N-Glo indoor gas fireplaces in 1975. That heritage shows in the engineering detail you'll find in their Crystal Fire® Plus burner system.

The company is headquartered in Burnsville, Minnesota, and most of their premium models, including the Black Uptown and Stonefire, are manufactured domestically. Some composite-top models like the Brooks are manufactured in China, so the "Made in USA" story applies selectively, not across the entire catalog.

At Fire Pit Surplus, we carry their gas fire pit tables across three format types: rectangular, round, and linear. The lineup runs from accessible entry-level outdoor great room fire tables up through statement-piece designs built for serious entertaining spaces.

They don't make outdoor kitchens or furniture through Fire Pit Surplus. This is a focused fire feature brand, and that focus is exactly what makes them consistent.

Expert Take: Our Experience Selling Outdoor Great Room Fire Tables

After selling Outdoor Great Room for approximately six years at Fire Pit Surplus, here is what we have noticed: this brand attracts buyers who have done their research. They're not impulse purchases.

These are decisions made by people who know they want a concrete fire table with a real burner warranty, and they're comparing Outdoor Great Room against Prism Hardscapes, The Outdoor Plus, or Elementi before landing here.

What keeps customers coming back to this brand is the Crystal Fire® Plus burner. It's built from 430 stainless steel, and on the residential side it carries a limited lifetime warranty, which is a meaningful spec at this price point.

Most imported alternatives at similar prices use standard burners with 1–3 year coverage. The Supercast™ concrete tops on premium models like the Black Uptown also hold up better in year-round outdoor exposure than standard poured concrete, which can develop micro-cracking with freeze-thaw cycles.

The outdoor great room fire pit reviews we hear from customers most often land on two themes: the flame quality from the Crystal Fire® Plus burner is noticeably cleaner and more dramatic than expected, and the BTU output (55,000 on mid-range models, 80,000 on the Black Uptown) delivers real heat, not just ambiance.

One honest limitation worth naming: DSI (Direct Spark Ignition / electronic ignition) is not standard on base configurations. Buyers who want push-button ignition need to budget for that upgrade at order time. Manual ignition works fine for most residential settings, but for commercial installs or anyone who wants convenience over simplicity, that upsell is worth taking.

We typically recommend this brand to homeowners and designers who want a USA-made mid-range to premium fire table with a real design story, not just a concrete box with a burner dropped in.

For buyers whose primary concern is hitting the lowest possible entry price, Elementi is a better starting point. For buyers who want the heaviest, most custom-finished concrete aesthetics, Prism Hardscapes may be a closer match.

What Customers Say About Outdoor Great Room Fire Tables

The outdoor greatroom company reviews across our customer base consistently surface three themes:

The flame presentation from the Crystal Fire® Plus burner exceeds expectations for buyers stepping up from bowl-style fire pits, 

Shipping speed from Minnesota-based manufacturing tends to be faster than imported alternatives, and 

The build quality feels noticeably more substantial than the entry-level segment.

The one mixed theme that comes up: buyers who expect a fully outfitted setup are sometimes surprised that the included fire glass is basic clear tempered gems. Additional fire glass colors, lava rock, and wind guards are sold separately.

For buyers who budget accordingly, it's a non-issue. For buyers who assume "ready to use" means fully styled, it's worth flagging at purchase.

Outdoor Great Room Fire Pits: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Crystal Fire® Plus burner with limited lifetime warranty (residential): rare at this price tier
• Most premium models USA-manufactured in Burnsville, Minnesota
• LP/NG convertible across the full lineup: natural gas fire pit or propane fire pit table, buyer's choice
• Unique design options: the Black Uptown's multi-level linear flame stands apart from a standard rectangular pan
• Strong commercial warranty: 5 years on burners for commercial installs (restaurants, hotels), which most competitors don't offer at this price

Cons

• DSI electronic ignition is an upsell, not standard. Factor this into your budget if push-button ignition matters to you
• Premium models are heavy: the Black Uptown comes in at 445 lbs. Placement needs to be planned before delivery, not after
• Fire glass included is basic clear tempered: colored fire glass, lava rock, and wind guards are all sold separately
• Not all models are USA-made: the Brooks composite-top table is manufactured in China. Don't assume the whole lineup is domestic

Common Problems With Outdoor Great Room Fire Pits

No outdoor great room reviews page worth reading ignores what actually goes wrong. These are the documented issues we've seen with Outdoor Great Room products, and what to do about each.

1. Basic fire glass is the only included media (Well-documented) Every model ships with clear tempered fire glass, but the styled look you see in product photos (layered colors, lava rock, contrast media) requires buying those additions separately. This is standard across most fire table brands, but worth knowing upfront.

2. The Black Uptown requires serious placement planning (Well-documented) At 445 lbs, this table is not getting repositioned after delivery. Before you order, decide exactly where it's going, confirm your surface can support the weight, and arrange for at least two people on delivery day. This isn't a complaint so much as a requirement for any buyer considering this model.

3. Electronic ignition costs extra (Occasional) The base price covers manual ignition. If you want Direct Spark Ignition (the push-button electronic start), that's an add-on. For most homeowners, manual lighting is completely fine. For commercial settings or anyone who wants hands-off convenience, budget for the DSI upgrade at order time rather than regretting it later.

4. Brooks composite models need a glass wind guard (Occasional) The Brooks Rectangular uses a composite decking top rather than concrete. Under high-wind conditions, the flame can blow laterally and make contact with the composite surface. The Glass Guard wind guard accessory addresses this directly, and we recommend it as a standard add-on for the Brooks if you're in a wind-exposed location.

5. Natural gas conversion requires careful setup (Rare) All models include a conversion kit for natural gas. The conversion itself is straightforward, but NG orifice sizing and line pressure need to be correct for the burner to perform properly. If you're not comfortable with gas line work, budget for professional installation. The manual covers this step clearly, but it's not a DIY-or-ignore situation.

Which Outdoor Great Room Fire Table Is Right for You?

The lineup at Fire Pit Surplus breaks into three clear tiers based on design intent and price. Each is built around the same Crystal Fire® Plus burner system, so the performance floor is consistent across all outdoor great room fire tables. The differences are in size, weight, materials, and visual impact.

Best for Statement Patios and Entertaining Spaces

Black Uptown Linear (UPT-1242) This is the brand's most distinctive model. The multi-level Absolute Black tile surface and Midnight Mist Supercast™ concrete top create a flame presentation that reads as a design feature, not just a heat source. At 80,000 BTUs, it throws serious heat across a large seating area. The trade-off is weight and price.

Best for Mid-Sized Patios

Stonefire Round Gas Fire Pit Table At 55,000 BTUs with a compact round footprint, the Stonefire suits patios where the Uptown's scale would overwhelm the space. The powder-coated aluminum frame keeps weight manageable, and the composite top comes in Dora Brown or Grey to match most outdoor furniture palettes. This is the model we recommend most often to first-time gas fire table buyers.

Best for Casual Outdoor Spaces and Easy Maintenance

Brooks Rectangular (BRK-1224-19-K) The Brooks is the most approachable entry in the lineup. It is lighter, simpler, and easier to move than the concrete-top models. The taupe composite decking top and graphite grey powder-coated aluminum frame are low-maintenance and weather-resistant.

Manufactured in China rather than the USA, so if domestic manufacturing is a priority for you, the Stonefire is the better call at a similar price range.

How Outdoor Great Room Compares to Other Fire Table Brands

The outdoor great room fire pit reviews we see most often come from buyers cross-shopping against three brands. Here's how the comparison actually breaks down.

Feature	Outdoor Great Room	Prism Hardscapes	Elementi
Price Range	Mid-range to premium	Mid-range	Budget to mid-range
Manufacturing	Mostly USA (some China)	USA	Imported
Burner Warranty	Limited lifetime (residential)	Limited	Standard limited
Best For	Distinctive design + USA quality	Custom concrete aesthetics	Budget-conscious buyers
Commercial Warranty	5 years on burners	Verify	Not prominently offered

Choose Outdoor Great Room if you want USA-made fire tables with a genuine design story, a lifetime burner warranty, and mid-range to premium pricing that's easier to justify than full luxury brands.

Consider Prism Hardscapes if you want heavier, more customizable concrete with more geometric shape variety. Prism's concrete work is thicker and more architectural than Outdoor Great Room's composite and Supercast options.

Consider Elementi if budget is the primary driver. Elementi delivers good-looking concrete fire tables at a lower price point, with the trade-off of imported manufacturing and shorter warranty coverage.

Best Overall Alternative: Prism Hardscapes. Comparable USA-made quality at a similar price point, with a different design language.

Best Budget Alternative: Elementi. Lower entry price, wider selection of affordable concrete fire tables.

For a deeper look at how Prism and Elementi stack up against each other, our Prism Hardscapes vs Elementi comparison covers the decision in detail.

FAQ: Outdoor Great Room Fire Table Questions

Are Outdoor Great Room fire tables good quality?

Yes. Outdoor Great Room fire tables are well-built at their price point. USA-manufactured premium models use Crystal Fire® Plus stainless steel burners backed by a limited lifetime residential warranty, a spec competitors at similar prices rarely offer.

What fuel types do Outdoor Great Room fire pits use?

All models support both propane and natural gas. Every table ships LP-ready and includes a natural gas conversion kit. Fuel type is a setup decision at installation, not a purchase constraint, as long as you have the correct line or tank available on site.

How does the Outdoor Great Room Company compare to other fire table brands?

Outdoor Great Room sits between Elementi (lower price, imported construction) and The Outdoor Plus (higher price, more artistic). They offer a solid mix of USA manufacturing, distinctive design options, and a lifetime burner warranty at mid-range pricing.

Do Outdoor Great Room fire tables come with a warranty?

Yes. Residential coverage includes a limited lifetime warranty on the Crystal Fire® Plus burner, 3 years on ignition components and structural parts, and 1 year on finish. Commercial terms differ by component; contact Fire Pit Surplus before ordering for specifics.

Are Outdoor Great Room fire pits suitable for covered patios?

It depends on clearance and ventilation. Gas fire tables need adequate airflow and a minimum overhead clearance from combustibles, typically 80 inches or more. Always check local code and the model's installation manual before placing under a covered structure.

What fire media works best with Outdoor Great Room fire tables?

Clear tempered fire glass ships with every model. For a more curated result, colored fire glass layers well over the base media. Lava rock also pairs cleanly with the Crystal Fire® Plus burner and adds natural texture and color contrast to concrete-top models.

Final Verdict: Is The Outdoor GreatRoom Company Worth It?

Reading through outdoor great room reviews across our customer base, the pattern is consistent: buyers who match this brand to the right use case come away satisfied. Buyers who expected something different (a lower price, a fully dressed setup, or featherweight portability) occasionally don't.

If you're a homeowner or designer building a patio around a fire feature, and you want a USA-made gas fire table with a legitimate burner warranty and a design that doesn't look like every other rectangular concrete box on the market, The Outdoor GreatRoom Company delivers on that promise. The Black Uptown in particular is one of the more distinctive fire tables we carry.

If your budget is the primary driver, are outdoor great room fire pits the right fit? Probably not. Elementi will serve you better. If you want the heaviest custom-concrete aesthetic, Prism Hardscapes is worth a serious look.

For everyone else, Outdoor Great Room at Fire Pit Surplus and reach out to our team with questions. We've sold this brand long enough to steer you toward the right model.