Fire Tables with Hidden Propane Tank Storage

Propane gives you freedom to place fire almost anywhere, and the tank is the price of that freedom. A handful of fire tables solve it by hiding the cylinder inside the piece, behind a drawer, a door or a lift-off top. The trick is knowing which models truly hold a tank, what size they take, and how the space around it must breathe. Everything below comes from the manufacturers' own documents.

Why built-in storage changes the look

A fire table is meant to read as one calm object: a slab of concrete, a clean rectangle, flame in the middle. A 20 pound tank beside it, even under a cover, breaks that line. Built-in storage keeps the composition intact, and it keeps the hose short and out of the walkway. The trade-off is that the tank size is set by the table, so the space inside decides how long you can burn between refills, and in a few models you need a smaller or low profile cylinder.

If you already have natural gas at the patio, you do not need any of this. If you want propane, the choice is between three layouts: a table that holds the tank inside, a table with a separate matching enclosure or cover nearby, or a tank hidden farther away on a hose, within the length the manual allows.

Models whose makers confirm a tank fits inside

These are the models in our collection where the manufacturer's document says the cylinder goes inside the piece. Tank sizes are exactly as the manufacturer states them.

A note on the American Fyre Designs L.P. Select tables: they are propane only, and the brand's 11 lb Low Profile LP Tank Retention Kit fits them with steel tanks that have an overfill protection device. Fiberglass composite tanks are not compatible with that kit. Modeno's Basalt Column and Lava Tube also conceal a tank according to Elementi, but the tank size printed by the maker is inconsistent, so ask us to confirm the size before you buy one.

Here are verified tank storage models to compare side by side.

Tank size and how you will live with it

A smaller cylinder is the price of a slimmer table, so think about how you use the fire. If it is lit most evenings for a couple of hours, a table that takes a 20 lb cylinder means fewer trips to the refill station. If it is lit for a glass of wine now and then, a table limited to an 11 or 15 lb tank will suit you well, and the lighter tank is easier to lift in and out.

For scale, a common 20 lb steel cylinder from Manchester Tank measures about 12.2 inches across and 18 inches tall, and its 11 lb cylinder is about 12.2 inches across and 12.4 inches tall. Measure any tank against the limits in your model's documents, not against a general rule, because an opening that looks generous can be too short by an inch.

Media on a tank storage table

A tank inside the table can limit your media choices. American Fyre Designs, for example, notes that one of its lava stone options is not for use when an L.P. cylinder is installed within the unit. Before you change the look of a tank storage table with new glass or stones, check the media table in its manual, and use only the options and amounts the manufacturer lists for that model.

When the tank lives beside the table

Many beautiful tables do not hold a tank, and that is no reason to pass on them. Several brands make matching enclosures. Prism offers matching enclosures such as the Orinda and Sausalito, American Fyre Designs makes a Tank/End Table that holds a standard 20 lb cylinder, and Elementi and Modeno sell tank covers for their tables. Placed as a side table, an enclosure can look intentional rather than practical. Browse our tank enclosures to see the styles.

The hose sets how far away the tank can sit. American Fyre Designs says a remote hose may be a maximum of 10 feet long, and Prism describes running the hose from the key valve inside the unit, through a vent underneath, to the tank. Keep the hose out of walkways and away from the flame.

Ventilation: the part you cannot skip

Any space that holds a propane tank must let air move through it, and the manufacturers are specific about how. For a separate enclosure, the American Fyre Designs manual calls for an interior at least 16.5 inches across and 22 inches high, the cylinder raised at least 2 inches off the floor, at least four openings of 10 square inches of free area each, with top vents within 1 inch of the top and floor vents within 1 inch of the floor, spaced at least 90 degrees apart, plus two drain openings. It also says to keep vent openings clear at all times.

Built-in storage has rules too. The vents and drawer openings in a tank storage table are part of its design, so never block them with cushions, planters or a tight cover while the table is in use. Elementi says not to store another propane tank within 10 feet of its table while it is operating, and American Fyre Designs says not to store a spare cylinder under or near the appliance.

Storing spare tanks and winter storage

Store spare cylinders outdoors, upright on the foot ring, and away from flame or other ignition sources. North Carolina's propane regulator puts it plainly: not indoors, not in a crawl space, not on its side or upside down. Elementi asks that cylinders be stored outdoors in a well-ventilated area out of reach of children, and its FAQ suggests detaching the tank and covering the table in cold climates. Local fire codes can restrict tanks on balconies and under overhangs, so confirm with your local authority having jurisdiction if you live in a multifamily building.

Where to start

Start with how many people you seat, then choose between a coffee height table with a tank drawer and a bar height table with a concealed tank. Our guide to sizing a fire table to your seating helps with the first question, and fire features for small patios covers compact spaces. Browse the full Models with Tank Storage collection, and if a model there is not in the table above, ask us to confirm it with the manufacturer before you rely on it. For price ranges, see shopping fire features by budget.

Common questions

Can a 20 lb propane tank fit inside a fire table?

In some models, yes. The American Fyre Designs L.P. Select tables take a horizontal 20 lb DOT type cylinder or an 11 lb low profile steel cylinder in a tank drawer, and Elementi's Montreal and Rova bar tables conceal a standard 20 lb tank. Other models are smaller: Prism's Porto 58 and Porto 68 take tanks up to 15 lbs, and the Porto 60 up to 11 lbs. Always check the limit for your exact model.

Does a tank enclosure need ventilation?

Yes. Propane enclosures need openings near the top and near the floor so air can move through the space. The American Fyre Designs manual, for example, calls for at least four openings of 10 square inches of free area each, top and floor vents, a raised cylinder and drain openings. Keep every vent clear at all times, and follow the requirements in your own model's manual.

How far away can the propane tank be from the fire table?

As far as the hose your manufacturer allows. American Fyre Designs, for example, limits a remote hose to a maximum of 10 feet. Route the hose away from walkways and the flame, keep the tank upright and outdoors, and do not store a spare cylinder under or near the appliance. Longer runs usually mean a fixed gas line installed by a licensed gas professional.

Sources

1. Prism Hardscapes, 2025 Product Guide, pages 10 to 11 (Porto tanks) and 20 to 21 (enclosures)
2. Prism Hardscapes, Portos 58 Instructions Manual, cylinder size
3. Prism Hardscapes, Lombard Series Manual, page 10 (hose routing)
4. American Fyre Designs, Fire Tables Installation and Owner's Manual L-H2-058, tank drawer models, enclosure dimensions and ventilation (pages 17 to 18), spare cylinder (page 10)
5. American Fyre Designs, Fire Bowl Manual L-H2-064, page 17 (hose length)
6. American Fyre Designs, Fire Urns Manual L-H2-065, page 20
7. American Fyre Designs, Lanterns Manual L-H2-061
8. American Fyre Designs, Ventilation and Clearances L-H2-001, page 1
9. American Fyre Designs, 11 lb Low Profile LP Tank Retention Kit
10. American Fyre Designs, 2026 Product Catalog, Magnolia and L.P. Select
11. American Fyre Designs, Tank/End Table Instructions L-H2-029
12. Elementi, Montreal OFG221 and Rova OFG224 product pages; Basalt Column OFG601
13. Elementi, Andes OFG309LP Owner's Manual, cylinder storage
14. Elementi, Service FAQ, cold climate storage
15. Slick Rock Concrete, Oasis Fire Table
16. Manchester Tank, Portable DOT Steel LP Gas Cylinders, 20 lb and 11 lb dimensions
17. North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Proper Storage of Propane Containers