Gas Fireplace vs Wood Burning Fireplace Outdoor | Which Is Better for Oklahoma?

If you’re planning a custom outdoor fireplace in Broken Arrow, Tulsa, or anywhere in northeastern Oklahoma, one of the first decisions is gas versus wood burning. Both are excellent choices — the right answer depends on how you plan to use the fireplace, how much convenience matters to you, and what kind of outdoor experience you’re going for. Here’s the honest comparison from someone who’s built both types across the Tulsa metro.

Wood-Burning Outdoor Fireplaces

The Case For Wood Burning

• Authentic experience — crackling fire, real wood smell, s’mores capability, the real thing
• Radiant heat — wood fire produces substantial heat output, making outdoor spaces usable on cool Oklahoma evenings from October through March
• No gas line required — no need to run a gas line to the fireplace location, which simplifies installation and reduces cost
• Oklahoma firewood is affordable — hardwood (oak, hickory, pecan) is widely available and inexpensive in northeastern Oklahoma
• No monthly operating cost — beyond firewood, there are no ongoing fuel bills

The Downside of Wood Burning

• Smoke direction — when wind shifts, smoke direction changes. A correctly built smoke chamber minimizes this, but it’s never zero with wood fire
• Ash cleanup — you’ll clean the firebox after each use season
• Firewood storage — you need a place to store and season wood near the fireplace
• No instant ignition — building a fire takes 10–15 minutes
• Fire restrictions — some Broken Arrow and Tulsa days have open burn restrictions during dry conditions

Gas Outdoor Fireplaces

The Case For Gas

• Push-button convenience — fire on in seconds, fire off in seconds
• No smoke issues — gas burns clean, no smoke direction problems
• No ash or cleanup — gas logs and burners are maintenance-free
• No firewood storage needed
• Consistent flame appearance — gas logs provide a controlled, predictable flame
• Remote and thermostat control available — some gas log sets include remote controls and thermostat operation

The Downside of Gas

• Gas line installation cost — running a gas line from your home to the fireplace location adds cost
• Monthly operating cost — natural gas costs money to burn, though outdoor fireplace use is typically modest
• Less authentic feel — gas logs don’t crackle, don’t produce real wood smell, and don’t have the same feel as a real wood fire
• No s’mores or wood cooking — gas flames aren’t suitable for cooking food directly over the fire

The Best of Both: Build for Wood, Add Gas Later

VistaScapes frequently recommends building the masonry structure for wood burning and having the gas line rough-in done at the same time. You get the full wood-burning experience first, and if you decide after a few seasons that you want the convenience of gas, you simply add a gas log insert to the existing firebox. Many Broken Arrow homeowners make this transition after year 2 or 3.

What We Recommend in Oklahoma

If you entertain regularly and convenience is the top priority — go gas. If you want the authentic outdoor fire experience and don’t mind the 10-minute startup time — go wood. If you’re unsure — build the structure for wood and have the gas line roughed in. You can always add the gas insert later.

Ready to build your outdoor fireplace in Broken Arrow or Tulsa? Call VistaScapes & Design at 918-779-1317 for a free estimate.