Elementi vs Real Flame: How Do These Fire Pit and Fireplace Brands Compare?

Both Elementi and Real Flame build gas fire tables worth putting at the center of a patio, but they solve different problems. Elementi makes design-led cast-concrete tables; Real Flame makes versatile steel tables with concealed tanks and a wider size range. Want a sculptural concrete centerpiece? Elementi takes it. Want fuel flexibility and more sizes? Real Flame wins. Here is how the two stack up across design, heat, fuel, and price, using the in-stock Elementi and Real Flame lineups.

TL;DR: Elementi and Real Flame are both premium gas fire-table brands. Elementi wins on design with sculptural cast-concrete tables (up to 60,000 BTUs, from $1,879); Real Flame wins on versatility with dual-fuel steel tables, hidden tanks, and sizes up to 75 inches (50,000 BTUs, $2,221 to $2,650). Pick Elementi for looks, Real Flame for flexibility.

Key Takeaways

• Elementi specializes in cast-concrete fire tables with design variety; Real Flame builds steel dual-fuel tables in more sizes.
• Both run 45,000 to 60,000 BTUs on propane or natural gas; the gap is material and format, not raw heat.
• Real Flame tables conceal the propane tank and convert to natural gas; Elementi leads on sculptural, modern concrete looks.
• Budget $1,879-plus for Elementi fire tables and $2,221 to $2,650 for Real Flame’s.

Design and Materials: Elementi Wins

Elementi takes design, because cast concrete simply offers more visual range than steel. The brand’s high-performance concrete and glass-fiber reinforced concrete bodies come in modern, natural, and textured finishes, from the clean-lined Hampton to the larger Andes. Concrete also resists rust outright, while powder-coated steel depends on its finish staying intact to fend off corrosion.

Real Flame answers with a sleek, contemporary steel look that suits modern patios and a powder-coat that holds up well outdoors. It is genuinely attractive, but it is one consistent style rather than Elementi’s broader palette. For a sculptural centerpiece with material that ages gracefully, Elementi is the pick.

Heat Output: Elementi Edges Ahead

Elementi narrowly wins on heat. Its core tables run 45,000 BTUs, and the Elementi Andes Fire Table pushes 60,000 BTUs for $2,899, enough to warm a wide seating circle. Real Flame’s fire tables top out around 50,000 BTUs, as on the Real Flame Aegean 50-inch.

In practice this is close. A 50,000 BTU table warms a standard patio set comfortably, and both brands let you dial the flame. If you are heating a large or wind-exposed space, Elementi’s 60,000 BTU option gives you more headroom.

Fuel and Tank Concealment: Real Flame Wins

Real Flame takes fuel handling, because concealing the propane tank is part of the design. The Real Flame Ventura and Aegean tables hide the 20-pound cylinder inside or under the table and ship with a natural gas conversion kit, so you start on propane and switch to a gas line later. Elementi tables also convert to natural gas, but several route the tank to a beside-table position rather than fully concealing it.

Both brands light at the push of a button and carry an auto safety shut-off, so day-to-day use is equally simple. The edge goes to Real Flame for the cleaner tank integration.

Size and Price: Real Flame’s Range

Real Flame offers the wider size range, stretching to a 75-inch rectangle for big gatherings, while Elementi’s tables concentrate in the 32-to-48-inch range. On price, the two land close: Elementi’s fire tables run $1,879 to $3,899 and Real Flame’s sit $2,221 to $2,650, so neither is clearly cheaper across the board.

The takeaway: if you need a long table for a crowd, Real Flame has the format. If you want a compact-to-mid sculptural table, Elementi covers it for less at the entry point.

Which Brand Is Right for You?

Choose Elementi if you want a design-forward concrete centerpiece, value rust-proof material, or want the most heat from a single table. The Elementi Hampton at $1,879 is the easiest entry point.

Choose Real Flame if you want fuel flexibility with a hidden tank, plan to add a natural gas line later, or need a larger table for a crowd. Both brands carry CSA or CE certification, so either is a safe, well-built choice.

FAQ

Is Elementi or Real Flame the better fire pit brand?

It depends on your priority. Elementi wins on design and material, with sculptural cast-concrete tables and up to 60,000 BTUs of heat. Real Flame wins on versatility, with dual-fuel steel tables, concealed propane tanks, and sizes up to 75 inches. For a centerpiece, choose Elementi; for flexibility, choose Real Flame.

Which is more affordable, Elementi or Real Flame?

They overlap closely. Elementi fire tables start lower, at $1,879, while Real Flame’s run $2,221 to $2,650. Elementi has the cheaper entry point, but at the mid-range the two are comparable, so price alone rarely decides it.

What materials do Elementi and Real Flame fire pits use?

Elementi builds with high-performance cast concrete and glass-fiber reinforced concrete, which resist rust and weather without a coating. Real Flame uses powder-coated steel, which is sleek and durable as long as the finish stays intact. Concrete is the more forgiving outdoor material over many seasons.

Are Elementi and Real Flame fire pits good quality?

Yes, both earn strong marks. Elementi is praised for design and durable concrete construction; Real Flame for realistic flames and versatile, well-finished steel tables. Both carry CSA or CE safety certification, and both are built to anchor a patio for years.

The Bottom Line

Elementi and Real Flame are both safe bets, and the right one comes down to what you value. Elementi wins on design, material, and peak heat, making it the pick for a sculptural concrete centerpiece. Real Flame wins on fuel flexibility, tank concealment, and size range, making it the better fit if you want a hidden tank, a future gas line, or a large table for a crowd. Match the brand to your priority and either delivers a fire table built to last.