Fire Pit Cover vs Tarp: Which One Should You Buy?

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The quick answer

Buy a fitted fire pit cover sized to your pit. It fits snugly, vents condensation and ties down against wind, three things a flat tarp cannot do well. A tarp works as a short-term backup, draped over the pit and tied down, but it is not a season-long answer. The three covers below are ranked by our scores, highest first, on size, material, vents, straps and warranty.

When a tarp still makes sense

A tarp is not useless; it is just a backup. If a storm is coming tonight and the fitted cover is still damp from the last rain, a tarp thrown over the pit and tied down keeps the worst of the weather off until morning. Tarps also work for moving day, when the pit rides in a truck bed and the fitted cover is packed somewhere. For anything longer than a few days, though, a tarp’s loose fit works against it: wind gets underneath, water pools in the folds, and the damp air it traps sits against the metal and the finish.

What to look for in a fitted cover

Size it to the pit

Measure the diameter across the widest point of the pit and the height from the ground to the top, then match those to the cover’s stated fit. The three covers here state fits of up to 42 in D x 24 in H, up to 44 in diameter, and up to 36 in D x 20 in H, with the smallest also listing the pit sizes it suits: 33, 34, 35 and 36 in in diameter and 17, 18, 19 and 20 in in height. A cover that is close to the pit’s size stays put better than one with a lot of slack.

Fabric and coatings

All three listings state 600D polyester-family fabric: 600D tough polyester, 600D polyester canvas and 600D Oxford fabric. Each maker states a water resistant or waterproof coating or backing and claims UV resistance; the Porch Shield and Kipiea listings also state sealed or double stitched seams. The Porch Shield listing gives the blend as 70% polyester and 30% PVC. The 600D fabric rating and sealed seams are the stated features that separate a real cover from a thin dust sheet.

Vents and straps

Vents matter because a sealed cover traps the moisture rising off a cooling pit. The Porch Shield lists large air vents to avoid internal condensation, and the ULTCOVER lists structured air vents on two sides to keep ventilation moving. For wind, look for the tie-downs the listings state: an adjustable elastic hem cord and bottom buckle straps on the Porch Shield, plastic clips and heavy duty elastic draw cords on the ULTCOVER, and 4 windproof buckles plus 2 adjustable drawstrings on the Kipiea. The Kipiea also includes a storage bag for the off season.

Fire pit cover vs tarp: the gear we compared

Three round fire pit covers, ranked by our scores, highest first. For winter-specific roundups, see the best fire pit cover for winter and the best fire pit cover for rainy climates.

1. ULTCOVER Fire Pit Cover

The ULTCOVER states the largest fit of the three: round fire tables up to 44 in in diameter. The listing states 600D polyester canvas with a waterproof backing, stated to keep rain, hail, snow, dust, leaves and bird droppings off the pit, with UV resistance. Structured air vents on two sides keep ventilation moving and help stop the cover blowing away, while plastic clips and heavy duty elastic draw cords fasten it to the table leg. It is a pull-on design with a drawstring strap, finished in brown, and the maker states a 3 Year Warranty.

2. Porch Shield Pit Cover

The Porch Shield fits round fire pits up to 42 in D x 24 in H and names a long list of pit brands it suits. The fabric is 600D tough polyester with a water resistant undercoating, given as 70% polyester and 30% PVC, with double stitched and sealed seams and a ripstop weave the maker states against sun, rain, snow, wind and dust. An adjustable elastic hem cord gives a snug fit, bottom buckle straps fight wind, and large air vents avoid internal condensation. Heavy duty ribbon weaving handles on the vents make it easy to put on and take off. The listing gives an item weight of 1.41 kg, a drawstring closure and a 3 years warranty.

3. Kipiea Fire Pit Cover

The Kipiea covers round fire pits up to 36 in D x 20 in H and lists the sizes it fits: 33, 34, 35 and 36 in in diameter and 17, 18, 19 and 20 in in height. It states 600D Oxford fabric with a double-layer PU coating and sealed seams, described by the maker as water resistant, with tear and UV resistance and a claim of blocking 99.99% of UV rays. Four windproof buckles and 2 adjustable drawstrings hold it down, and a storage bag is included. The listing gives item dimensions of 35.83 in L x 35.83 in W x 20.08 in H, an item weight of 0.45 kg, and a 3-year replacement term with 24-hour customer service.

Cover	Stated fit	Fabric	Vents and straps	Warranty
ULTCOVER Fire Pit Cover	Up to 44 in diameter	600D polyester canvas, water resistant backing (stated)	Vents on two sides; plastic clips, elastic draw cords	3 Year Warranty
Porch Shield Pit Cover	Up to 42 in D x 24 in H	600D polyester, 70% polyester 30% PVC	Large air vents; elastic hem cord, bottom buckle straps	3 years warranty
Kipiea Fire Pit Cover	Up to 36 in D x 20 in H	600D Oxford, double-layer PU coating (stated)	4 windproof buckles, 2 adjustable drawstrings; storage bag	3-year replacement

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just throw a tarp over my fire pit?

For a night or two, yes, if you tie it down. For the season, a fitted cover is the better answer: tarps flap in wind, pool water in their folds and trap damp air against the metal, while the covers here state vents, tie-downs and fitted shapes made for the job.

Should a fire pit cover have vents?

Yes. The Porch Shield lists large air vents to avoid internal condensation, and the ULTCOVER lists structured air vents on two sides to keep ventilation moving. Vents let the moisture rising off a cooling pit escape instead of sitting under the cover.

How do I measure my fire pit for a cover?

Measure the diameter across the widest point and the height from the ground to the top, then compare with the cover’s stated fit. The three covers here state up to 42 in D x 24 in H, up to 44 in diameter, and up to 36 in D x 20 in H. Pick the smallest cover that still clears your measurements.

Will a cover keep the pit dry in heavy rain?

The makers state water resistant or waterproof coatings or backings; the Porch Shield and Kipiea state sealed seams, and the Kipiea adds a double-layer PU coating. Those are the maker’s claims, not a promise that no water ever gets in; a snug fit and tied-down straps do as much work as the fabric in a real storm.

Do these covers include a warranty?

All three state one. The Porch Shield lists 3 years warranty, the ULTCOVER lists a 3 Year Warranty, and the Kipiea lists a 3-year replacement term with 24-hour customer service.

Related guides

See the best fire pit cover for winter, the best fire pit cover for rainy climates, the firewood cover vs tarp guide for the woodpile version of this question, the best cover for 36 inch fire pit and our stove accessories hub.