The Outdoor Plus Del Mar Review: Is It Worth It?

Published Jun 2, 2026 · Reviewed by the HeavenCrest team · Authorized Outdoor Plus dealer

Quick answer: The Outdoor Plus Del Mar is worth it if you're building a permanent, design-led patio and want a sculptural GFRC fire pit that reads as architecture, not appliance. It's not worth it if you need portability, a wood-burning experience, or a fire pit under $4,000. Pricing on HeavenCrest spans $4,126 to $8,155 across five sizes and four ignition tiers.

"The Outdoor Plus Del Mar fire pit in Limestone GFRC finish, flames lit at dusk on a flagstone patio."

Key Takeaways

• The Del Mar is The Outdoor Plus's signature GFRC (glass-fiber-reinforced concrete) fire pit, offered in five sizes from 48" to 96" and 18 standard finishes spanning matte stones, rustics, and metallics.
• Four factory ignition systems: Match Lit with Flame Sense, Spark Ignition with Flame Sense, Low Voltage Electronic, and Plug & Play Electronic. All CSA-listed.
• Runs on natural gas or liquid propane. Made-to-order in California with a 3–4 week lead time and free curbside freight through HeavenCrest.
• HeavenCrest pricing: $4,126 (48" Match Lit) to $8,155 (96" Plug & Play Electronic). The 48" Plug & Play is currently $5,292, down from $5,752.

Who the Del Mar Is For

The Del Mar is for someone designing a patio around a permanent gathering point. You're sourcing a sectional that will live outside for the next decade, and the fire feature has to hold its own next to it. You already know the difference between GFRC and cast concrete, and you've ruled out the $799 big-box bowl that rusts in two seasons.

It is not for someone who wants to move their fire pit. Even the 48" weighs in the hundreds of pounds; the 96" is a freight-only proposition that lives where you put it. It is not for someone who wants to burn wood and smell smoke. The Del Mar is a gas fire pit by design. And it is not a budget purchase: even the entry-tier configuration starts above $4,100.

If those constraints fit, the Del Mar is one of the most credible square GFRC fire pits on the market. If they don't, browse our fire pit collection for portable bowls and metal alternatives instead.

The Build: What "GFRC" Actually Buys You

GFRC stands for glass-fiber-reinforced concrete: a hand-cast composite of fine cement, polymers, and chopped alkali-resistant glass fiber. It's roughly a third the weight of poured concrete at equivalent strength, holds crisp edges, and resists the freeze-thaw cracking that ends the life of cheaper concrete bowls within a few winters.

What you feel when you touch a Del Mar is a surface that reads as natural stone. Slight tooth. Slight irregularity. No plastic gloss. The corners are sharp without being fragile. The walls are thin enough that the proportions feel intentional, not bulky. This is the difference between a fire pit that looks like a feature and one that looks like a chunk of patio furniture.

The Outdoor Plus has been making GFRC fire features in their Southern California facility for more than a decade, and the Del Mar is the most refined expression of that catalog. Each unit is hand-finished. No two are visually identical, which is why the 3–4 week lead time is the floor.

Sizes: How to Pick the Right One

Use seating geometry as your driver, not square footage of patio.

• 48" fits a four-person conversation grouping. The minimum where the fire feels proportional to chairs.
• 60" is the most-specified size in our experience. Anchors a sectional or six-seat layout with room to set a glass down on the wide rim.
• 72" begins to read as architecture. Pairs naturally with larger sectionals and ten-foot patio depths.
• 84" is hospitality scale. Specified primarily by designers for boutique hotels, ADUs, and large estate patios.
• 96" is a statement at eight feet square. Requires planning around freight access, gas-line sizing, and clearance per NFPA 58 and local codes.

A rough rule we use with clients: pick the size where chairs sit roughly 18–24 inches off the rim. Closer and people back away from heat. Farther and the fire stops being the social anchor.

For BTU output by size and burner pan dimensions, The Outdoor Plus's published Del Mar spec sheet is the source of truth.

The Finish Library

The Del Mar ships in eighteen GFRC finishes across three visual families. Most of the buyer regret we see comes from picking a finish without seeing it in person under the actual light conditions of the patio.

The matte stones (Limestone, Vanilla, Ash, Natural Grey, Grey, Black) read as natural stone at distance. Limestone and Vanilla warm a patio that already leans cool. Natural Grey and Ash disappear into modern hardscapes. Black is the most architectural choice and pairs well with bronze or blackened-steel furniture.

The browns and rustics (Brown, Chestnut, Chocolate, Rustic White, Rustic Coffee, Rustic Grey, Rustic Moss Stone) carry a hand-applied variegation that feels like weathered stone. They photograph beautifully but require buyers comfortable with non-uniform color, which is the point.

The metallics (Metallic Pearl, Silver, Bronze, Copper, Slate) read as polished concrete with a subtle shimmer. Bronze and Copper warm dramatically at dusk. Slate is the most contemporary of the lineup.

If you're between options, request a sample through our color guide page or call our team at (645) 220-1074 before committing. Once a Del Mar enters production, the finish is final.

Ignition Options Decoded

This is the single decision where most first-time TOP buyers underspend.

Match Lit with Flame Sense ($4,126 at 48") is the entry tier. You manually light the burner with a long lighter. Flame Sense adds a thermocouple that cuts gas if the flame goes out. Choose this if budget is the deciding factor and you're comfortable being the one who lights it.

Spark Ignition with Flame Sense ($4,288 at 48") uses push-button piezo ignition. No batteries, no electrical run. A pragmatic middle tier for about $160 more.

Low Voltage Electronic ($5,292 at 48") is a 30VDC system with a wall-mounted control. Requires a low-voltage line. Best for fully integrated outdoor builds where the electrician is already on site.

Plug & Play Electronic ($5,292 at 48") is TOP's most user-friendly ignition. A transformer plugs into a standard 120V GFCI outlet; a wireless remote handles on/off. This is the closest the Del Mar gets to feeling like a gas fireplace inside the home.

The honest take: if you have an outdoor GFCI within 25 feet of the burner enclosure, Plug & Play is worth the roughly $1,166 premium over Match Lit on the 48". You will use the Del Mar more often. That alone justifies it.

Featured product The Outdoor Plus Del Mar Fire Pit — 48"–96", 18 GFRC finishes, 4 ignition tiers, NG or LP. From $4,126 with free curbside freight. Configure your Del Mar on HeavenCrest

Natural Gas vs. Propane

The Del Mar runs on either fuel. Both perform identically at the flame; the differences are upstream.

Natural gas is the better choice when you have a patio gas stub or can run one before installation. Continuous supply, no tank, no refills. A licensed plumber must size the line, especially at 60" and above where rated BTU output demands a properly sized supply.

Liquid propane is the right choice for properties without natural gas service and for second homes. The tradeoff is tank logistics: a standard 20-lb tank will not power an 84" or 96" Del Mar for long. Most propane buyers at those sizes install a 100-lb or larger stationary tank with a regulator. Plan for tank concealment in your patio design.

Install & Ownership Reality

A Del Mar arrives on a freight truck, curbside. The driver leaves it at the curb, not on your patio. Plan for two strong people on the 48", four for the 60" and up, or hire white-glove placement separately. The unit ships fully assembled.

Day-one steps after delivery: pressure-test the gas line, verify clearances, add fire media (lava rock or fire glass, sold separately on most configurations; confirm at checkout), and run the burner for ten minutes to burn off any factory residue.

Long-term ownership is light. GFRC handles rain, sun, and freeze-thaw without sealing in most climates. We recommend a fitted cover during winter or extended non-use. Wipe down after pollen season. Check the burner orifices annually. That's the maintenance.

Where the Del Mar Sits Against Alternatives

Three honest comparisons.

Del Mar vs. The Outdoor Plus Cabo Linear. Same brand, same GFRC, same finish library. The Cabo is rectangular and suits long dining-table layouts. The Del Mar is square and suits conversation circles. Choose by furniture geometry, not feature list.

Del Mar vs. Prism Hardscapes Tavola. Closest competitor on craftsmanship and material. Tavola tends to read slightly more rustic; Del Mar reads cleaner and more architectural. Pricing is within a few hundred dollars per size.

Del Mar vs. a metal fire pit like the Coronado. Different visual languages. The Coronado Corten Steel is sculptural and patinas over years. The Del Mar is permanent and architectural from day one. Buyers rarely cross-shop these two seriously; they answer different design briefs.

Pricing & Lead Time

Current HeavenCrest pricing across all configurations:

Free curbside freight is included. Lead time is 3–4 weeks for standard finishes. Custom colors are available on request and add lead time; talk to our team before ordering. Returns are accepted within 14 days on standard items, but the Del Mar is built to order and therefore non-returnable. Triple-check size, finish, ignition, and fuel type before checkout.

The Verdict

For the right buyer, yes. Unambiguously.

The Del Mar earns its price through material quality, finish range, ignition flexibility, and the kind of restrained design that doesn't go out of style. It's the fire pit you buy once and live with for the next fifteen years. The Plug & Play ignition makes it genuinely easy to use. The GFRC build survives weather without drama. The eighteen finishes mean you don't have to compromise on the color story of your patio.

What it isn't: a deal, a quick decision, or the right call if you haven't locked your hardscape. If you're still figuring out the patio layout, finish your hardscape first and come back to the Del Mar when the design is set.

If you're ready, the simplest next step is to talk to someone who has placed dozens of these.

Configure your Del Mar on HeavenCrest · Talk to a HeavenCrest specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Outdoor Plus Del Mar fire pit worth the price? Yes, for buyers building a permanent, design-led patio. Hand-cast GFRC construction, 18 finishes, four ignition options, and a CSA-listed burner deliver a sculptural piece that holds up for 10–15 years. It is not the right buy for portability, wood-burning, or budgets under $4,000.

Can the Del Mar be used with natural gas? Yes. The Del Mar is available in both natural gas and liquid propane configurations. Natural gas is preferable when a patio gas stub is available. Liquid propane is the right choice for properties without gas service. A licensed plumber must install either, and the gas line must be sized to the BTU output of your specific Del Mar size.

What ignition option should I choose for the Del Mar? If you have access to an outdoor GFCI outlet, Plug & Play Electronic is the recommended choice for push-button remote operation. Match Lit with Flame Sense is the budget option and works fine if you don't mind lighting manually. Spark Ignition with Flame Sense is the no-electrical-required middle ground.

Does the Del Mar fire pit come with fire glass or lava rock? Fire media is not always included in the base Del Mar configuration. Confirm on the product page or with a HeavenCrest specialist before checkout. Most buyers choose either tempered fire glass (sleek and modern) or lava rock (naturalistic).

How long does the Del Mar take to ship? Standard Del Mars ship in 3–4 weeks from order. Custom colors add lead time. Delivery is curbside freight; plan for placement help or arrange white-glove delivery separately.

Is GFRC the same as regular concrete? No. GFRC is a hand-cast composite that includes alkali-resistant glass fibers and polymers. It's lighter, stronger in tension, and far more freeze-thaw resistant than standard poured concrete, which is why GFRC fire pits like the Del Mar outlast cast-concrete bowls by years.

HeavenCrest is an authorized dealer of The Outdoor Plus. All pricing and specifications confirmed against the live HeavenCrest Del Mar product page as of May 2026 and the manufacturer's published spec sheet. For project consultation, contact our team at support@heavencrest.shop or (645) 220-1074.