South Florida's hurricane season runs June through November, peaking in early September — and the equipment that survives it isn't just the equipment built right, it's the equipment prepped right. This is the operational side of coastal outdoor living: what to do at the start of the season, when a watch goes up, when a warning is issued, and before you relight anything after the storm passes. If you're still choosing what to buy, start with our coastal-rated fire pit collection or our look at stainless grill construction for coastal Florida — this article assumes the gear is already on your patio.
At the Start of the Season (June)
- Verify anchoring: gas fire pit tables and built-ins plumbed to a fixed line should be bolted to the slab — confirm the hardware hasn't corroded since last season
- Check covers: breathable covers (not plastic) on grills, fire pits, and heater heads should be intact, with working straps or buckles
- Know your shut-offs: locate the gas shut-off for every plumbed appliance now — not by flashlight with the wind picking up
- Photograph everything: a five-minute photo inventory of your outdoor equipment makes any insurance claim dramatically easier
When a Watch Is Issued: Stage the Plan
A watch means storm conditions are possible within roughly 48 hours — this is staging time, not panic time. Decide where every freestanding piece is going (garage or shed for grills, portable fire pits, and freestanding patio heaters) and clear that space now. Bag up loose fire media — lava rock and fire glass become airborne debris in hurricane wind. And plan for your propane: tanks never go indoors or into the garage. They ride out the storm outdoors — upright, secured, valves closed, away from the house.
When a Warning Is Issued: The Shut-Down Sequence
- Shut off gas at the source for every plumbed appliance — built-in grills, gas fire pits, and mounted heaters
- Disconnect propane tanks and secure them outdoors; the tankless grill or fire pit can then move into the garage or shed
- Cover burner pans on anything staying outside
- Bring freestanding patio heaters indoors entirely; for mounted or built-in units, disconnect gas or electrical service and cover the head if it can't be removed — even marine-grade heaters rated for daily coastal exposure aren't storm-rated
- Heavy fire pits and bolted fire tables stay put — that's exactly what the mass and anchoring are for
After the Storm: Inspect Before You Relight
Most post-hurricane equipment damage doesn't happen in the storm — it happens in the relight. Work through it in order:
- Gas lines and fittings: check every visible run for cracks, kinks, corrosion, or debris strikes; if a line took an impact, don't test it with a flame — soap-bubble test the connections or call a professional
- Burner ports: clear debris and salt crust before ignition — blocked ports cause flare-ups
- Electrical connections: heaters and any electric components that took water intrusion need to dry fully and be inspected before they're energized
- Rinse the salt off: a fresh-water rinse after the storm strips the salt load off stainless and steel surfaces before it starts working on them
If anything looks questionable, have it professionally inspected. A service call is cheaper than a replacement grill — and far cheaper than a gas incident.
Replacing Storm-Damaged Gear? Buy for the Coast
One buying note before you replace anything: corrosion resistance comes from construction, not paperwork — most manufacturer warranties explicitly exclude salt and coastal corrosion. Marine-grade stainless from AOG and Fire Magic, Marine-Grade Patio Heaters, and heavyweight fire pit tables are where to start. Free US shipping on every order.
REMEMBER: Always shut off the gas supply at the tank or line before a storm, never store propane tanks indoors or in a garage, and never relight any gas appliance after a storm without inspecting every connection first.
By Matthew Murphy
