Match Lit vs Electronic Fire Bowls: Pool Automation, Gas and Costs (2026)
Quick answer: The Outdoor Plus fire bowls come in two versions: match lit (you light the burner by hand with a lighter and a gas key) and low voltage electronic ignition (the bowl lights itself when its power is switched on). Only electronic bowls can be run from pool automation: The Outdoor Plus says the supplied 110V transformer connects to most pool and home automation controllers, and one transformer normally runs up to four bowls. On fire bowls, electronic ignition adds about $2,105 per bowl. Both work on natural gas or propane.
Pool owners ask us two questions about fire bowls more than any other: can it turn on with the pool lights? and is the electronic version worth the extra cost? Here are the answers, based on The Outdoor Plus installation manuals, their 2026 catalog and a direct confirmation from their sales support team.
The two ignition types on fire bowls
| Match lit | Low voltage electronic | |
|---|---|---|
| How you turn it on | Open the gas key, light the burner with a long lighter | Switch on its power: a switch, timer or automation relay |
| Power needed | None | 110V supply to the included transformer |
| Pool automation | No | Yes, through the controller |
| Extra parts | Key valve (sold separately) | Transformer and electronic valve included |
| Price | Lowest | About $2,105 more per bowl |
Fire bowls and fire and water bowls are offered in these two versions only. Push-button spark and Flame Sense options are for fire pits, not bowls.
Several bowls at night: electronic ignition lights them all at once.
What electronic ignition costs
| Bowl (natural gas, standard colors) | Match lit | Electronic | Pair, electronic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maya 24" fire bowl | $2,024 | $4,129 | $8,258 |
| Cazo 31" fire bowl | $2,264 | $4,369 | $8,738 |
| Sedona 33" fire bowl | $2,181 | $4,286 | $8,572 |
| Cazo 24" fire and water | $2,497 | $4,602 | $9,204 |
| Cazo 31" fire and water | $2,691 | $4,796 | $9,592 |
| Cazo 36" fire and water | $2,795 | $4,900 | $9,800 |
Prices on chichomedeco.com in October 2026. Free freight in the lower 48 on orders of $2,000 or more. Propane is the same price.
The difference is the same on every bowl we checked: $2,105 per bowl. On a pair that is $4,210, so it is worth deciding early whether automation matters to you. You choose the ignition on the product page when you order.
How electronic ignition lights the bowl
The low voltage system has no button on the bowl. From The Outdoor Plus manual: you turn the fire feature on by turning on the electrical device that powers it, and then:
- The hot surface igniter (glow plug) heats up.
- About 4 seconds later the pilot gas valve opens.
- Within 10 seconds the pilot flame is lit.
- Within 10 seconds of the pilot, the main burner ignites.
To turn it off, you switch the power off. That is why it pairs so well with automation: the controller only has to switch the power.
On a schedule, the bowls light themselves at dusk.
Pool automation: Pentair, Jandy, Hayward
We asked The Outdoor Plus directly. Their sales support team confirmed that the low voltage ignition systems can be installed to most pool and home automation centers by connecting the supplied 110V transformer to the homeowner's controller port. The exact port and settings differ by controller, so your pool electrician checks your model.
Popular controllers include Pentair, Jandy and Hayward. Once wired, you can:
- Turn the bowls on and off from the pool app.
- Put them on a schedule, for example every evening at sunset.
- Link them to a scene with the pool lights and the water features.
Your pool electrician makes the connection to the controller; ask for the bowl's install manual when you order.
Fire and water bowls on automation: flame, water and lights on one schedule.
Transformer and wiring basics
- Included transformer: a low voltage safety isolation transformer for pool and spa use, in a rainproof enclosure, with a 110V input.
- Mounting: at least 1 foot above the ground, arrows facing up.
- Up to four bowls per transformer: The Outdoor Plus says one transformer normally controls up to four separate ignition systems. Do not connect two or more transformers in parallel.
- Codes: the installer follows the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) and the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54), plus local codes.
Planning a pair or a row?
With up to four bowls on one transformer, two to four bowls can usually switch together from one controller output. Tell your electrician how many bowls you are installing before the trenching starts.
A pair at the pool corners: one transformer can switch both bowls together.
Match lit: the key valve
Match lit bowls are simple and have nothing electrical to wire. You open the gas with a key and light the burner by hand. Two things to know:
- The key valve is sold separately, and it must be mounted within arm's reach of the burner. The Outdoor Plus can install it on the bowl at the factory (part OPT-KVI, including key valve, whistle-free hose and installation).
- It is the budget choice: about $2,105 less per bowl, and the right choice where there is no power near the bowl.
Natural gas or propane by the pool
| Natural gas | Propane | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply pressure (manual) | 3.5 to 7.0 inches W.C. | 8.0 to 11.0 inches W.C. |
| Orifice | Brass orifice under the burner | Brass air mixer orifice for a clean, soot-free flame |
| Fire glass | Optional | Not recommended: propane is heavier than air and can pool under glass |
| Where the gas comes from | A line from your house supply | A tank placed out of sight, with a buried line |
From The Outdoor Plus 2026 catalog and fire bowl installation manual. Bowls ship set up for the gas you choose, at the same price.
For bowls on pillars or a pool wall, the manual calls for underground gas piping to each bowl, reduced to 1/2-inch NPT at the bowl, with stainless steel whistle-free hoses only. With propane, the tank does not sit next to the bowl: a licensed gas professional places it where local clearance rules allow and runs a buried line to each column. Column sizes and mounting are covered in our fire bowls on pillars guide.
Gas and water lines run inside the wall, so nothing shows on the deck.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose electronic if you have pool automation or want the bowls to light from a switch, an app or a schedule, especially with two or more bowls.
- Choose match lit if the budget matters most, there is no power near the bowls, or you are happy to light them by hand when you use the pool.
- For fire and water bowls by a pool, electronic makes the most sense when the pump and lights already run on automation.
Four bowls in a row: the most one transformer normally runs.
Shop fire and water bowlsStill choosing a bowl? See the best gas fire bowls, fire and water bowl sizes and cost, or the water-only option in outdoor water bowls for pools.
Frequently asked questions
Can a fire bowl be connected to Pentair pool automation?
Yes, with low voltage electronic ignition. The Outdoor Plus confirms its low voltage ignition can be installed to most pool and home automation centers by connecting the supplied 110V transformer to the controller port. Match lit bowls cannot be automated.
Do you need to press a button to light an electronic fire bowl?
No. The bowl lights itself when its power is switched on: the igniter heats, the pilot opens after about 4 seconds, and the main burner lights within about 20 seconds. The switch can be a wall switch, a timer or the pool controller.
How much more is electronic ignition on a fire bowl?
On The Outdoor Plus fire bowls and fire and water bowls it is about $2,105 more per bowl than match lit, for example $2,264 vs $4,369 for a 31-inch Cazo fire bowl on natural gas.
How many fire bowls can run on one transformer?
The Outdoor Plus says one transformer normally controls up to four separate ignition systems. Transformers should not be connected in parallel.
Is a key valve included with a match lit fire bowl?
No, key valves are sold separately and must be within arm's reach of the burner. The Outdoor Plus can install one at the factory (OPT-KVI).
Can I use fire glass with propane in a fire bowl?
The Outdoor Plus does not recommend fire glass with propane, because propane is heavier than air and can collect under the glass. Lava rock is used instead.
