Napoleon Riverside 36: an outdoor log fire for a patio wall
The Napoleon Riverside 36 is an outdoor gas fireplace for a patio wall. It fits into a framed surround rather than needing a full stone chimney. The fire opening measures about 36 inches wide by 30 inches tall. Logs give the fire a traditional look. It is built for permanent outdoor use and cannot be installed indoors or enclosed.
Order it for natural gas or propane. It sits outside, so it needs no vent pipe at all. It puts out up to 50,000 BTU, enough to warm a patio on a cool night. It comes with an external control panel and a finishing flange, a border that finishes the edge around the fire opening. On the page you pick the log set: oak, birch, or split oak. Optional back panels, a stainless steel weather cover, and an outdoor timer let you tailor it to your patio, with more on the page. Napoleon backs it with its President’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. Want a wider fire? See the Napoleon Riverside 42 gas fireplace. The Napoleon Riverside 36 ships free from My Cozy Outdoors with No Sales Tax (except WY) and the full manufacturer warranty.
FAQ
Is the Riverside 36 built to handle rain and snow?
Yes — it is purpose-built for permanent outdoor installation. Reasonable off-season care (keeping the firebox clear of water and debris as the manual describes) keeps it presentation-ready for years.
Does the Riverside 36 need venting or a chimney?
No — outdoor gas fireplaces exhaust straight to open air, so there is no vent run at all. The flip side: it is strictly an outdoor appliance and can never be enclosed or installed indoors.
How warm does the Riverside 36 make a patio?
Its 50,000 BTU output through a 36.13 x 30.06 in opening throws serious radiant heat — enough to keep a seating area comfortable on cool evenings and stretch your outdoor season by months.
What does it cost to run the Riverside 36?
About 0.50 therms of natural gas per hour at maximum — roughly 75 cents hourly at average U.S. rates — with no wood to buy, haul, or season.
Is the Riverside 36 cheaper than building a masonry outdoor fireplace?
Dramatically, in most projects — it drops into a simple framed surround (minimum 43 x 38.25 x 19.56 in) instead of requiring a full stone chimney structure, cutting both material and labor costs.
Can solid fuel ever go in the Riverside 36?
No — gas only. Burning wood or charcoal in it is unsafe, damages the burner and media, and voids Napoleon’s warranty.
What warranty ships with the Riverside 36?
Napoleon’s President’s Limited Lifetime Warranty — top-tier coverage for an outdoor unit — included in full through our authorized Napoleon dealership.