Natural gas isn't quite as hot as the bottled stuff, but these seem just as hot as any of the ones I've experienced at a restaurant. I had one at first, and it was a bit disappointing, but once I got the 2nd one, it created a nice little heat bubble. I really wanted these hooked into the permanent gas supply, I really didn't want to be swapping out gas bottles all the time. Pretty easy to put together. And prettier without the big bulbous bottom, easy enough to move. I did not attach them to the ground (so i can move them). I've just put sandbags on the base. I've had some very very strong winds since, and no issues. The base isn't as small as you think, and so it's pretty solid, the sandbag is just in case. Pretty happy.