Anyone smart on Gas Fire Pit / Fire Ring Inserts?

[Nickshu]

A landscaper is building me a custom outdoor fire pit. It will be round in shape and finished in flagstone. He asked me to just buy my own fire put insert and he'll build it in. The choices are mind boggling. It will be supplied by 1/2" gas line coming straight off the meter about 60-70' away. I'd like at least a 12' flame height going thru either lava rock or faux logs. No electrical will be run to the area other than some low voltage lighting in the area.

Any tips and or pitfalls I should be aware of? Thanks in advance.

[look 171]

make sure it has drain holes on the pan (if you have a pan at all?). 1/2" gas line only for 70'? I have not calculated it yet, but I go 3/4" instead. 12' of flames? what are you trying to do, keep your neighbor away.

I built many on hill side decks that act as fence. They are long normally 10-14' and about 8-14 inches wide. I will try and get you a pic of my own sometime tomorrow.

[look 171]

Any building code and code on the fire insert. There are none here surprisingly. We usually drill out gav. pipes at 1" apart, 1/8" hole. Heavier sand is nice but no fun to clean leaves off it. I let ours go and its fill with leaves since its summer and hot as hell here.

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by look 171

make sure it has drain holes on the pan (if you have a pan at all?). 1/2" gas line only for 70'? I have not calculated it yet, but I go 3/4" instead. 12' of flames? what are you trying to do, keep your neighbor away.

I built many on hill side decks that act as fence. They are long normally 10-14' and about 8-14 inches wide. I will try and get you a pic of my own sometime tomorrow.

Oops I meant 12" of flames. We could go 3/4".

[look 171]

Depending on size of this fire pit, and is the BBQ running off natural gas? I did all that, and its part of an outdoor kitchen, BBQ and two burners. I upped the size of the meter to allow more gas to the appliances. Out here, So cal Gas does this free of charge.

[look 171]

One thing to think about is that during a rain storm, will this become a small pond fill with water that has no where to go? It will cause rust and rot to the steel pipes and such. The reason I llike a pan is that eliminates all these water collection issues. Getting water away from structures and such has always been part of my design or engineering if you can call it that. I come across way too many damages cause by poor or improper drainage. Got a pic of the place and location?

[ckissick]

I just finished a fire pit. I built it up with brick, and filled the inside with pea gravel. There's a drain at the bottom. The ring sits on the pea gravel and is covered with lava rock. They sell pans, but they are very expensive. I don't see a need for a pan. Why can't the ring just sit on the pea gravel? Rain will just quickly filter through to the drain at the bottom.

The link below is a good resource.

DIY Fire Pits & Parts | WoodlandDirect.com: Outdoor Fire Pits, Outdoor Fireplace Units, Fire Pits, Outdoor Fire Pit Accessories-Woodlanddirect.com

[look 171]

Depending what the pit is sitting on? If its on concert, then simple drain or weep holes will do to prevent an unwanted pond. If there is no way for the water to drain, all that pretty stuff from WoodlandDirect will be sitting in water for a day or two depending how saturated the ground is. A pan will allow it to sit higher then just ground level so gravity will pull water away from all the expensive equip and drain out onto adjacent flower bed or open area.

[Nickshu]

Thanks guys I was thinking of a flat pan unit like this one: 16" American Fyre Designs Round Burner Pan - Match Lit/Push to Turn | WoodlandDirect.com: Outdoor Fireplaces: DIY, American Fyre Designs

I don't think I want a bowl-type pan because I'd like to set it a bit deeper below the top of the pit for wind protection.

I do like the idea of just sitting it on pea gravel with no pan. Although all the pans I have seen have drain holes and we'll build the pit area with drainage of course. I think he's planning to use cinder block then face it with flagstone.

The gas line will be dedicated off the meter. I put in a built in grill/bar/outdoor kitchen area on the other side of the patio about 2 years ago and it has a separate gas line over there, built by the same guy he did a nice job.

[look 171]

No, not just a dedicated gas line right off the meter, but a bigger meter that will allow enough flow to supply all appliances throughout the house. They will calculate total BTU and decide for you. Well, they should

[dennis in se pa]

A natural gas fire pit? That ain't right! OK to each his own, but just like gas grilling is not charcoal grilling a gas fire pit ......well you might as well just put a picture there. I bought a deep wide copper fire pit years ago and it is still fine. I burn oak and birch for the smell. A gas fire pit to me is like making love to one of those plastic dolls. I know they are popular because they are easy and clean and don't throw sparks and easily turned off, but it just is not the same as a real campfire. I am not telling you what to do. And I wish you well with your project. I am just inputting how I feel about outdoor fire pits.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by look 171

Depending on size of this fire pit, and is the BBQ running off natural gas? I did all that, and its part of an outdoor kitchen, BBQ and two burners. I upped the size of the meter to allow more gas to the appliances. Out here, So cal Gas does this free of charge.

I'm going to try and do the fire pit and BBQ sometime next spring/summer. My backyard needs to much work to make it a useable outdoor living space.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

A gas fire pit to me is like making love to one of those plastic dolls. I know they are popular because they are easy and clean and don't throw sparks and easily turned off, but it just is not the same

She is very easy to clean, she doesn't throw sparks, and is easily turned on too.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

I'm going to try and do the fire pit and BBQ sometime next spring/summer. My backyard needs to much work to make it a useable outdoor living space.

I really like to see that down slope area back filled for a larger and more usable yard. An elongated fire place can be had there acting almost as a fence. A couple chairs and a small table and you are done. That's just one example. A traditional round pit with an edge (looks good) that double as seating surrounding the fire can also be done in the middle section of the yard. Still back fill that area another for 6' of additional space. That lil' dog will be happy. Not too much money to do this. I KNOW you have enough gas to power them all. When the time comes, I will more then happy to help you with the design. I will bring my special shovel for ya.

[widgeon13]

Priceless!

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

She is very easy to clean, she doesn't throw sparks, and is easily turned on too.

[1990C4S]

And here I was just thinking it was wasted...

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by look 171

I will bring my special shovel for ya.

Cool!

[strupgolf]

Like they say, real wood means a real fire. Go natural if you can. I love the open fire pit because my folks had one in the 60's, and I grew up with one.

[Nickshu]

Figured out today I will probably need a bigger gas meter. I added up about 350,000-400,000 BTUs/hr as my max gas draw with my current hookups. Figured I'll need another 70,000 BTUs for the fire pit then I want an extra 30-50,000 in reserve as I'll probably add another gas fireplace when I finish my basement in a couple years. Current meter is an AC—250. I believe regulated to 1/2 inches wc, but I see no markings on my regulator you tell me what it's regulated to.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Cool!

don't you wish