After spending a wonderful evening around a cozy fire, worrying about tidying up the fire pit can kill the vibe for you. Switching from traditionally used firewood to fire glass for your fire pit can save you from trouble.
It is a modern alternative to wood-burning fireplaces and gas log fireplaces.
It will add an elegant look to your fire pit while being safe for you, your family, and the environment.
Here, we will help you with all the basic instructions, tips, and tricks of installing a fire glass in your fire pit.
Just follow the instructions to figure out!
STEP-1 Prepare the fire pit before installation
Getting a gas line
Before switching from traditional firewood to fire glass, you need to get a gas line for your fireplace. If you have a natural gas connection or available propane, you can easily install a gas fireplace pretty much anywhere in your home. So, make sure your fire pit has a gas line.
Contact a plumber or heating agency to get the line.
However, if you don’t have a chimney, there are other options for you. Ventless gas fireplaces do not require a flue, and gel-powered or electric fireplaces don’t even require a gas line.
Checking the functionality
Fire pits fuelled with gel are suitable in your smaller gardens, courtyard, or balconies. So, you need to ensure having a functioning flue and proper ventilation support to determine whether your fire pit is in good condition.
Cleaning and Painting
Firstly, you need to lay a drop cloth on the floor before cleaning the walls of your fireplace. Use a wire brush to remove the soot from the surface.
Wipe the surfaces of your fire pit clean with a dry cloth or a brush to remove any dust.
Cleaning is a very important step if you are painting the inside of the fireplace. You can use masking tape for the areas you don’t want to paint. Spray your paint with the masking tape on and remove it after the paint dries.
Don’t forget to remove the door or screen if there’s any to get free access while cleaning and painting!
Painting or repainting inside your fireplace can create a fantastic backdrop to show off your new fireside focal point.
STEP-2 Find the ideal location for the burner
You need to consider a few things while choosing the type of gas burner.
Fire media is a vital factor in this case. Style and appearance are needed to be considered too when it comes to fitting in with the rest of your décor.
While having the right type of burner, use a flexible connector to connect it to the gas line. Make sure the holes in the burner are facing up.
Light the burner and check the flame pattern. If it’s in the center of the fireplace and the flames are going up, then you are ready to go.
If you do not place your burner properly, you may get flames lapping on the back of the fire pit wall or being pulled back due to the draft.
You may also like: The Best Fireplace Draft Stopper
It can cause soot to build up and may not look good.
Now you have found the ideal location for the burner.
STEP-3 Fill your fire pit
While some of you decide to simply use a concrete or stone base instead of a fire pit filler, filler adds a nice aesthetic to your fire pit that can enhance the beauty of your backyard landscape.
Cover the base of the fireplace with a thin layer of sand and add the recommended 2’’-6’’ of filler on top of it. You can also make a small mark with a pencil, then fill your pit up with lava rock or sand filler up to that mark.
On top of your lava rock or sand filler, install your fire pit burner with the gas holes pointing up to help maximize flame size and efficiency.
Use tape to cover the holes of the burner while filling the fire pit. It will make the process a lot easier for you.
You may also like: The Best Rocks for Fire Pit
STEP-4 Add the fire glass
Finally, you are ready to add the fire glass.
There are various types and sizes of fire glass out there.
Pick your type
You will find types such as Crushed Fire Glass, Fire Beads, Fire Diamonds, Fire Cubes, Fire Dots, etc. and sizes such as 1/4″ and 3/8″ (for two-dimensional look) or 1/2″ and 3/4″ (for three-dimensional look).
Choose the fire glass according to the look of the fire pit and your choice.
Start from the front of the fire pit and then gradually move towards the back. Try to fill the fire pit with about a 3″ layer of glass (with no lava rock or sand under it) in the front of it and about a 1″ layer of glass (with lava rock and sand under it) in the back.
Take your time while adding the fire glass. This will provide you a better result.
Installing glass in the evening time can help you to see the actual effects of the fire and the toppings.
Find the amount
If you are confused about the quantity of the fire glass while purchasing, simply follow these rules:
- For Square or rectangular fire pits, multiply the length, width, and height of the fire pit and then divide the result by 19.
- For circular fire pits, square the diameter of the fire pit, multiply the result with the height of the firepit and then divide it by 24.
This is how you will find the amount of fire glass (in pounds) needed for your fire pit.
You can use this fire glass calculator as well to find the exact amount recommended for your fire pit.
Now that we have explained how to prepare your fire pit, place your burner, fill the fire pit, and add fire glass to it;
Here’s a bonus tip for you for reading so far!
Fire glass can last long without losing its color if you use it correctly in fire applications less than 1500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now, you can just follow these simple steps to completely transform the look and feel of your fire pit by installing fire glass without much hassle!
We hope this article helped you find the answers you were looking for. Is there anything else you want to know? Let us know in the comment section below.
