Simple Fire Pit hardware

A match lit fire pit (strike a match and turn on the gas) is pretty simple. Starting with the fire ring and working back to the gas supply, you will need a flex connector from the fire ring hub to the ball valve. Another flex connector from the valve to the gas supply stub or LP hose is all you need. Hard piping is an option rather than the flex connectors. Flex connectors are corrugated on the inside. High pressure gas passing over these corrugations can set up a harmonic and the connector may sing. Hard piping does not have this problem, but is much more time consuming and precise to set up. High capacity flex connectors are now out, but I have not heard enough about these as yet to put forth an evaluation.

There are two other hardware pieces you may want to consider. Propane gas does not burn as cleanly as natural gas. Propane produces soot during the burn process. An LP orifice added to the line to the fire ring is designed to add more air to the propane gas mixture. This helps the gas to burn more cleanly.

Thanks to Hearth Products Controls

The fire ring must be supported and a pan may be just what you need. The burner has to rest somewhere. Whatever else you want to add to the pit (ceramic logs, lava rock, fire glass) also needs support. There are two types of pans, the traditional bowl style and the flat pan. Both have a nipple in the center to connect the fire ring. The burner will set down inside the bowl style. You can then add the decorative items on and around the ring.

The flat pan is much cheaper, but lacks the containment ability of the bowl style. It is simply a flat, stainless steel (round or square) piece with a nipple in the center to mount the fire ring.

Photos courtesy of Fire Pit Outfitter.com

These components are 1/2" connections. Larger fire rings like the 36" and above are available in 3/4" sizes. Rings of this size require a much higher gas pressure to get a decent sized flame, 300k BTU and more.

Next blog: A cool fire pit building system