Stub the Gas Line First
Your gas line should already be stubbed up through the center before the walls went up. Retrofitting a line through finished blockwork is miserable.
Set the Burner Pan
Set the burner pan level on a bed of lava rock or fire glass — never sand. Sand traps moisture and can pop dangerously under heat.
Keep Ports Clear, Ignition Accessible
Keep burner ports clear of media and make sure the ignition stays accessible for service.
The Gas Connection Is a Pro Job
Have a licensed plumber make the gas connection. That's not a DIY step in most cities — and it's not worth the risk anywhere.
Pro tips from the field
- Size the burner to the pit, not the catalog photo. An oversized burner in a small pit is a flamethrower.
- Lava rock hides the burner best; fire glass looks modern but shows every fingerprint of ash.
- Install a key valve within reach but out of the heat zone — fumbling behind a hot pit is miserable.
Common questions
Can you put sand under a gas fire pit burner?
No — sand traps moisture and can pop under heat. Use lava rock or fire glass.
Do I need a plumber for a gas fire pit?
Yes — a licensed plumber should make the gas connection in most jurisdictions.