These fire pits are a way to enjoy the beautiful outdoors while still keeping warm in colder weather. They are made of lava rocks, which can hold strong heat for hours on end and give off a soft glow during the night.

The “how to light lava rock fire pit” is a technique that will be used in the future. This method of lighting fires is very easy and it can also be done with gas fire pits.

Volcanic magma rises to the surface, cools, and releases gases, resulting in lava rock. The gritty look of the rocks is due to this. They can withstand high temperatures naturally, making them ideal for use in gas fire pits. We’ll talk about how to make a fire pit out of lava rocks in this post.

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What Are the Benefits of Using Lava Rocks?

Lava rocks for natural gas fire pits are a popular option because of their rustic look, and they may also be utilized in an interior gas fire. Sandstone, river rocks, natural rocks, and gravel are not recommended for use in gas fire pits because they are more prone to shatter or explode when exposed to high temperatures. Lava rock is a considerably safer alternative with several benefits:

Retention of heat

Lava rocks excel at this, distributing heat uniformly and over a long period of time. This is ideal for gas fire pits because it provides even, Long-Lasting heat with no cold areas.

Weatherproofing

In your fire pit, a layer of lava rock (approximately three to four inches thick) may shield the burner from all sorts of weather. Because lava rock is water-resistant, it may aid in the drainage of your fire pit.

Keep the Burner Safe

When you ignite your gas fire pit, the gas travels through the crevices in the lava rock to keep the flame glowing on top. The fire pit’s flame and heat are located at the top. Because of its strong insulating characteristics, lava rock shields the burner from the tremendous heat. This improves the burner’s performance and increases its lifespan.

Long-Lasting

Lava rock can survive incredibly high temperatures and will not crumble or get damaged due to its volcanic nature. It requires very little upkeep and is quite durable, allowing it to be used frequently. It is environmentally safe, lightweight, and free of additives or chemicals. It also maintains its color well over time. Lava rock is also reasonably priced. It’s a good idea to cover your fire pit while it’s not in use if your lava rock is exposed to the sun for lengthy periods of time.

On A Gas Fire Pit, How To Arrange Lava Rocks

There are a few things to do before you start putting lava rock on your fire pit.

Because the rocks are taken from a lava field and tumbled, there may be dust in the bag when you obtain your bag of fire pit rocks from the seller.

Many people place one inch of pea gravel or sand on the bottom of the fire pit as a foundation before adding the lava rock on top.

Lava rock should be between two and four inches thick in most fire pits. Each fire pit is unique, and the amount needed will be specified on yours.

For your initial layer of rock on the gas fire pit, tiny lava rocks are a fantastic choice. Just above the burner element, fill the pit with water. The little fire rocks, which fit together firmly, will provide a nice foundation for your next layer, which may be lava rock or, if you can afford it, Glasses of Fire.

You’ll need to calculate how much fire pit rock you’ll require. This will be determined by the design of your fire pit and the depth of lava rock necessary.

Lava rocks for fire pits come in a variety of sizes (generally between 14 and 6 inches) and hues (mostly red or black/gray). The most frequent kind of lava rock used in fire pits is 1 to 3 inch diameter lava rock.

In gas fire pits, always use real lava rock; do not use fake lava rock intended for use in planters or gardens.

When you start the gas burner, gently move the pebbles about with a poker to help you shape the flames into the form you want. Do not approach the fire pit for roughly 30 minutes after igniting your lava rock for the first time. Small quantities of moisture may be present in new lava rock, which must be burned away. A “popping” sound will be produced by the lava rock. Keep a safe distance away from the fire pit until the sound stops.

Wet lava rock should never be used in a fire pit because it might erupt or fly out, causing injury to persons or pets close.

If you like, you may layer some ceramic logs on top of the red lava rock. The lava rocks enable the flames to flicker up around the logs, giving the appearance of a real log fire.

What Are Some Lava Rock Alternatives?

While lava rock has numerous benefits, some individuals dislike its appearance, believing it to be excessively rustic. Because there aren’t many colors or sizes to choose from, you may want to consider alternative possibilities.

Glasses of Fire

This is not ordinary glass; in a fire pit, ordinary glass will grow too hot and explode.

These Glasses of Fire crystals have been through a tempering process to make them fire safe, and heat resistant to withstand high temperatures. Glasses of Fire beads do not melt, burn, or discolor. Glasses of Fire is also smokeless and emits no soot or ash.

Firepit glass beads have a different appearance to lava rock as they have smooth polished surfaces, and are sparkly. This intensifies the fire from your firepit. It makes the flames flicker, shimmer, and shine brightly, even more so on very dark nights. This can be very atmospheric. Glasses of Fire beads are generally smaller than lava rock and have a more consistent shape, which allows them to disperse heat evenly.

Once lava glass heats up, it produces an intense and effective heat source due to its reflective nature. Like lava rock, Glasses of Fire is a good heat conductor.

Glass for fire pits is available in a variety of colors and sizes, enabling you to mix and match.

The most common shape for the Glasses of Fire in your outdoor fire pit is a mound that is slightly higher in the middle.

Many people chose to put Glasses of Fire on top of the lava rock they have already laid in the fire pit. This is perfectly acceptable and is cost-effective since Glasses of Fire costs more than lava rock. If you have the budget to do this, lava rock and Glasses of Fire go together well – ensuring heat is distributed effectively, key fire pit elements are protected, and you get a wider range of design options for your fire pit. If you chose this layering option, aim for your fire pit to contain about 20-25% Glasses of Fire.

If you use Glasses of Fire as the top layer, with lava rock on the bottom, arrange the Glasses of Fire thickly enough, so the lava rock becomes mostly invisible. If you use darker colored Glasses of Fire this will hide the lava rock more effectively

Glasses of Fire has a long life but may lose some of its sparkle over time. The Glasses of Fire beads do sometimes chip as well.

Glasses of Fire will show dirt and soot more than lava rock, and you will need to clean the Glasses of Fire beads occasionally. You will have to remove the Glasses of Fire beads and wash (you can use dish soap) thoroughly rinse and dry them. This is an opportunity to remove any debris from the fire pit at the same time and clean the burner pan.

Tumbled Lava Rock is a kind of lava rock that has been tumbled

The jagged edges have been removed from this lava stone, making it more rounded and consistent in shape than regular lava rock. If you choose, you may use it as a foundation or totally fill your fire pit with it.

Sand

Sand is another option for filling your gas fire pit. It can be used with lava rock and/or Glasses of Fire, or on its own. It will not have as attractive an appearance but is very cost-effective if you are on a budget and is easy to install. It also is good at heat distribution. Ash can get mixed up in the sand, however, creating a mess, especially if it gets wet when it will need to be replaced.

Dirt

This is a low-cost, heat-resistant, and simple-to-install fire pit solution. However, there are several drawbacks. If your fire ash gets mixed up with the earth, it may create a mess that is difficult to clean up if it becomes wet. You’d have to dig it out and replace it. As a result, this is a high-maintenance alternative.

Lava Rocks for Gas Fire Pits: Which Are the Best?

Let’s have a look at some of our favorite lava rock selections for your fire pit now that we’ve covered why lava rock is a wonderful choice for gas fire pits and other options to consider.

1. Lava Rocks of Venetian Princess

How-to-Use-Lava-Rocks-for-a-Fire-Pit

3/4″ (.75″) Venetian Princess Lava Rocks for Decorative Landscaping or Gas Fire Pit Rocks (10 Lbs, Red Lava Rock)

  • Lava Rocks come in sizes ranging from 1/2″ to 1-1/2″ and are available in black or red.
  • Lava rocks may be utilized in fire pits, fireplaces, or just as a decorative element.
  • Lava Rocks are heat resistant, making them perfect for use in both indoor and outdoor gas fire pits and fireplaces.
  • Calculating the Amount of Lava Rocks Required – Fire Pit, Circular/Round – To figure out how many pounds of Lava Rocks you’ll need for your project, do the following: Square Inches = Radius (Inches) x Radius (Inches) x 3.14 = Square Inches / Then divide the Square Inches by 16 = Number of Pounds required (This is calculated for the optimal depth for Lava Rocks of 2″ Deep)
  • Calculating How Much Lava Rocks You Need – Square/Rectangular Fire Pit – Width (Left & Right) x Depth (Front to Back) = Square Inches / Then Divide the Square Inches you have by 16 = Number of Pounds you’ll be needing to get how many pounds of Lava Rocks you’ll be needing (This is calculated for the optimal depth for Lava Rocks of 2″ Deep)

Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Last update on 2022-02-19

This Venetian Princess Lava Rock is certainly a fantastic option for gas fire pits, as seen by hundreds of rave reviews. This item is a cheap alternative since it comes in a pack of 10 pounds of lava rock for less than $20. This option is also available in a 40-pound bag if you have many gas fire pits on your property or a really big gas fire pit.

To best compliment your outdoor design, this lava rock is available in two colors: rustic red and black.

What We Enjoy:

  • To satisfy your requirements, we have 10 and 40-pound bags available.
  • It’s available in two colors: rustic red and black.
  • Hundreds of glowing testimonials
  • Affordable

Pebbles of Dragon Glass Lava

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DFBLP2-20 Dragon Glass Lava Pebbles, 20 pound, Black, Margo Garden Products

  • Sourced from Asia’s lava fields
  • Pebbles range in size from 3/4″ to 1 1/2″. Walkways, outside gardens, fountains, planters, and other innovative interior/exterior design are suggested uses.
  • Tumbled to give it a more consistent shape and a distinct appearance.
  • (length x width x height)/ 21 = pebbles Rectangular fireplace/fire pit (lbs. )
  • (diameter x diameter x Pebble Height)/ 26 = pebbles in a round fireplace/fire pit (lbs. )

Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Last update on 2022-02-19

These ornamental lava stones are made in Asia and have a lovely gray oval shape. They’re shockingly inexpensive, and they come in 20-pound packages. To best fit your requirements, you may get these lave stones in a single bag, two bags, three bags, or four bags (for a total of 80 pounds of rock).

What We Enjoy:

  • Stunning appearance
  • Suitable for use in gas fire pits.
  • Natural resources were used to create this product.
  • Affordable
  • Packs of 1, 2, 3, or 4 in a 20-pound bag (up to 80 pounds of rock)

Fire Pit Security

Fire pits provide ambience and beauty to your outdoor space. They remind some individuals of lovely nights spent in the countryside around a campfire. Keep in mind that since there is a fire involved, safety is a major priority. There are a few things to keep in mind to guarantee a safe firepit experience:

  • Make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy and that it is in excellent working condition.
  • When working with your campfire, use protective gloves.
  • Make sure you’re aware of any local rules regarding the usage of a fire pit.
  • Read and follow the directions in the handbook that came with your fire pit.
  • Place the campfire away from your home, garage, or outhouse, and away from overhanging branches, electrical lines, or a power source. It has to be kept in a well-ventilated space.
  • Keep youngsters away from fire pits and don’t leave the fire unattended.
  • On windy days, avoid using your campfire.
  • To begin, just use suggested fire starters and keep your flame size minimal.
  • When you’re done, be sure to properly extinguish the fire.
  • If your firepit has a lid, close it after the fire is extinguished.
  • Clean up the area surrounding your campfire on a regular basis.
  • Keep anything flammable away from your campfire.
  • To avoid any obstructions, clean the fire pit and burners on a regular basis.
  • Do not use your campfire if you smell gas near it. Check for gas leaks, and if you can’t stop the leak, contact the gas company or the fire department.

The most crucial element of having a gas fire pit is fire safety, so if you have young children or pets, or are unfamiliar with managing flames, take additional steps to avoid unintentional injury or death.

Last Thoughts

Lava rocks offer a few benefits over other ornamental ways for gas fire pits when it comes to how to utilize them for a fire pit. Because lava rocks are made of lava, they have a high heat tolerance, making them ideal for use directly in a fire, particularly in flames ignited with gas. A layer of lava rocks in your gas fire pit also works as a protective layer for the lighter components of the fire pit.

Overall, lava rocks for gas fire pits are a safe and rustic aesthetic option! We hope you found our guide on using lava rocks for a fire pit useful!

The “large lava rocks for fire pit” is a trend that will be popular in the future. It’s a great way to make your yard design stand out from the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you arrange lava rocks on a gas fire pit?

A: On the gas fire pit, you locate the grill and set it on top of a lava rock. Then aim your burner at the grate where there is already some lit coal or wood in order to heat up every which way. You then place more fuel onto each side until they are full.

Can I use lava rock in my propane fire pit?

A: Yes, you can use lava rock in your propane fire pit. The only issue that might arise is if the rocks are too soft and break easily when put into a flame which would cause some pieces to become dangerous shrapnel due to their shape

Are lava rocks good for fire pits?

A: Yes, lava rocks are very good for a fire pit. Some people like to set them on the ground and then light them up with a lighter or match since they’ll stay lit forever once lit.

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