How to Use Lava Rocks for a Fire Pit + Gas Fire Pits: Yard Design in 2023 (2024)

FAQs

How to Use Lava Rocks for a Fire Pit + Gas Fire Pits: Yard Design in 2023? ›

Lava rocks are easy to maintain and give your fire pit a clean, modern look. Build a layer of 4-5 inches of lava rock within your fire pit. Then layer with wood, if that is your fuel of choice. If you are using gas, the entire fire pit can be filled with lava rock (or at least enough to cover the fire ring).

How Much Do I Need? The rule of thumb here is that, lava rock gives you twice the volume per pound as fire glass. So if you fire pit requires 40 lbs of fire glass to fill it, it will only require 20 lbs of lava rock.

Lava Glass & Lava Rocks: Lava rocks are made out of basalt. While they are highly porous, that becomes a benefit for basalt in a firepit. Liquid and gas can easily flow through these rocks, meaning they don't tend to hold on to moisture long.

If burning wood, place a layer of lava rock at least 4-5 inches deep. Then place your firewood on the lava rock. For gas fires, fill the fire pit with enough lava rock to at least cover the fire ring. Do not use rock or gravel of any kind in place of lava rock; it can potentially explode when heated.

If your burner is the type that is meant to be fully covered with lava rock, it should be no more than half an inch below the lava rock. If you have the crossfire burner with jets they need to be left exposed or you can position the lava rock in a way that the air intake on the side of the jet is unobstructed.

Depending on how often your fireplace is enjoyed, the lava rocks will need to be replaced every 1-2 years. Alternatively, fire glass will last for a much longer time than lava rock.

Fire glass and lava rock, should only be used with units that utilize natural gas or propane. Never use either in a wood burning fireplace. Here are some tips, to keep the media in your gas fireplace or insert working well for years to come.

What do you put in the bottom of a fire pit? You'll want to start with a layer of sand at the bottom of the pit, and then top the sand with gravel, lava rocks, fire pit glass, paving stones or even bricks for your fire pit. Alternatively, you can simply use dirt.

Can lava rock be used for propane fire pit? ›

Natural volcanic lava rocks are excellent base layers and cost-effective fillers for gas fire pits and fireplaces. Fire glass, ceramic balls and other decorative fire pit products can be added on top of the fire rock for effect.

An inch of sand at the bottom of a metal fire pit can help to protect the bowl from the intense heat of the fire. Whether your fire pit is portable or permanent, having sand at the bottom is a handy precaution. If you ever need to smother the fire in a hurry, you can grab a nearby shovel to use the sand.

Adding moss or soil to the lava rock helps with drainage, which can help prevent roots from getting stuck. Stone Borders – If you're looking to add color to gardens and walkways, you can use lava rocks to create a natural stone border.

And lava rock is the perfect home for beneficial bacteria that will help process fish wastes, improving your water quality. But, lava rock should be cleaned and sterilized before it's put in your tank to make sure harmful bacteria don't hitch a ride into your aquarium.

Yes, you should cover the burner — but only with just enough fire glass so that it's not visible. This is especially true if you're using a propane fire feature, since propane is heavier than air and needs to be dispersed close to the flame.

Does a Gas Fire Pit Need a Cover? Although rekindling flames and stray embers are unlikely with gas firepits, a protective cover is still ideal to protect it from rain and other outdoor elements.

Fire rocks are used in natural gas fireplaces or in natural gas or propane burning fire pits. It may be used as the main fuel distributor or as padding for fire glass to go on top. Fire rocks are proven to increase combustion efficiency and maintain a desirable aesthetic quality.

AMERICAN GAS LOG's Sand helps to enhance the overall flame pattern by allowing the gas to spread more evenly, thus creating a more realistic flame pattern. Sand is intended to be used in the bottom of the Natural Gas burner to help disburse the flame pattern for added realism.

Specifically, most of the lava rock in the US is mined from ancient volcanos out west, from places like Utah, New Mexico, California, Colorado and other states. And, lava rocks are extremely old. In fact, the lava rocks around your palm tree may have come from a 20,000-year-old volcanic eruption.

So, do gas grills still need lava rocks? Nope! Your gas grill comes equipped with heat plates that perform the critical job of vaporizing juices resulting in barbecued flavour. In fact, using them could end up damaging your grill's components.

What is the difference between red and black lava rock? ›

The basaltic lava starts out black, but oxidation of iron during eruption and emplacement of the scoria turns it red.

It's not only illegal to take lava rocks from Hawaii, but it's also considered bad luck. Known as Pele's Curse, taking lava rocks from the islands is said to bring bad luck and misfortune upon the thief. So if you're planning on visiting the islands anytime soon, leave the rocks behind and enjoy your vacation!

You can also use it to retain soil moisture and control erosion. This single bag of small size lava rock will cover 3 sq. ft. to a 2-in. depth.

Recommended Depth Rule: The rule of thumb with rock is to install a rock atleast twice the size of the rock not going any less than 2" deep when using small rocks. With a 3/4" rock, the minimum recommended depth would be 2" deep. Going less will likely show the bare ground beneath the rock.

Fire glass is a better choice than lava rock if you want to add color, sparkle, and sophistication to your gas fire feature.

Granite is suited for gas or wood fireplaces. Since granite is a very popular type of stone, there are hundreds of unique colours and patterns to choose from. The versatility and durability of granite makes it a great choice for any fireplace surround, no matter the setting.

Perhaps the most popular option for a fireplace surround, granite is one of the most durable materials you can buy. It's extremely scratch resistant, unlikely to crack or chip, and it has good heat tolerance. Granite is suitable for gas or wood burning fireplaces.

In order to create the safest, most functional ventilation system for your fire pit, install cross ventilation. To do this, place two vents on opposite sides of the fire pit to allow various exit points for heat and gas. Without multiple vents, gas can still get trapped on one side due to poor airflow.

For best results, your gravel patio fire pit area should be constructed with at least 4” gravel. We recommend ¾” clean crushed limestone based on both the drainage and support it provides.

Besides the classical red/brown lava rock, we will dive in other alternative materials used for fire pits with similar accents such as the black lava rock, black lava glass or obsidian, reflective fire glass, natural fire glass and landscape glass.

What is the best stone for outdoor fire pit? ›

Sandstone or river rocks are porous, wet stones that can crack at high temperatures, while hard rocks such as slate, marble, or granite are better heat-resistant options for your outdoor fire pit.

Placing an even amount of sand towards the bottom of your fire pit will create an entire layer of additional heat protection. Sand can act as a buffer between the wood or fuel you use in your fire and the bottom of your firepit, preventing it from burning or charring over time.

In short, fire pits need air holes to work properly. The best place to locate air holes is on the lower third of the pit's surface area to help draw the cool air into the pit from below.

Douse the remaining fire with water

Heat from the fire will turn the water to scalding hot steam that can burn you or anyone else nearby. As you pour water on the flames, you may hear sputtering or sizzling sounds. You'll want to keep adding water until these sounds have stopped entirely.

Lava rock makes an attractive, long-lasting inorganic mulch that doesn't degrade over time. Although lava rock can provide some weed suppression, when the rock is used alone, some types of weeds can still sprout in the soil beneath. The best defense against weeds growing in lava rock is landscape fabric.

With traditional use, lava rocks should last for about two years before replacements are required because of the build-up of grease, which can affect flavor, as well as the natural deterioration of the lava rocks from frequent heating and cooling after use.

Lava rock can be very rough on paws and can even cause tiny cuts that can get infected. Some dogs, for some reason, also like to eat lava rocks which can really mess up their intestines and digestive system so it's best not to use lava rock.

No, lava rock does not attract termites.

Try Out White Vinegar

Another natural weed killer for rocks is white vinegar. The acetic acid will burn the foliage and kill weeds in your rock bed within hours. To kill the weeds, spray undiluted 5% household white vinegar directly on the weeds. Make sure they are completely saturated.

Do lava rocks eliminate odors? ›

The Gonzo Odor Eliminating Volcanic Rocks is a natural way to absorb odors and freshen the air using activated zeolite. Zeolite is formed over millions of years as volcanic ash slowly changed and crystallized when exposed to alkaline water.

Eventually, with exposure to the elements, the color of the rock turns to black. As older lava flows weather, the minerals in the rocks oxidize and often turn to clay minerals. The once shiny rock becomes dull and cloudy, or the glassy surface breaks and falls away to expose the dull interior.

Low maintenance – Unlike organic mulch, lava rock does not disintegrate or decompose. It lasts a very long time and requires almost no maintenance. Add it in your yard and forget about it. You don't even have to worry about replacing it for a while.

Calculator for Square or Rectangle Fire Pit

Diameter X Diameter X Depth, divided by 24 = pounds of sand needed. We recommend a minimum 2” of material depth for most installations. For example, a 25" diameter fire pit at the recommended 2” of sand depth: 25 X 25 X 2, divided by 24 = 52 lbs.

Lava Rock is typically a deep red, maroon, or black colored pumice-like material. It is very light, weighing approximately 1,300-1,500 pounds per cubic yard. Alternatively, 1 ton equals approximately 1.33 to 1.53 cubic yards.

Consider a ½ cubic foot bag of stone or soil weighs about 50 lbs and will cover 2 square feet at 3" deep.

Landscape designers recommend using a mixture of different sizes to add more depth to the yard. You can opt for rocks ranging from 2 to 4 inches for mulch around trees and shrubs. For the area around plants and flower beds, use rocks 1 to 2 inches in size.

With traditional use, lava rocks should last for about two years before replacements are required because of the build-up of grease, which can affect flavor, as well as the natural deterioration of the lava rocks from frequent heating and cooling after use.

To prevent your lava rocks from sinking into the ground, you should use fabric that will keep them on the ground surface, such as landscape fabric or perforated fabric.

How much area does a yard of lava rock cover? ›

1 cubic yard covers 160 square feet at 2" depth.

Using silica sand is highly advisable when placing the sand at the bottom of a fire pit for an additional layer of heat protection. Silica sand is also known as the most affordable type of sand available for purchase, making it optimal for those who enjoy plenty of fire year-round.

You can choose to use dirt as the base of your firepit. You can also add a layer of sand and then a fireproof material. Gravel, Lava rocks, fire pit glass or silica, paving stones, or bricks are all safe options.