Gas Fire Pit Maintenance: Glass, Burner and Drain Care

Keep debris off the burner, rinse fire glass or lava rock a few times a year and let it dry completely, clear the burner ports and air intake, keep the drain holes open, and cover the pit when it is not in use. Most ignition problems on fire pits come from wet media, clogged ports, insect nests or weak batteries.

Key points

Never light a fire pit with wet media or water sitting in the pan. Let it dry fully first.
Fire glass soot is normal and rinses off with water. Lava rock should be shaken out and dried, not scrubbed.
Spiders and wasps nest in burner ports, pilot tubes and air intakes, especially in spring.
Keep the pan's drain holes clear so rain does not pool around the burner and valve.
Do not burn wood, paper or trash in a gas fire pit.

How a gas fire pit gets dirty

A gas fire pit is a burner ring or H-burner sitting in a pan, covered by fire glass, lava rock or ceramic logs, with a valve and ignition system underneath. Most of the problems we fix on fire pits come down to what lands in that pan: leaves, dirt, rain, pool chemicals, kids' toys, and insects. Debris and water around the burner cause weak flames, sooty glass, slow or failed lighting, and rust in the pan and valve box.

The good news is that fire pit upkeep is mostly cleaning and keeping water out.

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Most companies in our network are dealers or have dealer accounts, so they can usually bring the right part and install it in one visit.

What you need

Work gloves (fire glass can have sharp edges)
A bucket and a plastic colander or mesh laundry bag you will not use for anything else
Garden hose
Shop vac
Soft brush or old toothbrush and a paper clip or thin wire
Can of compressed air
A cover that fits your pit
Fresh batteries if your pit uses a battery spark igniter

Before every use

Clear leaves, pine needles and trash off the media. Do not just light it and let them burn off.
Look for standing water. If the media is wet or the pan has water in it, wait until it is dry.
Look at the burner area for webs if the pit has been sitting for a few weeks.
Keep anything flammable away from the flame, including cushions and umbrellas.

How to clean fire glass

Black film on fire glass is normal. It comes from flame contact during combustion, and white and clear glass show it the most. Water takes it off.

Turn off the gas at the valve and the supply shutoff and let the pit cool completely.
Wearing gloves, scoop the glass into a colander or mesh bag in small batches.
Rinse with a hose until the water runs clear. For stubborn film, soak in warm water with a little dish soap, then rinse well.
Spread the glass on a towel or tarp in the sun and let it dry completely. Water trapped in glass that heats unevenly can make it crack or pop.
While the pan is empty, vacuum out dust and broken bits and check the burner and drain holes.
Pour the glass back in gently. Do not pack it down.

A quick refresh between cleanings: stir the glass so the cleaner bottom layer ends up on top.

How to clean lava rock

Lava rock is porous and holds water like a sponge. That is the main thing to manage.

Remove the rock with gloves and shake or sift out the dust and small crumbs.
Rinse lightly with a hose if it is dirty. Skip soap, since it soaks in.
Dry it thoroughly in the sun for a day or two. Wet lava rock can steam and pop when it heats up.
Replace crumbled rock. It breaks down over time, and the fines clog burner ports.

Many installs use a layer of lava rock under fire glass to fill the pan. That is fine as long as the burner itself sits under the glass layer the way the manufacturer designed, and the rock is dry before you light it.

How deep should the media be?

Follow your burner manual. As a rule, the burner should be covered but not buried. Too much glass or rock over the ports chokes the flame, causes soot and delayed lighting, and can let gas collect under the media before it lights. Too little leaves the burner exposed. Keep the area around a spark electrode or pilot open as the manual shows, rather than covering it.

Clean the burner and ignition

Do this at least twice a year, and more often in spider season.

Gas off, pit cool.
Move the media away from the burner.
Brush the burner ports with a soft brush. Clear blocked ports with a paper clip, but do not enlarge them.
Blow out the ports and the air intake or air mixer with compressed air. Lint and webs in the air intake cause soot and lazy yellow flames.
Wipe the spark electrode or pilot hood clean and check that the wire is not cracked or chewed.
On battery spark igniters, replace the AA or AAA battery once a season.
Put the media back and test light.

If the pit still will not light after this, our guide on a fire pit that won't light goes through the next steps. If it lights but burns small, see fire pit low flame.

Keep the drain working

The pan should have drain holes, and the base or enclosure should let water out. When rain pools around the burner and valve, water gets into the burner tubes, the igniter shorts out and the valve corrodes.

Clear the drain holes when you clean the media.
Make sure the enclosure has weep holes or a gravel base and is not sitting in a puddle.
Keep sprinklers from soaking the pit.
After heavy rain, let the pit dry for a day before lighting, or run it on low only after the media is visibly dry.

If your fire pit fills with water every storm, the enclosure was built without drainage. A fire pit repair pro can usually add drainage or raise the pan.

Covers

A cover keeps out leaves, rain and critters. Use one sized to your pit. Only put it on when the pit is completely cool. For built-in pits, a burner cover or a hard lid works well. Our covers cost guide has typical prices.

Rust and finish care

Stainless burners and pans can still rust near pools and the coast. Rinse off chlorine and salt spray every few weeks, and dry the surfaces. Powder-coated and concrete tables just need a damp cloth and mild soap. Check the access door and the valve box for rust or water stains once a season.

Leak check once a year

With the gas on and the pit off, brush a 50/50 mix of dish soap and water on the accessible fittings, hose and regulator. Growing bubbles mean a leak. Shut off the gas and call a pro. For propane pits, check the hose for cracks and the tank connection seal. If you smell gas strongly, shut off the supply if you can do it safely, keep flames and sparks away, and call the gas utility or 911 from a safe spot.

Mistakes we see

Burning wood, paper or trash in a gas pit. It clogs the burner and can damage the valve.
Lighting with wet glass or rock.
Swapping in random river rock, which can trap water and fracture.
Burying the burner under extra glass to make it look fuller.
Enlarging burner ports or orifices to get a bigger flame. If the flame is small, the cause is usually the supply, a regulator or a clog.

When to call a pro

Call when the valve sticks, the pilot or thermocouple keeps dropping out, the igniter clicks but never lights, the burner is cracked or rusted through, or you smell gas. A yearly service is worth it on built-in pits, and our fire pit repair cost guide covers typical prices. You can book fire pit cleaning and service in our network, and most of those companies carry dealer accounts so they can bring burners, thermocouples and igniters for your unit. Part prices are in our fire pit parts cost guide.

Before ordering parts, find the model and the burner size. Brands like Warming Trends and The Outdoor Plus usually put a label on the burner, the valve box or under the access panel. If you cannot find a part, ask Pro Grill to source it. For valves and ignition parts, stick with OEM. Find a fire pit pro by ZIP.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get black soot off fire glass?

Rinse it with water, or soak it in warm water with a little dish soap and rinse. Let it dry completely before putting it back. Soot is normal from flame contact.

Can I leave my gas fire pit uncovered in the rain?

It will survive, but rain fills the pan, soaks lava rock and corrodes the burner and valve. Use a cover, keep the drain holes clear, and never light it while the media is wet.

Why does my lava rock pop or crack?

Lava rock is porous and holds water. When it heats, that water turns to steam and can crack the rock. Dry it fully before lighting and replace crumbling pieces.

How often should a gas fire pit be cleaned?

Clear debris before each use, clean the media and burner at least twice a year, and more often in spider season or if the pit sits near trees or a pool.

Can I burn wood in my gas fire pit?

No. Gas fire pits are not built for wood. Ash and embers clog the burner and can damage the valve and ignition.

Gas Fire Pit Maintenance: Cleaning Fire Glass, Lava Rock, Burners and Drains