Fire Pit Burner Pans

A burner pan sits inside your fire pit, fire table or fire feature and holds the burner and fire media in place. Our burner pans are made from 16 gauge stainless steel, with an opening for a pilot burner, in round, square and rectangle shapes for custom gas installations. Whether you are building a new fire feature or replacing the pan in an existing one, choosing the right pan type and size makes installation easier and gives the finished fire a clean, even look.

Flat or Drop-In Burner Pans

Flat burner pans rest on a support structure that you build or supply inside the fire feature. They suit enclosures where you can add ledges, brackets or a frame for the pan to sit on, and they are a common choice for masonry and custom-built fire pits.

Drop-in burner pans have a depth of 2.5" and a 1" flange all the way around, so they support themselves inside the opening they are installed in. Because of the flange, the outer dimension of a drop-in pan is 2" larger than its nominal size; for example, an 18" round drop-in pan measures 20" across the flange. The opening in your fire feature should be no more than 1" larger than the pan dimensions so the flange has enough surface to rest on.

How to Choose the Right Size

Start by measuring the inside of your fire feature where the pan will sit. For a drop-in pan, measure the opening itself. Then think about the burner you plan to use and how much flame you want: larger pans take larger burners with a higher BTU output. Each product page lists the available sizes, the outer dimensions for drop-in pans, and the fire media capacity for each size, so you can also plan how much fire glass, lava rock or rolled lava stone you need.

Ventilation and Drainage

Good ventilation and drainage are essential for any enclosed gas fire feature, and they help protect both the pan and the ignition components.

• Natural gas is lighter than air, so any unburned gas rises and can collect under the burner pan. Fire by Design recommends allowing it to escape, for example with a vent gap around the edge of the pan or with small vent holes in the pan.
• Liquid propane is heavier than air and settles at the bottom of the enclosure. Vent holes near the bottom of the enclosure, or raising the enclosure slightly off its base, allow it to escape.
• Drainage must be provided so rain water can leave the enclosure, either through holes in the bottom or sides or by raising the enclosure off the mounting surface.

For the 6"-wide rectangle drop-in pans, Fire by Design requires ventilation in the structure to prevent the pan from warping, and states that the warranty is void without it.

Fire Media Tips

Fire glass or lava rock improves both the look and the performance of a fire feature, because it spreads the gas evenly as it rises through the media. Fire by Design recommends no more than 2" of media above the burner, lava rock no larger than 2" in diameter, and only fire glass approved for use in fire features. Never cover the pilot burner completely: the top of the pilot burner cover should stay visible so the pilot can draw enough air to light.

Burner Pans or a Complete Kit?

Burner pans are sold as the pan only. If you also need a burner and ignition system, take a look at our Gas Fire Pit Burner Kits, which combine the pan, burner, ignition system and gas line in one package, or browse Burners & Ignition Systems to build your own setup. Fire by Design stainless steel burner pans are covered by a 5-year manufacturer warranty.

Installation must be performed by a qualified, locally licensed gas professional. If you are unsure which pan fits your project, contact us before ordering and we will help you choose.