Specialty Fire Pit Burners

Distinctive burner shapes from The Outdoor Plus, from star and triangle burners to fish eye designs, decorative burners and replacement burners, sold as the burner only. For when you want your fire feature's flame to stand out.

Burners With a Signature Look

When a standard ring or rectangle isn't the look you're after, a specialty burner gives your fire feature a flame pattern that becomes part of the design. These burners work in custom fire pits and fire tables, and some are made as replacement burners for specific The Outdoor Plus fire pits.

Burner Styles in This Collection

• Star and Triple 'S' Star burners – star-shaped layouts for a striking flame pattern.
• Triangle burner – for triangular and corner fire features.
• Fish Eye and Double Fish Eye burners – eye-shaped flame outlines for rectangular features.
• Half Moon, Lotus, Lotus Flower and Fire Tree burners – decorative designs for a sculptural flame.
• Bird's Nest – a steel nest with a stainless steel round burner.
• Whitney and Dixie replacement burners – replacement burners for The Outdoor Plus Whitney and Dixie fire pits.

Sizing a Burner to Your Fire Pit

Measure the interior of your pan or fire pit, not the outside of the enclosure. With a specialty shape, make sure the whole outline of the burner fits inside the opening with space around it. Leave open space between the burner and the pan walls: it gives the flame room to draw in air and keeps it from hitting the sides. As a reference, The Outdoor Plus kits typically pair a burner about 6" smaller than the pan, such as a 24" burner in a 30" pan.

Plan the Gas Supply First

The BTU rating tells you how much gas a burner needs to reach its full flame. The Outdoor Plus star burner, for example, is rated at 90,000 BTU at 12" and 300,000 BTU at 36". Every product page lists the BTU rating and gas inlet size wherever The Outdoor Plus publishes them.

A burner can only perform as well as the gas line feeding it. Pipe diameter sets how much gas can reach the burner, a long run from the meter or tank reduces pressure, and every fitting and elbow adds restriction. An undersized line is the most common reason a burner never reaches its full flame height. Share the BTU rating with your gas professional so they can confirm the pipe size, regulator and supply before installation.

What Else You'll Need

Our individual burners are sold as the burner only. To complete the installation you'll also need a pan or burner support, an ignition system and gas connections. Our Fire Pit Ignition Systems collection includes The Outdoor Plus 30DC Low Voltage Electronic Ignition System, the 30DC Plug & Play Electronic Ignition System and the Flame Sense Valve with Push-Button Spark Ignition. If you'd rather have everything matched for you, our Gas Fire Pit Burner Kits combine pan, burner and ignition in one package.

Choosing an Ignition System

Match lit systems are the simplest, with no electrical requirement. Flame sense systems add a safety valve that shuts off the gas if the flame goes out, and push-button spark ignition removes the need for matches. Electronic ignition lets you control the fire from a switch, timer or home automation system. Think about how often you'll use the fire and where it sits: long or built-in features are easier to light with spark or electronic ignition.

Natural Gas or Propane

Natural gas and liquid propane are not interchangeable. Propane is supplied at a different pressure and burns differently, so the gas components are set up for the fuel you choose when you order. Propane installations typically use an air mixer at the burner inlet to burn cleanly; without the right setup, propane can produce a lazy yellow flame and soot on the media. If you are not sure which setup your project needs, contact us before ordering.

Ventilation and Drainage

A fire pit enclosure needs ventilation so that gas cannot collect inside the cavity. Place vents on opposite sides of the enclosure so air can flow through. Propane is heavier than air and settles at the bottom, so propane installations need vents low on the enclosure; natural gas is lighter than air and rises, so vents belong near the top. Follow the vent requirements in The Outdoor Plus installation instructions and your local code.

Water is the other thing to plan for. Rain filters down through the fire glass or lava rock, so the pan's drain holes and the base of your enclosure need a path for water to escape. Standing water around the burner and gas components can cause corrosion and uneven lighting. Clearing media dust from the drain holes is a quick seasonal check.

Finishing With Fire Glass or Lava Rock

Fire media hides the burner, spreads the gas for a natural-looking flame and gives the fire pit its finished appearance. Cover the burner evenly, following the depth in the installation instructions: too little media leaves the burner visible, while too much restricts the flame and can turn it yellow. Shop our fire glass and lava rock to finish your build. Fire media is sold separately.

Professional Installation

All gas fire features must be installed by a qualified, locally licensed gas professional, following The Outdoor Plus installation instructions and your local building codes. Keep the clearances to combustible materials listed in the instructions, and do not build a gas fire pit directly under an awning, pergola or other overhead structure.

Need Help Choosing?

Not sure which specialty burner suits your fire feature? Send us your interior opening dimensions, fuel type and gas line size, and we'll help you confirm the right size, burner and ignition before you order. Simply contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions