What Are Fire Pit Fire Balls?
Fire balls are ceramic or refractory concrete spheres that sit in the burner pan of a gas fire pit. As the flame rises between them, they glow and give your fire pit a clean, modern look that traditional logs and lava rock can't match. Fire balls made for outdoor use are built to handle rain, temperature swings, and UV exposure, so they hold their shape and color season after season.
Fire balls come in a range of sizes, commonly 3 to 6 inches across, and in finishes from matte white and charcoal to earth tones and metallic glazes. Always choose fire balls made specifically for gas fire features. Decorative spheres that aren't rated for direct flame can crack or crumble when heated.
How to Arrange Fire Balls in a Gas Fire Pit
Most fire pits use a base layer of lava rock or fire glass to cover the burner before the fire balls go on top. The base layer spreads the gas evenly, hides the burner, and gives the flame a consistent bed to rise through. Follow your burner manufacturer's guidelines for how much media to place over the burner.
When you add the fire balls, avoid setting any sphere directly on top of a burner port. A fire ball sitting over a port traps gas underneath it, which leads to uneven flames and soot buildup. Place the spheres in the gaps between ports so the gas can flow up and around them.
Leave room for air to move, too. Packing fire balls of the same size tightly together closes off the gaps the flame needs and can produce a lazy, smoky fire. For the best results, mix two sizes: place the larger spheres first, then fill in the gaps with smaller ones.
How Many Fire Balls Do You Need?
To estimate a single layer, divide the length of your burner pan by the diameter of your fire balls, do the same for the width, and multiply the two numbers. For example, a 24 x 12 inch burner pan with 4-inch fire balls needs about 6 x 3 = 18 spheres for one layer. For a round burner pan, use the diameter as both the length and the width, then subtract a few spheres to account for the curved edges.
If you want a fuller, stacked look, plan on roughly a third more spheres to start a partial second layer. Many fire ball sets also list a recommended burner size, which makes it easy to match a set to your fire pit. If you're not sure, measure your burner pan and contact our NFI-certified team for help.
Mixing Fire Balls with Other Fire Media
Fire balls look great on their own, but combining them with other fire media lets you create a custom look. A bed of reflective fire glass under and between the spheres adds sparkle and catches the flame light, even during the day. Lava rock is an economical way to fill deep burner pans, so you need fewer fire balls on top. If you prefer a transitional style, pair fire balls with a few ceramic fire pit logs for a blend of modern and rustic.
Protecting Your Fire Balls
A little protection keeps your fire balls looking new. On windy patios, a glass wind guard keeps the flame steady and centered, which prevents soot from building up on one side of the arrangement. Between uses, a metal burner cover keeps rain and debris out of the burner pan, and a soft cover protects the entire fire pit in the off-season.
