Do I need a burner pan for my gas fire pit?

Most custom gas fire pits use a burner pan. It holds the burner and fire media in place, keeps the media contained around the flame, and gives the top of the fire pit a clean, finished look. Some pre-built fire pits and fire tables come with a pan already installed, so check your fire pit's details if you're replacing parts.

Can I buy a burner pan without a burner?

Yes. Many of our pans are sold as pan only, so you can pair them with a burner you already have or choose a burner separately. If you're starting from scratch, a pan with the burner included gives you a matched set that's ready to install.

How much fire media will I need with a burner pan?

A drop-in pan creates a false bottom inside your fire pit, so you only need enough fire media to fill the pan, not the whole enclosure. Most burners need about two to four inches of media covering them, so the depth of the pan and the size of the burner will determine how much you need. Follow your burner manufacturer's guidelines.

Does a burner pan replace the need for ventilation?

No. A burner pan holds your burner and media, but it doesn't vent the enclosure below. If your fire pit runs on propane or the enclosure is closed on all sides, it still needs vents so leaked gas can escape. Propane is heavier than air and can collect at the bottom of a closed space.

Are Spotix burner pans made in the USA?

Yes. Our Spotix-brand flat burner pans are made from heavy-duty stainless steel at a machine shop in Solon, Iowa. We also carry burner pans from HPC Fire, American Fire Products, Warming Trends, and Dagan.

Gas Fire Pit Burner Pans

A burner pan holds your gas fire pit burner and fire media in place and gives your fire feature a clean, finished look. Shop drop-in and flat pans in round, square, and linear shapes, sold as pan only or with the burner included.

What Does a Burner Pan Do?

The burner pan sits in the top of your fire pit enclosure and holds the burner, the fire media, and the gas connection together in one unit. It supports the weight of the media, keeps it contained around the burner, and gives the flame a clean, finished frame. Many pans also create a false bottom in a deep enclosure, so you need less fire glass or lava rock to fill it.

Drop-In Pans vs. Flat Pans

Drop-in pans have a raised lip around the edge. You set the pan into the opening of your fire pit, and the lip rests on the top surface to hold it in place, while the body of the pan hangs inside. Drop-in pans are easy to install and remove, and their depth gives you room for fire media.

Flat pans, sometimes called burner plates, are flat sheets that sit on a ledge or support built inside your fire pit enclosure. They're a good choice for custom masonry builds where you want the pan set lower inside the opening or need a specific size and shape.

How to Measure for a Burner Pan

For a drop-in pan, measure the opening in the top of your fire pit, then compare it with the pan's outer lip dimensions, not just the body. The body needs to fit through the opening while the lip rests securely on the surface around it. For a flat pan, measure the inside of the enclosure where the pan will sit, and make sure there's a ledge or support underneath to hold it. Then confirm the pan is large enough for your burner, with room around it for fire media. Product pages list the pan, lip, and opening dimensions so you can compare.

Round, Square, Rectangular, and Linear Burner Pans

Choose a pan shape that matches your burner and the look you want. Round pans and bowl pans suit ring and round burners in circular fire pits. Square and rectangular pans pair with square and H-style burners. Linear trough pans fit long, narrow burners for a modern, contemporary flame.

Burner Pan Materials

Most of our burner pans are made from 304 stainless steel, which resists rust and holds up to high heat and outdoor weather. Some models also come with an oil-rubbed bronze finish for a warmer look. Warming Trends pans and plates are made from tempered aluminum, a lightweight, corrosion-resistant option. Our Spotix-brand flat pans are made from heavy-duty stainless steel at a machine shop in Solon, Iowa.

Drainage Matters

Rain and sprinkler water will find their way into an outdoor fire pit. Burner pans with weep holes let that water drain away instead of pooling around the burner, which helps protect the burner and gas components and keeps your fire media from staying wet. Look for drainage holes when you compare pans, and make sure the enclosure below can drain as well.

Pan Only or Burner Included

You can buy a burner pan on its own to pair with a burner you already have, or choose a pan with the burner included for a ready-to-install setup. If you're building a new fire pit, a complete gas fire pit kit bundles the pan, burner, and ignition system together.

For Fabricators and Custom Builders

Fabricators and custom builders need burner pans that fit their enclosures and burners the first time. SpotixPRO gives trade buyers pricing with no minimums on round, square, and linear burner pans, and our NFI-certified team can help you pair pans, burners, and ignition systems for each build.

Need Help Choosing a Burner Pan?

Not sure whether you need a drop-in or flat pan, or which size fits your enclosure? Send our NFI-certified team your opening dimensions and burner size, and we'll help you find the right match. Enjoy free shipping on qualifying orders over $99.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a burner pan for my gas fire pit?
Most custom gas fire pits use a burner pan. It holds the burner and fire media in place, keeps the media contained around the flame, and gives the top of the fire pit a clean, finished look. Some pre-built fire pits and fire tables come with a pan already installed, so check your fire pit's details if you're replacing parts.
Can I buy a burner pan without a burner?
Yes. Many of our pans are sold as pan only, so you can pair them with a burner you already have or choose a burner separately. If you're starting from scratch, a pan with the burner included gives you a matched set that's ready to install.
How much fire media will I need with a burner pan?
A drop-in pan creates a false bottom inside your fire pit, so you only need enough fire media to fill the pan, not the whole enclosure. Most burners need about two to four inches of media covering them, so the depth of the pan and the size of the burner will determine how much you need. Follow your burner manufacturer's guidelines.
Does a burner pan replace the need for ventilation?
No. A burner pan holds your burner and media, but it doesn't vent the enclosure below. If your fire pit runs on propane or the enclosure is closed on all sides, it still needs vents so leaked gas can escape. Propane is heavier than air and can collect at the bottom of a closed space.
Are Spotix burner pans made in the USA?
Yes. Our Spotix-brand flat burner pans are made from heavy-duty stainless steel at a machine shop in Solon, Iowa. We also carry burner pans from HPC Fire, American Fire Products, Warming Trends, and Dagan.