When installing fire glass in fire pits or fireplaces, there are many opinions as to what products or method to use. The FAQ’s below are simply our opinion based on past experiences. You may find other methods work best in your situation. For safety reasons, please keep these points in mind when installing fire glass in your fire pit or fireplace.
Can I use Exotic Glass in my fire pit or fireplace?
Exotic Glass is perfect for use in all natural gas or propane fire pits and fireplaces. Always refer to manufacturer instructions when considering fire glass in pre-assembled propane fire pits. Do not use Exotic Glass in wood burning fire applications!!
How much glass should I use in my fire pit or fireplace?
To calculate how much glass you will require, please click on the coverage calculator tool located on the home page and complete the required information. This will help you determine how many pounds of glass you will need to fill your fire pit or fireplace.
In a natural gas fire pit or fireplace, we recommend using 2″-3″ of glass to cover the burner.
In a propane fire pit or fireplace, we recommend using no more than 1″ of glass to cover the burner (see propane question).
How do you use fire glass?
You use fire glass as a filler to replace your outdated lava rocks or fake ceramic logs. Fire glass is a great way to spruce up your fireplace or fire pit with so color and creativity to match the rest of your current decor.
How long does fire glass last?
Fire glass is meant to withstand extreme temperatures, cracking, and color changing when used with proper gas. The proper gas to use with a fire glass pit is natural gas. You can still absolutely use propane as your fuel source, but be aware that the fire glass may be subject to discoloration and cracking with propane.
Does fire glass burn on its own?
Fire glass does not burn on its own. It needs a fuel source of either propane or natural gas. It is only used for decoration and is not flammable,
How do I light fire glass?
You light fire glass by first purchasing a good fireplace or fire pit burner from Exotic Pebbles and Glass that evenly distributes gas to the different sectors of the fire. Once the gas is turned on and the fire glass has been installed, hold an extended lighter next to the burner where gas is emitting from. If the gas is on and is coming out of the respected areas, the flame should ignite, lighting your fire glass fire pit.
Where to buy fire glass?
Use the link here to either find a local or online retailer of Exotic Fire Glass. We sell both our reflective and original fire glass in most Lowes locations, so contact your nearest location to make sure they carry it before stopping in.
Will the fire glass melt, emit toxic fumes or fade?
Exotic Glass will not melt, emit toxic fumes or fade if used correctly in fire applications less than 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. Natural gas burns cleaner than propane and for this reason, it is the recommended choice when using light colored glass. Propane gas may leave a residue that will slightly discolor the light colored glass if used in the direct flame. We recommend using only dark colored glass in the direct flame in propane fire applications.
Why is natural gas preferred over propane?
Natural gas is the preferred choice as it burns cleaner and produces less carbon or soot build-up. Propane is also heavier than natural gas and therefore sinks beneath the burner surface rather than mixing in the air above the burner. A buildup of propane may cause flare-ups or combustion under the surface, which may result in the glass cracking and popping.
We suggest using an LP converter (air inducer / mixer) when using propane, which allows air to mix with the gas prior to burning. This allows the propane to become lighter and remain above the surface rather than sinking. We also recommend using a pan burner system when building your propane fire pit to prevent the propane from sinking beneath the surface.
What size glass should I use in my fire pit or fireplace?
We recommend using fire glass no larger than 1″ in size, particularly in the direct flame of your fire application. During the manufacturing process, air bubbles can form within the glass. The larger the piece of glass, the more air bubble concealed beneath the surface. As the glass heats up, these air bubble trap heat and over time, cause the glass the crack and pop.
When using Recycled Fire Glass, we recommend using either small (1/4″-1/2″) or medium (1/2″-1″) size glass. Reflective Fire Glass Collection is not available in any size other than 1/4″.
What is the difference between Recycled Glass and Tempered Reflective Glass?
Recycled fire glass is manufactured using 100% post industrial window scraps and glass bottles purchased from various sources and re-melted and re-processes using specially designed furnaces. Each color has a uniquely formulated cooking recipe, which produces consistently vibrant colored glass. Once the cooking & cooling process is complete, the glass is crushed, sized and to remove sharp edges.
Recycled fire glass can also be used in landscape projects, water features, aquariums and floral arrangements. The options for recycled glass are endless, just use your imagination!!
Reflective fire glass is sourced from broken tempered glass panels and has a mirror finish on one side, creating a brilliant yet elegant look in any fire application. Unlike recycled fire glass, reflective fire glass can have sharp edges therefore we do not recommend using in other applications.
Please NOTE……… Do not believe other companies who may claim their fire glass is specially tempered and manufactured for fire use. The process of tempering glass is not specific to the manufacturing of fire glass. The tempering process increases glass strength and is most commonly used for side and rear windows in automobiles. One of the characteristic of tempered glass is its ability to shatter into small pieces when broken rather than large shards.
When building an outdoor fire pit, to reduce the amount of fire glass needed, what can I use as an alternative base filler?
When building a natural gas fire pit, a great way to save money and limit the amount of fire glass you will need is to use a less expensive base filler material. To fill the gap between the fire ring and the bottom of the fire pit we recommend using sand or Exotic Glass Base Filler to achieve this result. DO NOT use lava rock, lava pebbles, rocks / pebbles or any other porous material UNDER the fire glass.
When building a propane fire pit, follow the same advice as listed above for natural gas but we HIGHLY recommend using a pan burner system to prevent the propane from sinking to the bottom of the pit.
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If you have any questions or need any assistance with your fire project, we are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact us or send an email to [email protected]