Gas fire pits are some of the most popular backyard features. It’s no wonder why they’re so common, as they’re affordable, easy to set up, and can add a touch of warmth and elegance to any outdoor space. But one question that often arises is whether you can use marbles in a gas fire pit to contain the heat content.
You can use marbles in a gas fire pit because they are hard and dense enough to withstand high temperatures. Moreover, they are non-porous, so they won’t absorb any water or moisture from the fire pit.
In this article, I’ll discuss the types of marbles and how to choose the right ones for your gas fire pit. Furthermore, I’ll cover the pros and cons of using marbles in your gas fire pit. Keep reading to learn more!
Types of Gas Fire Pit Marbles
Gas fire pit marbles are specially designed for use in gas fire pits. Thus, you can use them without worrying that they’ll melt or explode due to the high temperatures. The University of Illinois discusses that marbles can withstand temperatures of up to 475°F (246.11°C).
There are two basic types of gas fire pit marbles:
- Recycled marble glass.
- Reflective glass marble.
Recycled Marble Glass
Recycled marble glass is made from post-consumer glass. That means it’s been used before and then melted down and reformed into new marbles. These marbles are usually transparent or translucent.
These marbles display different colors for decorative purposes in the fire pit. The colors mean that the marbles underwent a beautification process after melting.
Reflective Glass Marble
Reflective glass marble is made of glass that contains metal oxide and a tempered glass panel. This gives the marble a reflective metallic sheen.
It’s worth noting that these types of gas fire pit marbles have rough edges. Therefore, you should be careful when putting them into your fire pit to prevent injuries.
Reasons To Use Marbles in Your Gas Fire Pit
According to the National Library of Medicine, there was an increase of 7.16 per 100,000 in fire-pit-related burn injuries from 2006 to 2017. Such an increase illustrates the risk of using fire pits around your home. Therefore, it’s your responsibility to ensure safety for fire pit users and your property.
One way to secure your properties and loved ones from fire burn is using marble chips. Here are three reasons why:
- Marble is heat-resistant: As mentioned earlier, marble can withstand high temperatures. Thus, you don’t have to worry about the chips exploding due to the fire’s heat. Having a heat-resistant material as part of your fire pit means it’s safe for the entire family. You can use the fire pit with children without worrying about hurting them.
- Marble is non-toxic: Another advantage of using marble in your gas fire pit is that it’s non-toxic. That means no harmful chemicals or fumes are released when the chips are heated. As a result, you can use the gas fire pit without worrying about your family’s health being at risk.
- Marble is non-flammable: One of the safety guidelines when using a fire pit is to surround it with non-combustible materials. That way, if the fire gets out of control, it won’t spread and damage your property. Marble is an excellent choice for this because it’s non-flammable. Therefore, you can rest assured that your gas fire pit has a material that won’t catch fire easily.
Decoration
Apart from safety, you want your gas fire pit to look good. After all, it will be a focal point in your outdoor or indoor space. Marble chips can help you achieve that goal. As mentioned, different colors are displayed when they’re heated. That means you can use them to create a beautiful and unique fire pit that will stand out in your backyard or patio.
How To Choose the Right Marble for Your Gas Fire Pit
Choosing the suitable marble chips for your gas fire pit ensures safety and decoration. Here are the factors to consider when making your selection:
Size
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to fire pit marbles.
Marble chips come in different sizes, and the size you choose will depend on the look you’re going for and the size of your gas fire pit.
For example, if you want a more natural look, opt for larger chips. If you have a small fire pit, go for smaller chips to avoid overloading it.
As a rule of thumb, the marble size should be proportional to the size of the gas fire pit.
Some common fire pit marble sizes to go for include:
- 1/4″ and 3/8″ fire glass marbles. These are suitable for casual, two-dimensional, and smaller flames.
- 1/2″ and 3/4″ fire glass. These are larger and three-dimensional, suitable for larger flames.
Marble Style
People have different tastes regarding the features of their fire pits. With this consideration, marble chips come in different styles to fit the diverse needs of customers in terms of style. Thus, you should choose a style that suits your preferences and your fire pit’s style.
The most common styles of marble chips for fire pits are:
- Original fire glass. It’s the most used fire pit glass marble. It’s flat on both sides and has beveled edges.
- Crushed fire glass marbles. This is the right option if you’re trying glass marbles for the first time. They are all-around and easy to set up in the firepit.
- Fire diamonds. This is the right option if you want a full flame. The diamond shape allows these marble chips to create a fuller flame in the gas fire pit.
- Fire beads. This is an excellent option for those who want a large ultra-modern flame. The beads are rounded with a three-dimensional texture, making it easy to create a larger flame.
- Fire dots. These are the definition of modern state-of-the-art marble chips. Apart from being two-dimensional, they are small, ensuring a close fitting relevant for a subtle flame.
- Fire cubes. These come in square shapes that resemble ice cubes. This is your option if you’re looking for more decorative fire pit marbles. Fire cubes have straight and clean lines that enhance their outlook in the fire pit.
Color
One of the benefits of using marble in your gas fire pit is the different colors it produces. When choosing the right color for your gas fire pit, consider the overall look you’re trying to achieve. If you want a bright and colorful fire pit, go for light-colored marble chips.
On the other hand, if you want a more sophisticated look, dark-colored marble chips are your best bet.
Light-colored marble chips produce vibrant and bright flames, while dark-colored ones create subtle and subdued flames.
Type of Gas Fire Pit
The type of gas fire pit you have will also determine the kind of marble chips you can use. If you have a natural gas fire pit, go for glass or ceramic marbles.
On the other hand, if you have a propane fire pit, opt for metal or stone marbles.
Not all types of marble chips are suitable for all types of gas fire pits. Thus, it’s essential to consider the kind of fire pit you have before making your purchase.
Safety
Safety should be your top priority when using marble chips in your gas fire pit. You should check the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the right amount of marble chips to use in your gas fire pit.
Adding too many marble chips to your fire pit can create a risk of explosion, so it’s essential to be cautious.
Also, keep an eye on the fire pit when in use and extinguish it correctly when not in use.
Your Preferred Look
Don’t buy marble chips for your gas fire pit just because you saw one at your friend’s place. You should go for the look you desire that will fit well in your house.
Some of the common looks include:
- Reflective fire glass marbles: These marbles resemble the flame in the fire pit. They always reflect the light and produce a bright flame.
- Semi-reflective fire glass marbles: These have a semi-reflective finish that makes them different from the regular marble chips.
- Non-reflective fire glass marbles: These are the marbles that retain their original colors even when the fire pit is lit.
It’s worth noting that you can have a blend of the above marbles. Mixing the non-reflective with the reflective marbles will give you a colorful flame with light effects. Such a mix will make the fire pit more appealing indoors.
You can mix two to three colors to create a unique color blend. The colors you choose will determine the overall look of your gas fire pit.
Finally, mixing lava rock with fire glass marbles will give you an exotic appearance. The lava rock is usually black and will make the fire look more natural.
The bottom line is to use the right type of marble chips for your gas fire pit to achieve the desired look. With the many options available, you’re sure to find one that suits your taste and preference.
The Pros of Using Marble Chips in Gas Fire Pits
The following are the pros of using marble chips in your gas fire pit:
Eliminates the Risk of Smoke
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency discusses that wood smoke is a health hazard. The fine particulate matter or PM 2.5 may cause bronchitis and asthma.
The advantage of using marbles in your fire pit is that they don’t produce tar and smoke. As a result, you’ll have a clean fire unlikely to cause any respiratory problems.
Versatile
Marble chips come in different colors, sizes, and shapes. You can use them to create any look you desire for your gas fire pit.
For instance, you can use reflective or semi-reflective marbles if you want a bright and colorful flame.
On the other hand, if you desire a more sophisticated look, non-reflective marble chips would be your best bet.
Affordable
Marble chips are cheaper than wood and other fuel options. In most places, marble chips cost from $0.25 to 0.50 per square foot in most places. On the other hand, wood costs up to $12.00 per square foot. Therefore, marble chips are the way to go if you want a cheaper way to contain your fire.
Marble Chips Are Effective at Maintaining Residual Heat Temperature
Residue heat temperature is a material’s temperature after being removed from its heat source. The ability of marble chips to maintain high residue temperatures is essential in applications where you need to contain the heat for a more extended period.
Some of these applications include:
- Ash removal. After removing wood ashes from your fire pit, they can be used as fertilizer in your garden. The high residue temperature of marble chips will help to remove all the ashes from the fire pit effectively.
- Cooking. You can use your fire pit for cooking by placing a pot on top. The high residue temperature will help to cook food faster.
- House warming. The preserved residue heat temperature can keep your house warm, especially in winter.
The Cons of Using Marble Chips in Gas Fire Pits
Despite the many advantages of using marble chips in gas fire pits, there are a few disadvantages, such as:
- Tending to overheat. Marble chips tend to overheat when used in gas fire pits. As a result, they pose risks, especially when touched. It’s advisable to use gloves when adding or removing the marble chips from your fire pit to avoid burns.
- Can be messy. Marble chips tend to break and crumble when handled roughly. As a result, they can be quite messy. The good news is that you can avoid the mess by using a scoop when handling the marble chips. Alternatively, you can slowly pour them into your gas fire pit to prevent accidents.
- Difficult to find. Marble chips are difficult to find compared to wood. The process of extracting marbles is quite complicated, and that’s why they’re not as readily available as wood. If you want to use marble chips in your gas fire pit, you may have to search for them in specialty stores. The search may be a tedious and time-consuming activity that may waste your precious time that would have otherwise been used for other projects.
Final Thoughts
Marbles are suitable in gas fire pits as they are dense and non-porous. You can rest assured that they will withstand high temperatures without absorbing water or moisture. You only need to be careful about handling the marble chips as they can be quite delicate and tend to break easily. Other than that, using marbles in your gas fire pit is an excellent way to enjoy a clean and safe fire.
Sources
- University of Illinois: Question Categories
- National Library of Medicine: Fire Pit-Related Burn Injuries in Children and Adolescents
- Calgary: Fire Pit Safety
- United States Environmental Protection Agency: Wood Smoke and Your Health
- Favored Stone Guides: Can You Use Marble Chips in a Fire Pit?
- Backyard Caring: Can You Use Glass Marbles in a Fire Pit?
