Fire Pit Gas Connection Kits

Gas Connection Kits

Essentially, gas connection kits link your fire pit burner to your gas supply regardless of whether you have a Natural Gas supply, a large Liquid Propane tank providing gas to the whole house, or use a small portable LP tank (20 lbs). So from the array of Fire Pit Gas Connection Kits available how do you ensure that you purchase the correct one?  Well, read on!

How to determine which Gas Connection Kit you need

This will depend on the BTU rating of the Burner and the type of gas used to power the Burner.

What is a BTU?

A BTU is simply a measurement of heat energy. Larger, higher BTU-rated fire pit burners require more heat energy which translates into a need for a higher volume of gas than smaller BTU-rated burners. The higher the volume of gas required, the larger the diameter of gas lines and valves need to be. It is very important not only to have a sufficient volume of gas delivered to your fire pit location but also to use the correct gas connections if you wish your fire pit burner to fulfill its potential and produce a flame that will match your expectations.  Most fire pit manufacturers supply fire pit kits comprising of a burner along with appropriate gas connections, in order to avoid any potential issues and safeguard the user. For more information on these visit our fire pit kits page to view the wide range on offer.

Gas Connection Kit classifications

There are three levels of classification for Fire Pit Gas Connection Kits

1. Low Capacity ( LC ) – LC is not relevant to fire pits
2. Standard Capacity ( SC ) – SC covers about ninety percent of fire pits and works up to around 300,000 BTUs
3. High Capacity ( HC ) – For gas units requiring 300,000 BTUs or more. These will mainly be found in commercial settings. The term ‘capacity’ refers to the volume of gas flowing through the system.

Fire Pit Gas Supply

There are two types of gas options when it comes to fire pits, Natural Gas and Liquid Propane. A Whole-House system is where NG is piped to your property by a utility company or LP is supplied from a large gas storage tank on your property. Another option for supplying gas to your fire pit is using small portable 20 lb Liquid Propane tanks.

Whole House System

Depending on the BTU rating of your burner you will need either one of the following:

• Standard Capacity (SC) gas connection kits may range from just a simple flex hose with a gas shut-off valve at one end to one which has a key valve, cover plate and key to be mounted on the exterior structure of your fire pit, two gas lines, and all necessary fittings. An air mixer is supplied for LP versions.
• High Capacity (HC) gas connection kits are essentially the same as SC kits but have larger diameter gas lines that feed in and out of a higher capacity key valve to deal with the volume of gas required.

 

Small Tank Liquid Propane 

Individual manufacturers will determine which of their burners are suitable for use with small LP tanks and supply appropriate gas connections.

• Standard Capacity kits are just like those described above but with the addition of a regulator and due to the fact that it is propane, an air mixer.
• High Capacity Burners are unsuitable for connection to a 20 lb Propane Gas Tank.