Fire Pit Kits for Sale!
Starting at$95
by Jon Sarriugarte
I built a charcoal BBQ some years ago and I hate how long it takes to fire up. I looked at new gas grills and thought I could just make one myself for a lot less. Here is the basics of how to convert one yourself. This could be applied to any charcoal grill, with a round fire ring a Webber could be converted as well.
BBQ conversion to Gas – More DIY How To Projects
I call them poofers. These wonderful fire toys were the next generation of vortex generators I made for SRL. After making supersonic vortex rings with oxy-acetylene explosions I want to take it one step further and make giant fire rings. I experimented with different shaped nozzles, pilot lights and valve sizes and came up with ball, ring and disk shaped flames. I was able to achieve great fire rings that fully separated from the cannon and traveled 30-40 feet into the air. The low sounding thump of these poofers can be heard for blocks attracting moths of all kinds. I also worked out a remote crane controller to trigger the poofers. I’m able to walk around the perimeter visiting with the crowd and letting them get a chance to shoot a giant fire ball. I’ve had kids approach the fire balls crying with fright, but wanting to shoot one themselves. The look on their face of achievement and delight with crocodile tears still fresh on their face is worth all the time experimenting.
You can see the perfect fuel air mix achieved (blue) at the flame front and tail of this fire ring. Note the vortex starting to form at the top. the unspent fuel still in the center of this ball will form the ring that will continue anouther 30-40 feet higher before the fuel is spent.
Here is the fire ring.
This poofer shoots and throws a very tight fireball 50 feet in the air.
Here are the poofers. I can rotate the tops on the balls below. This alows me to adjust for wind and crowds.
We finally got the weather to cooperate enough for us to install the Fire Garden we finished a few weeks back for a family in the bay area. The back yard turned out great and has more plumbing and electrical wiring than my whole house! With 3 radiant heaters and my fire garden even on the coldest days there is a warm spot in this back yard. The Corten steel we made the box out of should patina nicely over time.
I left a one inch gap around the box to keep the cement from getting too hot and spalding. The textured steel gave the box a hand made look to contrast the square straight lines of the design.
It looked great with the rest on the landscaping and concrete done by Lutsko Associates landscape
I just finished this great back yard fire garden for a family in the bay area. The box is made of corten weathering steel and the rail is made of Stainless. The whole box will sit down in a stained concert box built into teariest hillside behind their home. I’ll post more pictures once it’s installed.
The lava Rock came from one of my desert trips last year in the Mohave desert where I proposed to my wife.
So many people that have hung out with the warmth and played in the sand of my wonderful Fire Gardens have asked me how they could make one of their own. Well I’ve taken the guess work out of all the fittings and sizes and put together a few kits that I use all the time in my work.
This is a great set up for 14-22″ sand gardens.
Examples of my Fire Gardens Made with this setup
This is a great setup for 14-22″ sand gardens, rocks, high temp glass, or other porous materials etc that need a venturi (gas air mixer) to achieve a clean soot free burn.
12″ steel fire ring, weldable 1/2 coupler, 3/8″ 45 deg to 1/2 NPT fitting (to connect to the gas hose), 2pc 1/2 x 2″ brass nipples, gas orifice (.0250), Teflon tape, and a high pressure 0-60 psi regulator.Examples of Fire Gardens and Patio Heaters (Replaced the fire ring with unique burners) made with this setup
FR18SSLP $185In addition to these kits you will need a container that is able to handle high temperatures and be fully sealed underneath (leaks or drain holes will also allow gas out). A 55 gal drum works good. The weldable coupler provided will need to be welded though the bottom, legs added, then simply attach the fittings, ring, hose, propane BBQ tank and add sand. Sand should be 3-4″ above the ring. This is a match light system and I like those plumbing torches to light mine. Light the torch, then turn on the gas with the flame above the sand. It will take several seconds for the sand to fill with gas and rise to the top. Once lit it’s time to play in the sand with simple tools. This works best after dark when you can turn the flame down very low tell you only see a blue flame.
Fire is hot! DO NOT TOUCH the sand. It’s sticks and will burn before you can get it off. I would add a safety rail to keep young ones from falling on the hot edge and in the sand. It’s also a great place to keep your tools and rest your feet. 30″ is a great height to stand next to, and 14-18″ is great to sit around. Provide a minimum of 6″ below the coupler on the bottom for the fittings and hose. Keep your sand dry by covering in the rain.
Contact me at 510 444 7007, or email me at books@formandreform.com
Great night in the Crucible’s new space for the Fire Arts Festival! Much more room to see things and fire art I’ve never seen before. Looking forward to the rest of the week. Wonderful to see so many kids lined up to shoot fire from the eyes of the snail car. Looks like I’m going to have to set up bigger tanks for the rest of the nights just to keep up!
Christopher keeping things SAFE!
We will be at the Crucible’s Fire Arts Festival this week showing the snail art car the Golden Mean & my outdoor fire gardens.
My newest creation are steel logs and hand forged andiron that use natural gas for fuel. The colors of flame thoughout the fire are wonderful. This is my modern take on the ceramic log. I can build this as a match light system, or add a fully automated remote system with safeties. I use ANSI certified fire pans and safety valves. These logs could also be used in one of my outdoor fire pits as well.
Contact me for a quote or Questions
jon@formandreform.com
Someone drew this Valentines heart in the sand of one of my Fire Gardens.
I had a wonderful time eating great food, talking and watching wonderful fire and light art. I’m always so inspired by the things I see my friends make. Shows like this remind me why I live in the Bay Area.
Fire Art below by Zach Wetzel and Dave Andres of Therm
by Jon Sarriugartewww.flickr.com
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