What are the little rocks in gas fireplace?
What are they made of? Just like it says in their name, lava rocks are made from actual lava. Most lava rocks sold for fireplaces and fire pits are made from vesicular basalts which form when air bubbles get trapped inside lava as it cools and expands.
Can I put rocks in my gas fireplace?
You can add lava rocks before or after you add the logs. Use lava rocks to pour on the base of your fireplace and around your burner pan. This is not to layer on top of anything!
How do you clean lava rocks in a gas fireplace?
Vacuum the lava rocks. Remove each lava rock from the gas fireplace and place them on an old towel. Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to go over each lava rock individually. This should suck up any loose dirt or grime that has settled on the rocks.
How do you arrange lava rocks on a gas fire pit?
If burning wood, place a layer of lava rock at least 4-5 inches deep. Then place your firewood on the lava rock. For gas fires, fill the fire pit with enough lava rock to at least cover the fire ring. Do not use rock or gravel of any kind in place of lava rock; it can potentially explode when heated.
What do lava rocks do in a gas fireplace?
They are formed when hot magma releases gas and cools down. This chemical reaction causes the formation of rock shapes, also known as basalt, or lava rock. Lava rocks are naturally porous. As a result, they are great heat conductors and disperse heat fairly well.
How often should you change embers in gas fireplace?
While the logs and embers should last indefinitely, it’s not uncommon for the embers to lose their brilliance after a year or two. The good news is that your gas fireplace embers are made of inert mineral fibers and are completely safe to handle.
Do lava rocks need replacing?
The fundamental difference is lava rocks are a natural product, but they tend to be fragile so they need to be replaced every season or two (depending how much grilling you do). Briquettes, while more expensive, are a stable manufactured product that have a longer lifespan and can be turned over and reused.
Do lava rocks need to be cleaned?
They capture dust and dirt much more readily than your average smooth landscaping stone or small grade gravel, but luckily you can clean this with a simple rinsing off. A little attention from the garden hose or a periodic rain can go a long way to keep them looking new.
Should lava rocks cover the burner in a gas fire pit?
If your burner is the type that is meant to be fully covered with lava rock, it should be no more than half an inch below the lava rock. If you have the crossfire burner with jets they need to be left exposed or you can position the lava rock in a way that the air intake on the side of the jet is unobstructed.
Do you cover burner with lava rocks?
Each of these forms of fire pit media are intended as a decorative addition to your fire pit; however, we strongly recommend using either fire glass or lava rock to cover your fire pit burner.
What rocks can you use in fireplace?
The igneous rock has a matte finish and will not reflect the appearance of the flames. Because it is naturally occurring and unaltered, there are few color options. It is typically found in basic colors such as red, brown or black. Lava rock has been the go-to choice for fireplaces and fire pits for several years.
How long do lava rocks last?
about two years
With traditional use, lava rocks should last for about two years before replacements are required because of the build-up of grease, which can affect flavor, as well as the natural deterioration of the lava rocks from frequent heating and cooling after use.