Fire Bowls

Fire bowls are typically made of concrete, copper, or stainless steel. There are various different sizes and shapes available in each of these categories. All of the fire bowls we offer come with a burner and options to add fire media. All of our outdoor fire bowls are compatible with either natural gas or propane. Fire bowls are a growing trend in the outdoor space, and have the capability of totally transforming your pool, deck, or patio. We offer both match lit & electronic ignitions for our gas fire bowls. Our bowls utilize high quality burners that produce thick and hardy flames that almost perfectly mimic a wood burning fire, without all of the smoke of course! Now lets break down some of the options and things to look out for when ordering one of these fire features.

We recommend that you have a certified technician install these fire features, especially if it requires running a gas line. There are different regulations and restrictions depending on which region or town you live in so it is always worth checking up on those before purchasing. 

Finishes

Concrete bowls have the largest selection of finishes and color options. Standard precast concrete is mixed with different pigments to achieve the desired color, and can be sandblasted to enhance the finish. If you are looking for a patio fire bowl with a high gloss finish then GFRC bowls are the way to go. GFRC stands for glass fiber reinforced concrete, but they are also available in matte finishes as well. You have the option to choose between smooth and textured finishes, and it should be noted that concrete bowls do have small air pockets. This is common with any poured concrete product and cannot be avoided or controlled, they do not affect the structural integrity of the bowl in any way.

Stainless steel fire bowls are available exclusively in a brushed stainless finish. Copper fire bowls can be ordered in smooth copper or hammered copper finishes. It is important to know that copper will patina over time and will need to be cleaned to restore its original finish, damp or salty environments can also speed the patina process up. Stainless steel is much more resistant to the elements but will still occasionally need cleaned to restore its original finish. 

Ignition Types

Match Lit - This is the standard ignition option for fire bowls. You just turn the gas on and light the flame with a match or lighter. Once lit you can adjust the flame height to the desired level.

Electronic Ignition (AWEIS) - This option is available on most fire bowls, although some smaller fire pots do not offer this ignition type because there is not enough room for the components inside the bowl. If it is not available on the product it is likely because of this reason. Electronic ignition allows you to light the burner with the push of a button, and has built in safety features as well.

Now that you have all the information you need, you can start browsing! DIY fire bowls are not as intimidating once you know all of the inner workings, but professional help may be needed depending on your particular setup. 

Outdoor fire bowls will light up your patio space at night and give you a truly unique and relaxing atmosphere. They can be installed a top of pillars around your outdoor space, or you can set them on your deck or patio to gather around on a cold night with friends!

FAQs

Are your fire bowls stable?

• Yes, all of our fire bowls are very stable. Just like a mixing bowl that you would have in your kitchen, the bottom of the basin flattens on the bottom ever so slightly to keep it from rolling or tipping over. Due to the sheer size of some of our products, the height and weight of the fire bowl itself will also help with stability.

Can wood be burned in a fire bowl?

• No. Wood burns at a higher temperature than gas, which puts your outdoor fire bowl and burner at the potential risk of damage from the heat. We recommend never using wood in your concrete fire bowl.

How do I protect my fire pit bowl from the elements?

• A great option for protecting your precast fire bowl is to apply a good quality concrete sealer. This should be done at least once a year. Remember to thoroughly clean your fire bowl before applying the sealer.
• Stainless steel fire bowls can be cleaned with a soft cloth, lukewarm water, and a small amount of ph-neutral cleaning detergent. Rinse clean, then let air dry. Buff with a separate clean cloth. You may also use a good quality stainless steel cleaner on the outside of the bowl.
• Copper ages beautifully over time due to oxidation and will develop a bluish-green patina. However, to maintain the lustrous copper appearance, simply combine a 1/2 cup of lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a plastic bowl. Using a soft cloth and working in a circular motion, gently scrub the outer surface of your bowl. Wipe the bowl with a separate clean cloth, then rinse it with lukewarm water. Let air dry to avoid watermarks. A 3rd clean soft cloth can be used to buff the surface when completely dry.
• We also recommend getting a cover to keep your fire bowl product looking like brand new!

Can I receive a concrete color sample?

• Unfortunately, no. Each of our concrete products is custom made, and while every one of our artisans follows the same guidelines for color-mixing, the pouring of the concrete will actually determine the specific hue of the finished product. Therefore, if we send you a color sample, it will not be a true representation of your concrete accent. The colors that we feature online are the closest examples of your chosen shade.
• Rest assured that if you order multiples of one color (taupe, for example), the fire bowls will match each other, but there will be specific areas of each feature that show a variance in texture and blending. For example, the color on the lip of one fire bowl may appear slightly bolder in certain areas than the next. This is not a flaw; rather, it is an indication of quality and perfection. This is 100% assurance that your concrete fire bowl was handcrafted.

What kind of concrete are these fire pit bowls made from?

• Depending on the manufacturer, your fire bowl could be made of precast concrete or glass fiber reinforced concrete. Either blend is a heavy-duty alternative to regular concrete. Inferior mixtures often crack during use. Much like the high tensile mixes found in industrial and architectural applications, our concrete blends are resistant to weather, high temperatures, and mechanical shocks. Your fire bowl will last for many seasons of fireside enjoyment.

How much does a concrete fire bowl weigh?

• The concrete mix we use for each fire bowl is just as heavy as any other concrete. This is because we don't add any lightweight filler or low-quality aggregate. Weight is dependent upon the size of the bowl you order, ranging anywhere from 80 to 250 pounds, or even more for an extra-large fire bowl.

How do you ship a concrete fire bowl?

• Since the concrete bowls are so heavy, we must ship them by a freight trucking company. They are packaged using a wood pallet with protective sides so that no damage occurs during transport. After the concrete fire bowls arrive at your home or business, the truck operator will unload the pallet using a liftgate so that you may inspect it for any damage. If all is well, then you may begin installation as soon as you wish!

Do I have to be a contractor to install a fire bowl?

• This answer depends on your locality. Since concrete fire bowls often require a gas supply line, we recommend that only licensed contractors install and test the ignition and burner system. Once the gas system is completed by a licensed contractor, it is dependent on the discretion of your local fire codes as to whether or not you are allowed to complete any other water, electrical, or structural work on the fire bowl project. We have a lot of customers who have successfully installed the bowls themselves in a few hours, and others whose municipality required either a permit, or dictate that all the work be completed by a contractor.

Where can I install a fire bowl?

• Our customers have installed their fire bowls just about anywhere outside their home, including uncovered gathering spots on the patio or atop pillars surrounding the pool. Business owners also love displaying fire bowls at their venues, whether in alfresco restaurant seating areas, ski resorts, golf courses, campuses of large corporations, or amusement park entrances!

Can I use a fire bowl for a planter?

• Some of our customers have chosen to use their fire bowls as a decorative planter, displaying them in garden hideaways or on outdoor patios. When used as a planter, they make a great addition to indoor residential and commercial spaces. To do so, simply do not install the burner components and fuel lines. Please note, however, that our fire bowls do include these pieces and connections and cannot be separated.

Can I use a fire bowl for a fountain or birdbath?

• We actually have scupper bowls for just this purpose! Charming on their own or astounding when added in tiers for your own DIY water feature, they make an interesting addition to these projects. Currently, we offer a variety of precast concrete and copper scupper bowls, as well as a travertine material product. They offer a spout that allows water to cascade out of the bowl into a pond or pool. A water line connection can be hooked up to your swimming pool system or a water pump to recirculate the water back into the bowl.
• If you are not interested in using a spillway type bowl, our regular fire bowls can be used for fountain or birdbath projects only if you eliminate the burner and gas line components. Please note that our packages do include these pieces and connections and cannot be separated.

FOR PRECAST CONCRETE BOWLS:

Please note that concrete on its own is not watertight. It needs to be sealed in order to hold water. There are some terrific concrete sealers on the market that can be found at your local hardware store. We highly recommend a waterproof sealer. A bonus would be a flexible heavy-duty coating that has freeze-thaw properties for winter weather conditions. This would allow you to cover your bowl and leave it outside with confidence for the season!