Converting a fire pit to use gel fuel

[CruiserMom]

Has anyone done this? We never use our outdoor fire pit (metal bowl on legs style) because of the smoke. I know that you can buy the "logs" that have a place for you to put the gel fuel can, but I'm wondering if I can just fill the bottom of the "bowl" with lava rocks and fire glass and just tuck the gel fuel cans in that and light them?

 

[DrCavin]

This sounds like a Youtube moment in the making....

 

[CruiserMom]

This sounds like a Youtube moment in the making....

I didn't realize that I was asking a silly question...nevermind.

 

[Pikester]

Your post made me curious as I've always wanted a fire pit but also do not like the smoke. I found this http://hubpages.com/hub/Fire-Pit-Fireplace-Accessories-Cool-Fire-Rocks-Fire-Stones-Rock-Shapes

 

[Pikester]

Been doing some more research and you can even roast marshmallows over gel fuel. Atleast some kinds anyways. Just make sure to check it out first.

 

[CruiserMom]

OP here...not really planning to roast marshmallows or anything. Just want it for the ambience while we sit outside by the pool. I really hate the smoke and feeling like I have to shower and wash my hair afterwards. Just trying to figure out how to make it work.

 

[FredinFL]

This sounds like a Youtube moment in the making....

I was thinking the same thing.

I wouldn't mess with gel fuel outside of a specific way to use it. It's not only highly flammable (duh, right?) but sticks.

What about candles or a hurricane lamp?

 

[Imzadi]

Gel fuels smell really wicked if you end up down wind of it. Think: inhaling kerosine.

How about putting in a bunch of outdoor flameless candles in your fire pit? These even come with a timer, so they turn on every nite by themselves. I've seen people decorate their fire pits really nicely with candles. Tall ones in the center, small ones grouped around the outside. Then fill around with glass rocks.

http://www.amazon.com/Everlasting-Indoor-Outdoor-Flameless-Diameter/dp/B003IT6IVA/ref=dp_cp_ob_hg_title_0

 

[CruiserMom]

I didn't realize they had a bad odor. I see the cans of gel fuel advertised on the internet as being used for indoor ventless fireplaces, so I assumed it would work fine outdoors also. Oh well!

 

[Imzadi]

I didn't realize they had a bad odor. I see the cans of gel fuel advertised on the internet as being used for indoor ventless fireplaces, so I assumed it would work fine outdoors also. Oh well!

Maybe it depends on the company? Some might make them out of different fuel? I just know you don't want to have a gust of wind blow the fumes at you. But, that would be the same for real smoke, too. You'd have to move out of the way, till the wind changes.

 

[mickilee]

i just bought one of these. I wouldn't want to try it your way. The insert for mine is a ceramic container. Also the gel bubbles..

walmart sells table top ones 20$. You could use logs to hide the vase.

 

[Starbrite]

OK I am going to be "THAT PERSON" who resurrects a 3 year old post I was searching the internet for this exact same thing today and it brought me right back to the DIS!


Wondering if the OP (or anyone else) ever tried this?

I have a beautiful fire pit bowl/table that we never use as well. I would love to fill it with the fire glass, but didn't want to go thru all the hassle of adding the propane ring & hiding the tank. It seems like I should be able to buy the outdoor gel containers and just surround them in fire glass.

 

[TNaturegirl]

There is odorless, smokeless gel fuel. One is "TerraFlame Gel Fuel". OK, it is now 2021 and I was wondering along the the same lines. We also have an outdoor patio set with a built-in fire-pit table. It sits under our gazebo and obviously I don't want to use wood. So... my thought was laying down fire glass, setting a few canisters down into it a bit then using the grate (with several inches of space above) to add a bit more glass on top.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

We have one that uses the tanks of gas like a grill uses. It looks great but it goes through gas too much, gets expensive to use.