Sand is a wonderful gift of nature that we usually take for granted, this is because we find it everywhere. But look at the great things we can make from it.
Sand makes beaches what they are, we can hardly build our houses without them, they are used in making glasses and protecting the bottom of our firepit. Yes they protect our fire pit
Sand is put in the bottom of our firepit to protect the unit from getting damaged from the extreme heat that is generated in it. Sand is nonflammable nor combustible and so they are one of the best materials to put at the bottom of your fire pit.
Today we are going to look at how useful sand is to our fire pit and why it is better than any other material that we can put in the fire pit.
Why Put Sand In The Bottom Of A Firepit
Sand is made up of silicon dioxide which scientifically we can say is oxidized and that is why it cannot burn because it is already bonded with oxygen. This is the very property that makes sand good to be put in the bottom of a firepit because it is not flammable.
In fact, it is because sand is inflammable, that is why many people use it as a means of extinguishing fires. Sand does not burn ordinarily, except at very high temperatures in which it disintegrates into its constituent elements.
The good news is that the firepits can never get to that temperature in which sand becomes combustible or inflammable, and that is why they are great for the bottom of your firepit.
Sand is also a good material to put under your firepit because it is easy to use unlike other alternatives and they do not require any serious maintenance. They can also absorb a hot of heat so that they keep the material below them from being damaged.
Related Article: Do Propane Fire Pits Smell Bad?
Best Sand For Firepit
Even though beach sand and even playground sand can be used for the bottom of your fire pits, the Fire-proof Silica sand is a better option for you because it is an excellent base layer that is light and white. It is recommended because if these reasons:
1. It improves the performance of the flame: this sand has a beautiful color and aesthetic feel to it, and helps the fire to burn evenly because it ensures that the gas is consistently dispersed in all directions
2. It is environmentally friendly: this sand is safe to be used both indoors and outdoors because it does not produce any smoke or fumes that might be toxic you us and the environment.
3. Ease to install and use: all you need to do to enjoy the benefits of this fire-proof is just to open the bag and pour it into your firepit.
4. 100% fire-proof: this sand is true to its name: it is fire-proof and remains non-flammable nor combustible at the maximum temperatures your fire pit can ever get.
How Does Sand Protect Your Firepit?
Sand can protect the metal at the bottom of your fire pit so that it doesn’t get damaged by the extreme heat that is generated by the fire.
This sand dies by a sorbic the heat of the fire pit and then distribute it evenly all around the fire pi’s base so that there is no part that is hotter than the other.
If the fire pit is not protected, the heat generated will become concentrated on one area and this will make the bottom of the fire pit begin to get corroded and damage and eventually will become useless. Since sand is an insulator, it can absorb this heat and prevent it from being concentrated in one place.
Other Ways Of Protecting Your Fire Pit
While we have established that sand gives some form of protection for your fire pit, they are however not enough to ensure the safety and durability of the fire pit but also ensure your safety and those of your loved ones.
To further ensure that you get the best from your fire pit, it is important to always read the manufacturer’s manual as will show you the best way to get the best out of your fire pit.
In fact, some manufacturers recommend that materials other than sand be put at the bottom of their fire pit. You will do well for yourself to stick to their rules.
Protecting your fire pit from rust is another important issue that you should be mindful of. Even though in the short run rust does not affect the performance of your fire pit, but you want a unit that is aesthetically pleasing, that is why you must deal with the issue of rust.
If you leave the rust in your fire pit unchecked then the rust might eventually wear out the whole unit damaged and useless. You can take care of the unit by not leaving it exposed to the elements because water and air are the two materials that must be present for metal to rust
To further protect your fire pit, it is essential that you invest in a good protect fire pit cover of the right size which you will use to cover the fire pit when it is not in use. The cover will prevent water and other diets from getting onto the fire pit.
Another protective material that you will need is a high-temperature, rust-resistant spray. This spray apart from renewing your fire pit and making them look good and new will also protect both the interior and exterior of your fire pit from rust and damage from high heat.
It is also a safety measure to check the amount of moisture that the sand in the fire pit has absorbed, this should be done more frequently in humid areas or days when sand will absorb a lot of water from the atmosphere and then release it to the fire pit which will cause the fire pit to rust.
If you check the sand in the fire pit and discover that they are moist, then dry the sand or even repack it with drier sand. Also, ensure that you put in place measures that will keep your sand from becoming moist. Remember, moist sand will keep your fire pit from burning perfectly.
Read Also: How To Protect a Wooden Deck from a Fire Pit
When Should I Avoid Putting Sand in my Fire Pit?
Even though we have stated how important sand at the bottom of our fire pits are, there are however situations that warrant that we don’t use them
If you are using a fire pit whose bottom is perforated, and these holes are meant for drainage and circulation, then in this scenario you are exempted from using sand on the fire pit.
Sand is an insulator and it will prevent air from moving freely underneath the fire pit and cause your fire pit not to burn properly. If you must use sand in this situation, then you must devise a way that allows free movement of air.
Another scenario that might stop people from using sand is those people who like wood ash as fertilizer for their garden. For such people using sand at the bottom of their fire pit is not an option because the sand will get mixed up in the ash and hence contaminate their fertilizer.
Some people will not put sand at the bottom of their fire pit because they don’t want to go through the hassle of cleaning the sand afterward especially when it gets mixed up with ash. For people like this, they will resort to other alternatives that work.
Perhaps the most common reason why some people do not like sand at the bottom of their firepit is that sand can retain moisture and if the sand gets really moist, it can corrode the metal firepit.
You can avoid this problem by ensuring that you dry the sand in your firepit from time to time and that you cover the firepit with a cover against the elements.
Other Materials That You Can Put I The Bottom If Your Fire Pit
There are a few other materials that can go under the bottom of your fire pit to protect it and they include:
1. Dirt
The advantage that dirt has is that it is readily available, all you need to do is to dig out some from the ground, dry them properly and then use them in your fire pit. It is also quite easy and convenient to use. It is however not as heat resistant as sand.
Using dirt presents the same snag that sand presents when used in a fire pit, they both have the ability to absorb moisture over time which will corrode the bottom of the fire pit. The second problem is that you will need to clean the fire pit more often than usual because sand and fit can get messy.
2. Gravel:
This is another good material for your fire pit bottom. It is inexpensive, effective, and are also readily available. To use the gravel in the bottom of your fire pit, you should put enough gravel to cover at least 10%of the volume of the fire pit. You however have to ensure that your firepit does not heat up so much because gravels can become combustible at extreme heat.
3. Magma Lava Rocks
This is a great option for your fire pit as they offer the best results. everywhere these rocks are pink in color and their look is stylish and exotic, which explains why many people love it, it transforms the look of your fire pit greatly.
The problem with magma lava rocks is that they are not available everywhere and where you find them, they are quite expensive when compared to other alternatives.
4. Fire Glass:
If you are looking to make your fire put exotic and unique then you should use fire glass at the bottom of your fire pit. These fire glasses come in different colors and patterns and they are specially designed for use in the fire pit.
They are heat resistant, in fact, they are the most effective material to place at the bottom of your fire pit became they are non-flammable, neither do they explode at very extreme temperatures.
Because they are specifically made for use I’m fire pits, fire glass is the safest and hence the best option. We must state however that they are the most expensive of all the materials we have talked about and they are the least readily available. However, If you can afford it, it is really worth it.
Conclusion: Why Put Sand In The Bottom Of A Firepit
Fire pits have come to stay as an integral part of our way of life. They are useful not only for keeping ourselves warm but also for cooing some foods and just adding beauty to our outdoor space.
To enjoy your fire pit for longer, you will have to protect the bottom of these units with sand which will absorb the heat from the fire and distribute equally all through the bottom of the fire pit.
Sand is one of the easiest to use materials that are readily available for your fire pit and they are also very effective. So remember to protect your fire pit by putting a layer of sand underneath it.
Helpful Links:
- How Do You Measure A Fire Pit Insert
- What Kind of Paint Do You Use on a Fire Pit?
- Can You Put A Fire Pit On Trex Composite Decking?
- Can I Make My Own Fire Pit Insert (If Yes, How Simple)
- How Do You Keep Your Fire Pit from Rusting?
We trust this article helped you know how to make Fire Pit Vent Holes. You may also want to check out If You Need Vent Holes in My Fire Pit?
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