I’m sure most of you have seen glass beads being used in fancy items such as dresses, bags, and jewelry. Beads of all types have been used to beautify objects, with many different types being used at a single time. But have you ever thought of using glass beads in a fire pit? Do you think Dollar store glass beads can be used in a fire pit?
Well not to worry! I have all these answered for you. Before I start to explain and discuss all these in detail, let us first try to understand more about glass beads.
So, What Are Glass Beads?
Fire glass (also known as glass beads, fire pit glass, fire rocks, fire beads, or lava glass) is a type of tempered glass in which chunks are utilized as decorative pieces on fireplaces and fire pits. Pieces of glass are piled up around flames of burning gas or liquid ethanol in order to mask the flames and reflect them, and the flames are reflected off the glass.
It is a form of tempered glass designed to be used in place of gas logs in gas fire pits and fireplaces. This glass is designed to resist extreme temperatures without melting, burning, or discoloring. Fire glass comes in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes to suit any stylistic taste. In comparison to gas logs in natural gas or propane fire pits, fire glass not only adds a unique bright aspect to your gas fire pits but also has various advantages.
Why Is Fire Glass So Expensive?
When it comes to fire glass, one of the most frequently asked questions that are asked to me is why there is such a wide range of expensive prices when it comes to fire glass. So what do you think? What might be the reason for fire glass being so expensive?
In this section, I will talk about the areas that drive prices. The main reason that drives the price of fire glasses is their quality. The three main factors that influence the overall quality of the glass:
- The quality of the underlying glass,
- The quality of secondary treatments (such as mirrored backing),
- And the level of quality control applied during production.
When it comes to selecting the glass that will be used for fire glass, manufacturers have a wide range of options. Consider the aquatic glass, which is typically used for aquariums. It is extremely clear and does not have any color shade to it.
Following the selection of the quality of glass to be used, the fire glass may require additional enhancements such as the application of a mirrored backing or the treatment of the glass (adding a gloss finish to the glass). These procedures are difficult to perform and necessitate the use of specialized equipment and that’s where it becomes expensive. Although the equipment, both in terms of purchase and maintenance, can be quite expensive, it is an investment that is well worth the money spent. The price of fire glass rises as a result of having the proper equipment, knowledge, and skills to properly enrich the glass.
Quality does not only imply the use of the highest-quality glass; it also includes other factors. The process also involves the application of tried and tested true quality control procedures to make sure that the fire glass that does not meet quality standards is identified and got rid of. Companies that strive to manufacture high-quality fire glass will have a documented set of quality standards and a methodology for inspecting and ensuring that all of their glass meets those standards.
Quality inspectors will inspect all fire glass throughout the manufacturing process, and if any of the fire glass does not meet the required quality standards, the glass will be discarded (and recycled for use in other products that do not require high-quality glass) and replaced with new fire glass.
Even though many people don’t think about it much, the packaging of fire glass has a significant impact on the price of the product. Special packaging is required for much of the higher-end fire glass to ensure that the fire glass arrives at its final destination in the same condition in which it was shipped from the factory. This level of protection for the glass demands not only the use of a plastic jar but also the use of additional packaging around the jar in order to absorb impacts and reduce the stress impacted on the fire glass.
If I have to keep it short, the higher the quality of the fire glass, the more protective packaging is required, which raises the cost of the product.
Can I Use Glass Beads In My Fire Pit?
Absolutely! For the most part, I have found that fire glass is the best option for my fire pit. Low maintenance, durability, safety features, and efficient temperature radiation are some of the most convincing advantages it has got.
- Low Maintenance – As previously stated, fire glass does not melt, burn, or discolor. The glass also doesn’t produce smoke, leaves no residue or ash to clean up, and doesn’t require any mid-burn maintenance. This means you can light your fire and sit back and relax without needing to add small scraps of dry wood that will be great fire starters or fuel to it.
Maintenance of fire glass has become nearly old-fashioned due to the absence of residue and ash. If dust accumulates on the glass over time, simply wash it outside of the fire pit with light dish soap and warm water, rinse it well before replacing it in the fire pit.
- Durability – The lifespan of fire glass is almost infinite. The fire glass has been designed to resist intense temperatures and will not pop or fracture when used in a fire. Fire glass is a wise financial investment due to its durability, the one-time purchase of fire glass is likely to be the only purchase you will make on this product. There will be no more log expenses in the future.
- Safety Features – The production of fire glass improves the safety aspects that most users consider to be beneficial. When fire glass is made, it is dropped and polished to remove any rough edges. Unlike conventional glass fragments, fire glass does not pop or crack during a fire. Avoid using other glass objects in a fire pit because they may break or burst.
Fire glass is tempered glass that is free of the plastic additives found in other forms of tempered glass. Toxic gases can be generated when tempered glass, such as car windows, is not particularly constructed for fire burning. There is no smoke, harmful gases, ash, or sparks while using fire glass. Because of these characteristics, you can use fire glass both indoors and outdoors without the worry of a fire hazard to your home or children and pets nearby.
- Efficient temperature radiation – Because of its reflecting surfaces, glass has a higher conductivity than logs or stones. When used with the proper burner pan, fire glass is meant to increase the heat radiation produced by your fire pit by 3-4 times that of wooden logs. Despite producing the same amount of heat, the reflective surfaces of glass cause the heat to radiate outward at a rate up to four times that of logs.
Now the question that arises here is can I use any glass beads in the fire pit?
The answer is a big no! Only tempered glass can safely be used in a gas or propane fire pit.
When subjected to extreme heat and flames, the non-tempered glass may produce hazardous chemicals. It may also melt, burn, discolor, crack, pop, and become an extremely dangerous one.
Best Practices for Using Glass Beads In An Fire Pit
Fireplace glass comes in a wide range of colors and may be used in both fire pits and fireplaces, both indoors and outdoors, using either propane or natural gas. Ordinary ‘domestic’ shattered glass, such as beer or wine bottles, food containers, and so on, is not safe to use in a fire feature as it is potentially dangerous.
But when you consider high-quality fireplace glass, no harmful gases, smoke, or explosions are produced. Under normal conditions, good-quality fireplace glass should last a lifetime and come with a lifetime warranty. It’s also quite simple to keep up with. Depending on whether you cover your fire pit while it’s not in use, you might only need to clean it once a season. Wash it in a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar, then thoroughly rinse and dry before usage.
Before igniting your fire pit, clean out any debris that has accumulated in the fire pit tray. Now the question that arises is how do I use these glass beads?
- What is the best size to use?
The great majority of fireplace glass available in the market is 1/4′′ or 1/2′′ thick. But what exactly does that imply, and how should I proceed?
These irregularly sized tempered glass ‘chips’ are made by smashing a huge plate of tempered glass into fragments. As a result, the only continuous dimension is the thickness of the original glass plate, which is typically 1/4′′ or 1/2′′ thick. There is no technical reason to use one size over the other; it is simply a matter of preference.
In a large fire pit, 1/4 inch fire glass may appear overwhelming, whereas 1/2 inch fire glass may appear bulky in a tiny fireplace.
- How much I’ll need?
Many people are amazed to hear that the gas that comes out of a fire pit burner should not be ignited immediately next to the burner. The gas should rise through the fire pit media and ignite exactly as it reaches the top of the fireplace glass/lava rock, which might be up to 2′′ above the burner!
Use a ‘filler’ from the base of the fire pit tray up to just above the level of the burner to limit the amount of fireplace glass you may require. Depending on the burner/tray manufacturer, this could be roughly an inch deep. This might almost be half the amount of fireplace glass that I’ll need!
FAQs
- Can you use regular marbles in a fire pit?
Yes, glass marbles can be used safely to enhance the appearance of your fire pit. Glass marbles, also known as fire pit glasses, come in a broad variety of forms, sizes, and colors. These glass pieces enhance the beauty and elegance of your home’s fire pit.
- Can you cook over fire glass?
My short answer is once again yes! I can cook any sort of food over these just like how I usually cook on other flames. Whether you’re burning wood, charcoal, or a gas flame, the end effect is always the same: fire and heat. As a result of being exposed to the gas flame, these glass pebbles do not burn, but rather become hot and radiate heat.
Finally
If you are looking for something that can act both as a showpiece, as well as a good source of fuel, then glass beads are a great choice. They can save you a lot of money, consume less time when burning and more than anything else, they are a safer alternative as well as everlasting. So what are you waiting for? If you ask me, then I would suggest you to just go for it and you wouldn’t regret it one bit!