A fire pit in your backyard can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere for your friends and family. But cleaning the glass regularly is important to keep your fire pit looking its best and help it last longer.
This article will provide a step-by-step guide on cleaning fire pit glass and some helpful maintenance tips.
5 Easy And Quick Steps to Clean Fire Pit Glass
One of the initial questions that might hit your mind is, “can fire glass be cleaned”. And the answer is “yes.” Yes, you can clean your fire glass if you know how to clean it perfectly. Let’s discuss the steps in cleaning fire glass effectively so that it looks as colorful and beautiful as ever.
Step 1: Gather the Supplies
As fire pit glasses are not your ordinary pieces of glass, you need the right supplies to clean them safely. We have listed everything you need for the washing and tidying session below. Check them out.
Things You Need
- Water
- Household vinegar
- Protective gloves
- Plastic scoop
- A strainer
- Newspaper sheets
- Tarp
Step 2: Prepare the Fire Pit
When you decide to wash and clean your patio fire pit glass, make sure to prepare the fire pit first to avoid any mishaps and accidents. Turn off the gas supply of the pit and let it cool down completely. AS glass is a bad conductor of heat, it will hold the heat for quite some time before cooling off. Make sure to turn off the fire pit several hours before cleaning. Otherwise, you might end up burning your hands.
Step 3: Remove the Fire Glass
Once the fire glass in the fire pit cools down completely, it’s now time to remove them for cleaning purposes. Carefully scoop out the cooled fire glass with a plastic scooper and pour it into a bucket. Make sure to focus on the edges near the burner and the top layer to scoop out every last piece of glass crystals.
Sweep any pieces of broken glass away for safety purposes.
Step 4: Wash the Fire Glass Crystals
After removing all the glass crystals from the fire pit:
- Wash them with warm, soapy water.
- Mix dish soap (or any other liquid soap you prefer) with warm water and bring it to lather.
- Pour the mixture into the bucket with a fire glass and stir all of them well. The friction between the crystals will help to remove all the dirt, dust, and grime easily and quickly.
- If the dirt is super stubborn, you can use a scrubber to scrub off the glass for an even cleaner look.
- Once you clean off the fire glass with soapy water, rinse them with distilled water so they are completely clean and shiny.
Want to more clean:
Use a household vinegar and water solution for a more natural cleaning option. Soak the crystals for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with clean water for a glistening outlook. Remove the vinegar, as it can leave a white cast over the glass.
Also, when cleaning the glass crystals, try not to use alcohol or chemical-based cleansers. Because these cleansers are flammable, they can result in a big fire in the fire pit if not washed off thoroughly.
Step 5: Dry the Fire Glass
Before putting them back in the fire pit, completely dry off your freshly-washed fire glass to ensure safety. If particles of water cling to the crystals, they can pop out suddenly when you light a fire on them. After you drain the water, spread the fire glass evenly on newspaper sheets so that they can soak any excess moisture and dry them efficiently. Make sure to shuffle the crystals every now and then for complete drying.
Once the fire glass crystal is cleaned and dried perfectly, put them back in the fire pit to warm up your surroundings again.
Tips for Maintaining Fire Pit Glass
- Disconnecting Propane Source: Make sure to disconnect the propane source and let it cool off before cleaning your fire pit glass.
- Cleaning with Soap & Water: Use a soft cloth or sponge and mild detergent with warm water when wiping down the glass.
- Avoid Abrasive Materials: Avoid using abrasive materials that could leave scratches on the surface of your fire pit’s glass.
- Inspection by Expert: For wood-burning units, have an expert inspect both sides of the glass before attempting any scrubbing or wiping down with water and detergent.
- Regular Checkups: Regularly check your fire pit for any damage or dirt buildup to ensure it is functioning properly and efficiently.
Why Fire Pit Glass Gets Black In the First Place?
Several reasons your fire pit glass might turn black and dirty. We have discussed them in detail so that you can protect these crystals as much as possible.
Wind Blowing the Flame
When the wind blows on your fire pit, it leads the fire to shoot on the pit as well as the edges of the burner pan. And when this shoot deposits on your fire pit over time, it turns the interior of the pit and the fire glass dirty, making them look black and nasty.
To keep the fire pit and glass clean and sparkling, make sure you have a consistent flame. You can either block the wind [nearly impossible for outdoor fire pits] or use a flame guard to reduce fire shooting and keep the glass crystals clean for longer.
Improperly Installed Air-Mixer
In general, outdoor fire pits use LP gas to light up the fire. However, as LP gas is dense, it requires an air mixer to burn cleanly without producing any black soot. This air mixer combines additional air with gas, making it a cleaner and more efficient fuel source for your fire fit.
But if this air mixer is not installed properly in the fire pit, the dense LP gas will start making black shoots and dirty the fire glass in the pit.
If you want to maintain the looks of your beautiful fire glass, make sure that the air mixer in the fire pit is set properly.
How Long Does Fire Pit Glass Last?
Firepit glass crystals are usually super long-lasting. Because they don’t burn, melt, or change color in the fire pit, these crystals can last somewhere between 4 to 8 years. However, these glass crystals can last more than that with proper care and cleaning.
Wrapping Up
Cleaning your fire pit glass is an important part of keeping it looking like new. If you follow these steps, we are sure that your fire glass crystals will not only be dirt and dust-free but glisten like never before. Regular cleaning is the key to keeping your fire pit glass in tip-top shape.
Henry Jurk is an experienced architect with over 20 years of expertise in paving. He shares his knowledge and provides solutions through his blog posts at OkPatio.com. If you have any questions about patios, gardens, and outdoor spaces, you can find the correct answers from Henry. You can contact him via email at ar.henryjurk@gmail.com or through the website’s contact page.
