General Guidelines for FirePits:

1) The ring burner should be installed with the holes (burner ports) pointed downward for better flame dispersion and to avoid the burner filling up from rainwater (which will decrease the life of the burner). 

2) The burner should be covered with volcanic ash from about 1" below the bottom of the burner to 1" to 2" above the top surface of the burner to provide a level platform for stacking our logs, FireStones, FireBalls or FireShape.  The volcanic ash also serves to diffuse the flame to increase the life of the logs, etc.  Direct flame straight out of the burner impinging onto the logs will break the cementitious bonding that keeps the logs intact during normal use.  Volcanic ash does not clump like sand can do (resulting in high flame in one area, low on another), and its porosity allows for better mixing with secondary combustion air for a somewhat cleaner burn.

3) Match lighting is preferable for outdoor FirePits, due to uncontrollable and unpredictable weather issues (wind, rain, snow).
     a) If you desire to use a control system, do not use a standing pilot control.  Use a pilot-on-demand electronic ignition control.
     b) With an electronic ignition system, you still have a pilot.  The pilot flame must be shielded so that it fully engulfs the sensor electrode at all times during operation.  If the pilot flame does not remain constantly on the sensor, the main flame will cycle on and off as the pilot flame touches and pulls away from the sensor electrode.
     c) We recommend the following company for assisting you with the design and building of burner and control systems for outdoor use:
          i)  Grand Effects, 18 Technology Dr. Suite 122, Irvine, CA 92618, Phone (949) 697-5270 , Fax (949) 625-8027, www.grandeffectsinc.com, info@grandeffectsinc.com