How Installation Collars and a Burner Pan Work Together in a Gas Fire Pit

You have the gas fire pit built and now what do you do. 

A custom gas fire pit starts with the enclosure—the stone, block, or other suitable material that gives it its shape. Inside that enclosure, installation collars and a stainless steel burner pan provide the support for the fire feature.

Understanding how these parts fit together makes it easier to plan your project, whether you are building a round backyard fire pit or a custom rectangular design.

What Does an Installation Collar Do?

An installation collar creates a supporting ledge inside the fire pit. The vertical side mounts against the inner wall, while the horizontal tabs extend inward. These tabs form the shelf that the burner pan rests on.

Fire Pit Outfitter’s flexible stainless steel installation collars come in 20-inch sections. Their flexible design allows them to follow the curved wall of a round enclosure or fit other opening shapes. Sections can be trimmed as needed for the project.

Instead of resting on the bottom of the enclosure, the pan sits on these ledges at the planned height.

What Does the Burner Pan Do?

The burner pan provides a platform for the burner and approved decorative fire media. It separates the finished fire area from the cavity below, where the gas connection and other system components are located.

With a flat stainless steel pan, the outer edge rests on the installation collar tabs. A properly sized pan overlaps the supports sufficiently while fitting within the opening of the enclosure.

The pan also keeps the fire media at the intended elevation, reducing the need to fill the entire enclosure with material.

How the Parts Fit Inside a Round Fire Pit

Picture a round masonry enclosure before the burner is installed. The curved collar sections attach around its inside wall, with their tabs pointing toward the center. All supporting sections sit at the same level.

The round burner pan then lowers into the opening and rests directly on the tabs. Once the pan is in place, most of the supports are hidden beneath its edge.

The number and placement of collar sections must provide adequate support for the selected pan, burner, and media load. The installation photos illustrate the relationship between the parts; they do not establish the required support layout for every project.

Choosing the Right Installation Depth

Decide on the burner system and finished media depth before mounting the collars.

Our flexible collar product guidance describes installation 3–6 inches below the finished top of the fire pit. The final position should follow the selected burner manufacturer’s requirements and account for the pan style, burner height, and recommended media coverage.

Measure from the finished top, including the cap stones. A flat plate and a bowl-style pan may require different support positions to achieve the intended burner elevation.

Adding the Burner and Gas Connection

After the supports and pan are fitted, the compatible burner and ignition components complete the system. Some pans use a center connection or threaded nipple that connects the burner above with the gas supply below.

Connection size and configuration depend on the chosen equipment. A qualified gas installer should handle gas sizing, fittings, applicable propane components, and leak testing according to the manufacturer’s instructions and local requirements.

Plan for Ventilation, Drainage, and Access

The enclosure needs manufacturer-specified ventilation (usually 2 -18 square inch vents on opposing sides), a drainage path, and access for servicing the gas and ignition components. Keep pan drainage holes clear, and use approved fire media at the depth specified for the burner.

These details belong in the design before the enclosure is completed.

Bring Your Custom Fire Pit Together

The enclosure creates the shape, the installation collars create the supporting ledge, and the burner pan provides the platform for the burner and fire media.

Explore our installation collars and burner pans, or contact Fire Pit Outfitter for help choosing compatible components for your project.