How to Build a Gas Fire Pit Using a Custom Flat Burner Pan and Installation Collar

Building your own gas fire pit gives you the freedom to create the exact size, shape, and finish you want for your outdoor space. But one of the most important parts of the project is what you don't see once the fire pit is finished: how the burner pan is supported inside the fire pit.

At Fire Pit Outfitter, one of our favorite ways to build a custom gas fire pit is with a flat stainless steel burner pan supported approximately 3-6 inches below the top of the fire pit with our Installation Collar.

This creates a strong, clean platform for the burner and fire media while leaving an open cavity underneath for your gas connections and components.

Why Use a Flat Burner Pan?

A flat burner pan creates a platform near the top of the fire pit for your gas burner and decorative media.

Our custom flat burner pans are made from heavy-duty 14-gauge, 304-grade stainless steel and can be custom-sized to fit your fire pit opening. We also incorporate weep holes to help water drain from the pan.

Instead, the burner, lava rock, fire glass, or other approved fire media stay near the top of the fire pit where they're actually needed.

The Secret Is the Installation Collar

So what holds the flat burner pan in place?

That's where the Fire Pit Outfitter Installation Collar comes in.

The Installation Collar mounts to the inside walls of your fire pit and creates a support ledge for the flat burner pan.

For many installations, we recommend positioning the collar so the burner pan sits approximately 3 inches below the finished top of the fire pit.

This gives you room above the pan for your burner and decorative fire media while maintaining an open cavity below for the gas plumbing and connections.

Another major advantage is that the burner pan remains removable. If you ever need access underneath the pan, you can remove the fire media and burner pan rather than tearing apart the fire pit.

Step 1: Build Your Fire Pit Structure

Begin by constructing your fire pit enclosure using materials appropriate for a gas fire feature.

Your fire pit can be:

• Round
• Square
• Rectangular
• Masonry
• Stone
• Concrete
• Metal framed with an appropriate exterior finish

Before building, determine the finished inside dimensions of the opening where your burner pan will sit.

This measurement is important because your Installation Collar and burner pan need to work together.

Step 2: Choose Your Installation Collar Size

The Installation Collar is sized to fit the inside opening of the fire pit.

It attaches around the interior of the fire pit and provides the support for the burner pan.

One of the advantages of the collar system is flexibility. Instead of trying to create a masonry ledge at exactly the right height, you can position the collar where you want the burner pan to sit.

For this type of installation, position the collar approximately 3 inches below the finished top edge of the fire pit.

Step 3: Order Your Custom Flat Burner Pan

Once you know your fire pit dimensions and Installation Collar size, you can determine the correct burner pan dimensions.

The burner pan is made smaller than the Installation Collar opening so it can drop into place and rest securely on the collar's support tabs.

Fire Pit Outfitter can custom-cut square and rectangular flat burner pans in ½-inch increments, making it much easier to get the right fit for a custom-built fire pit.

Our custom flat burner pans feature:

• 14-gauge 304 stainless steel construction
• Custom sizing
• Welded stainless steel gas inlet nipple
• Weep holes for drainage
• Removable design for easier access below the pan

Step 4: Install the Gas Supply and Valve

Your gas supply enters the cavity underneath the burner pan and connects to your fire pit valve and burner assembly.

Keeping the burner pan near the top creates a convenient open area underneath it for these connections.

The exact gas components will depend on whether you're using natural gas or propane and whether you're building a match-lit, push-button, or electronic ignition system.

Always use gas components rated for the application and follow the burner manufacturer's installation requirements, local codes, and required ventilation specifications. Gas connections should be installed and tested by a qualified professional where required.

Step 5: Secure the Installation Collar

With the fire pit structure built, position the Installation Collar around the inside of the opening.

Measure down approximately 3 inches from the finished top and keep the collar level around the entire fire pit.

Secure the collar to the inside of the fire pit structure using fasteners appropriate for your construction material.

Take your time with this step. A level collar means a level burner pan.

Step 6: Drop the Flat Burner Pan Into Place

Once the Installation Collar is secured, the custom flat burner pan simply drops into the opening and rests on the collar.

This is one of the biggest advantages of the system.

The burner pan doesn't have to be permanently built into the fire pit. It can be lifted out when access to the interior of the fire pit is needed.

This is especially useful on fire pits with capstone that extends inward over the opening, where installing a conventional burner pan after construction can be difficult.

Step 7: Install the Burner

Install your stainless steel burner on the burner pan and connect it to the gas supply according to the burner and gas-control manufacturer's instructions.

Fire Pit Outfitter offers a variety of burner styles, including:

• Round burners
• Penta burners
• Torpedo Penta burners
• Linear burners
• Custom burners

Choosing the right burner size is important for achieving the flame pattern you want without overcrowding the burner pan.

Step 8: Add Lava Rock or Fire Glass

Once the gas system has been properly installed and tested, finish the top of the fire pit with your approved fire media.

Depending on the burner system, you can use materials such as lava rock or fire glass.

The flat burner pan supports the media right where you need it rather than requiring you to fill the entire interior of the fire pit.

Follow the burner manufacturer's instructions for the correct amount and depth of fire media and make sure burner ports and required ventilation areas remain properly configured.

Why We Like This Method

Using a custom flat burner pan with an Installation Collar solves several common problems when building a gas fire pit.

It gives the burner pan a strong support system, eliminates the need to fill the entire fire pit with unnecessary material, creates an open cavity for gas components, and makes the burner pan removable for future access.

It also works especially well for custom projects because the burner pan can be built to fit the fire pit rather than designing the entire fire pit around a standard-size pan.

The Basic Design

Think of the finished fire pit in layers:

Finished fire pit cap or top

↓ approximately 3 inches

Burner + fire glass or lava rock

Custom flat stainless steel burner pan

Installation Collar supporting the pan

↓

Open cavity for gas valve, flex lines and connections

↓

Gas supply

It's a simple design that makes building and servicing a custom gas fire pit much easier.

Building a Custom Gas Fire Pit? We Can Help.

Every custom fire pit is a little different.

That's why Fire Pit Outfitter offers custom stainless steel burner pans, Installation Collars, burners, flex lines, valves, fittings, and complete gas fire pit