General Guidelines for FirePits:

For longevity of the Rasmussen Logs, FireBalls, FireStones, or FireShapes (herein called "Objects"), direct harsh flame must not touch the Objects, as this can cause early failure of the ceramic concrete castings. The following installation guidelines will "soften" the flame, provide a better flame, and improve the life of both the burner and Objects.

1. The 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). 
   1. Burners which are designed with jets or nozzles to shoot flames upward, such as the Warming Trends CROSSFIRE, are not suitable for use with our products.
       
2. The burner should be covered with volcanic ash (or fire glass) 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 FireShapes. The volcanic ash (or fire glass) 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 and fire glass do not clump like sand can do (resulting in high flame in one area, low on another), and their porosity allows for better mixing with secondary combustion air for a somewhat cleaner burn.
   1. The Warming Trends CROSSFIRE and HPC TORPEDO burners are not suitable for use with our products. Besides the jets pointing upward, the CROSSFIRE instructions state that "Burner should be covered by approved media up to but no more than 1/2" above the jets." This restriction in their, and others', design results in too harsh of a flame which will damage our Objects.
       
3. Match lighting is preferable for outdoor FirePits, due to uncontrollable and unpredictable weather issues (wind, rain, snow).
   1. If you desire to use a control system, do not use a standing pilot control, as it will provide you with nuisance shut down. Use a pilot-on-demand electronic ignition control.
   2. 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. Also, control components must be protected from any water intrusion.
       
4. Objects can be safely used outdoors, however care must be taken to avoid "freeze/thaw" cycles by either covering or removing the Objects during seasonal periods when this can occur. Just as with sidewalks and streets, freeze/thaw will cause cracks and a breaking down of the ceramic bonds in the materials, resulting in crumbling. This is not covered by our warranty.