How do I winterize a gas fire pit?
Shut off the gas and let the pit cool, clean out ash, leaves, and debris, dry the burner and media thoroughly, then cover it tightly or move a portable one under shelter. If it runs off a portable propane cylinder, disconnect and store the tank upright outdoors. If it's hard-plumbed to a gas or propane line, use the appliance shutoff and leave the piping to us.
Get it clean and dry first
Water left inside a fire pit over winter is what wrecks it, so winterizing is really a drying job. With the gas off and the pit cool, clear out ash, leaves, and any debris that traps moisture, and pull or brush off wet lava rock or glass media so nothing sits soaked against the burner.
Make sure the burner ports are clear and dry and that water can drain out rather than pool in the pan. A pit put away clean and dry comes out in spring ready to light.
Protect the burner and igniter
The two parts that fail over a wet mountain winter are the burner and the igniter. Freeze-thaw plus standing water rusts the burner and corrodes the electronic igniter's contacts, which is why so many 'it won't light in the spring' calls trace back to a winter spent uncovered.
A snug cover is the main defense; for extra insurance, a burner cap or keeping the ignition module dry and shielded goes a long way. If your pit is built into an outdoor kitchen or hardscape, cover the burner area specifically.
Handle the fuel right
For a portable propane cylinder, disconnect it, cap the valve, and store it upright outside — never in a garage, basement, or shed. For a fire pit hard-plumbed to a buried propane system or a natural-gas line, don't touch the piping; just close the appliance's shutoff valve.
That hard-plumbed gas connection is licensed work in North Carolina — running, capping, or reworking it is our job, and we permit and pressure-test what we run. Not sure which setup you have? Call (828) 545-0525.
Related questions
- Can a gas fire pit stay outside all winter?
- Should I cover my gas fire pit when it is not in use?
- Should I disconnect the propane tank from my fire pit for the winter?
- How do I keep rain and water out of a fire pit burner?
- How do I protect an outdoor fire pit's igniter from moisture?
- How often should a gas fireplace be serviced?
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