What do I need to do to get my gas fire pit running again after it sat unused all winter?
In Candler, natural-gas mains reach parts of Enka-Candler while plenty of Hominy Valley and Pisgah Highway properties run propane, so know your pit's fuel before startup. Clear the spider-clogged burner and venturi, then either check the buried line and ignition or gauge the propane tank and inspect the hose and regulator before lighting.
Gas main or propane tank?
Candler straddles the line. Natural-gas service reaches the Enka-Candler side, but out toward Hominy Valley, Sand Hill, and the Pisgah Highway area a lot of homes still run on propane. That decides your spring checklist. A hard-piped pit means no tank, but a buried line, a shutoff cock, and an ignition module to inspect; a propane pit means gauging the tank and checking the hose and regulator for cold-weather cracks and rodent chew. Confirm your fuel before you start troubleshooting.
Clean-burning matters in the bowl
Hominy Valley sits in a natural bowl that traps air, which is exactly why clean-burning appliances are worth the extra care here. A burner clogged with overwintered spider nests, or lava rock piled over the ports, throws soot and an uneven flame that lingers in the still valley air. Brush the ports clear, blow out the venturi tube, and re-spread the media evenly so the pit runs clean instead of smoking. The fast-growing subdivisions here often came with basic setups that reward this attention.
15 minutes west, licensed
We're 15 minutes west of Emma Rd. Whether the pit runs on the natural-gas main or a propane tank, the buried outdoor line is licensed work, permitted with Buncombe County and pressure-tested. A handyman legally can't connect it to fuel. If the flame won't clean up, call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Candler
We install and service fireplaces throughout Candler and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- What should I check before lighting my gas fireplace for the first time each fall?
- How do I winterize my gas fire pit at the end of the season?
- How do I light the pilot on my gas fire pit?
- Should I leave the propane tank hooked up to my fire pit between uses?
- How do I use the push-button or electronic ignition on a gas fire pit?

