Ok, so you’ve seen sand in the bottom of a Fire Pit and wondered…….but why?

Well you’ve come to the right place! Here we are going to explain why sand is used so that you can decide if it applies to your Fire Pit.

We are referring mainly to wood and charcoal fired Metal Cast Iron fire pits that come in all shapes and sizes but more commonly a bowl. Sand is not required in a propane or natural gas fire pit.

Having a layer of sand inside the bottom of your cast iron fire pit protects the metal finis. It helps dissipate the heat evenly when the fire reaches high temperatures thus preventing damage to the metal and its finish.

Some manufacturers recommend using a few inches of sand in the bottom so it's a good idea to check your fire pit instructions and consider:-

What type of Sand for a Fire Pit?

We recommend Silica Sand, the type you find in construction or when you’re having a bad day on the golf course and land your ball in the bunker!

Non Silica Sand often contains more impurities which makes it more chemically reactive. It is usually darker in color however shades of white, pink, green and black can be found depending on where its originated from.

If you decide to use sand in your fire pit you must avoid getting it wet while the fire pit is not being used, wet sand causes the metal to corrode. For this reason most people avoid using sand and the hassle of keeping it clean. 

How to Stop Fire Pit Rust

• Keep it clean! Ash, Wood and Charcoal absorb moisture so avoid leaving it in the fire pit when not in use.
• Use a well-fitting cover and store indoors if possible.
• Apply a light coat of Cast Iron Oil.

Should I Paint my Fire Pit?

Some Fire Pits come with a finish of paint however, sooner or later it will burn off from use and need repainting. If you like the painted finish and don’t mind maintaining it then we recommend using high temperature such as Rustoleum.

Alternatively, if you like bare metal finish you can apply a light coat of Cast Iron Oil to keep the rust at bay.

Conclusion:

If your Fire Pit is:

• lightweight and painted fire pits then Yes -we recommend to use Sand.
• Heavy duty Cast Iron and not painted fire pits: it is not necessary to use sand.
• Fire pit with holes in the bottom for the purpose of airflow then Do Not use sand.

Check out some of our Other Related Articles:

How to Store a Fire Pit Through the Winter

What to Do With Ashes From Fire Pit?