Reasons Why Fire Pit Won’t Stay Lit And Troubleshooting Tips

Fire pits have been a popular backyard accessory for decades. They can be an attractive, inexpensive way to add ambiance and warmth to your outdoor space. But fire pits need tending just like any other fire, so they won’t stay lit on their own.

Here are some of the most common reasons why a fire pit might not stay lit and how you can troubleshoot them.

Your propane tank is running out of gas.

The propane tank is empty. If the firepit has a problem, check the propane tank first. Make sure there’s enough gas to keep the firepit going overnight.

If you have experience handling propane tanks, you can estimate how much gas is left by lifting the tank and determining how hefty it is.

Debris is blocking the burner.

Your fire pit will not stay lit if there is something blocking the flame. The dirt, leaves, or even small insects might block the burner. Sometimes, this makes it hard for the flame to be consistent.

When you put out your fire pit after it has cooled down, take time to clean the burner ring. Cleaning it can make a big difference in how well your fire pit works. The cleaner it is, the easier it will be for your fire pit to work well and stay lit longer.

It is also possible that you have a cover on your firepit that helps keep bugs away from being able to get into the opening of your pot. If you do not have one of these covers already then I recommend getting one.

There is a kink in the supply line.

If your firepit isn’t burning consistently, it’s possible that there is a kink in the fuel line. Your firepit may not light at all if this occurs. Check the supply hose if your burner is clean and the tank is full.

Make certain it isn’t bent. If it is, straighten and reposition the hose so that it has adequate space to extend. If your supply hose needs to be replaced, go ahead and do so!

Gas is leaking from your fire pit.

There could be a gas firepit leak. The leaking propane can cause the flames to burn at varying rates. If there is a hole, you’ll probably need to tighten it or replace the line. This will guarantee that the fire burns uniformly and prevent fires and explosions from occurring. If you think your gas fire pit is faulty, stop using it immediately and correct it before using it again.

There is still air in the supply line.

If there is air in your fire hose, you will have trouble with the fire. It might be hard to start and it might go out. You can fix this by running gas through the hose. Make sure that there are no open flames near the gas because this could cause an explosion.

The control valve has been damaged.

If you checked for all the problems and still found nothing, then the problem is probably in the control valve. You can buy a new one if your firepit is new. But if it’s old, it will be hard to find a replacement. If this happens, you should buy a new propane firepit instead of trying to fix it.

What to do when fire pit is not working

The other day, I found out that my fire pit was not working. I had just purchased it a few months ago and now it is unusable. What do you do when your fire pit is not working? 

Step 1. Turn off the gas supply.

To work on your fire pit, turn off the gas. If it is fueled by propane, close the valve and disconnect the fuel line from the tank.

Step 2. Full Tank

Check the fuel on the tank. It might be empty. Low levels of fuel can make it hard for the flame to stay lit and keep going.

Always open the valve on the tank first, and then on your fire pit, or else a safety valve in your tank could stop the flow of gas to your fire pit.

Step 3. Ignitors

Make sure the ignitor has a spark. Some of them are operated on batteries. If it is, remove the button and search for the battery. Replace it with a new one, double-checking that the polarity is correct. Make sure any wires between your switch and your ignitor have been reconnected if necessary.

Step 4. Smelling gas?

If you detect gas, it’s a sign of a leak. Turn off the gas as soon as possible. Check for cracks or breaks in the supply line. Use a liquid to track leaks in pipes, valves, and fittings.

Apply the liquid to these areas of the pipe system and slowly turn on your gas valve to check for leaks.

If your fire pit is not working, you may fix it by looking at all of the elements I’ve mentioned. It’s conceivable that the problem is with one of these components, which are out of order, so you should check them if your fire pit isn’t operating correctly.

Step 5. Dirty burners

Keep your burner ports clean. Blow them out or vacuum them. Remove the lava rocks, then the dirt will come out too.

Step 6. Thermocouple

Some fire pits are messy. When the pilot light is on, this is what keeps the gas valve open. Check that all suppliers are connected properly and securely.

Make sure they aren’t too tight, but not overly loose either. If you can’t repair it yourself, you’ll need to hire a professional specialist technician.

Step 7. Whistle Sound

You have fire. Now it whistles. You must bend the lines so that they do not whistle. Alternatively, you might wish to utilize a bigger-size regulator on the gas line to prevent too much gas from coming out and creating a sound similar to this “whistling.”

You can watch this video here for a more detailed walkthrough: