Your Choice of Fuel For Your Gas Fire Pit Installation Nashville - Propane Vs Methane

 We all at some time in our lives gathered around a bonfire or a Fire Pit Installation Nashville   and toasted marshmallows or a bar-b-que grill cooking hot-dogs or hamburgers with friends and family.

However, the risk from forest fires has precipitated authorities across the USA to introduce burning bans. Many states have extended Outdoor Fire Pits in Nashville  bans during different seasons. Although primarily aimed at landowners, they can be extended to your backyard. However, you can still enjoy the warmth of a fire pit without running foul of the authorities by converting to gas and eliminating wood.

Other considerations of burning gas compared to wood is convenience. It is much easier to light a gas fire pit compared to lighting a wood fire pit or fire bowl.

Another factor is eliminating the need to store a wood supply. Wood is extremely bulky and to some people a wood supply is not aesthetically pleasing.

The final nail in the wooden coffin is finding a reliable source of suitable hard wood at an economical price.

So let's take a look at the gas fuel alternatives to wood.

Physical Characteristics of Methane and Propane

The gas supply piped through the gas main to properties is ninety five (95) % Methane. The other five (5) % is an added odorant called Mercaptan that gives off a pungent smell to enable leak detection.

Raw Natural Gas is a mixture of gases with Methane being the largest constituent part. The other gases include Propane, Butane and Ethane, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen, Hydrogen Sulphide and some trace inert gases. There is also a quantity of water which has to be removed to prevent corrosion in the pipe line. In the Raw Natural Gas processing the Propane and Butane are collected.

Methane (CH4) is a colorless, odorless gas that is lighter than air. Methane can be stored in gasometers to regulate the pressure in the pipe line.

Propane is supplied as a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) because when pressure is applied to the propane gas it liquifies. It is produced from Raw Natural Gas processing as above and from petroleum refining. It is best known being supplied in 20 lb propane cylinders from your local hardware store and in rural areas in stationary white steel tanks replenished by local propane distributors.

Propane (C3H8) is similar to methane in that it is a clear odorless gas to which is added an odorant ethanethiol but unlike Methane, Propane is heavier than air.

Energy Content Compared

One (1) cu. ft. of Propane contains 2,516 British Thermal Units (BTU's) of energy.

One (1) cu. ft. of Methane contains 1,030 (BTU's) of energy so Propane contains almost 2.5 times the amount of energy than Methane.

Cost Comparison

This is difficult to determine due to regional price variations however as Propane prices have increased, Methane is more economical than Propane even though you would burn more Methane for the same heat output.

Burner Type

The burner sits inside a burner pan at the top of the fire pit.

Two types of gas burner are available:

1. Stainless steel ring burner sometimes referred to as candle flame burners and are normally fitted to gas fire pits that can be bought in major retail stores or online.

2. Vortex burners that produce a taller more realistic flame are more efficient than ring burners. They can be purchased from speciality suppliers.

Portable versus Static

Now that we have got over the technical details lets examine what options are available. We can categorize gas fire pits into portable and static.

Portable

1. Self contained gas fire pits using a single 20 lb cylinder stored in the metal base of the fire pit. Heat Output is from 26,000 - 40,000 BTU's. Price varies depending on finish of the fire pit top and other features including eletronic ignition, hidden controls etc. Weight excluding cylinder between 97 lbs - 130 lbs. Price Range - $300.00 up to $1,000.00.

2. Patio Heaters with Heat Output of 46,000 BTU's standing 87" tall. The base is covered by a cylindrical cover that hides the 20 lb propane cylinder. The cover lifts up to change the propane cylinder. They have piezo ignition, wheels for mobility and a tip over safety device. The heated area is 18 feet diameter. Prices Range from $200.00 up to $600.00.

Static Firepits

Static fire pits can be fueled by piped supply of either Methane or Propane and also by 20 lb propane cylinders. All piped fire pits should be installed by a certified technician.

1. Converting an existing Fire Brick or Stone Fire Pit.

To do this you will need the following:

a] 2" deep burner pan slightly less in diameter than the opening at the top. Pans are supplied in 24" dia., 30" dia. and 36" dia with a Price Range of $290.00 and $450.00

b] A burner with heat output to match the burner pan at 60K BTU's, 120K BTU's and 180K BTU's with Price Range from $190.00 to $390.00

c] Gas Connection package with valves

d] Diffusing material, Lava Rocks, Fire Glass, Fire Beads and or Fire Log Kits.

2. Metal Framed Fire Pit Kits.

Frames come in octagonal, round, square, rectangular or custom shapes covered with fire proof concrete fiber board, burner pan and burner, all gas connections. For extra cost your choice of capping stone and side finishes are available. Because of almost unlimited variations we cannot give a Price Range.

3. Concrete Ring Kits.

Kits come in octagonal, round, square and rectangular in shape with a choice of size. Assembly at the site is required and finishing with a capping stone and side material. All burner pans, burners, gas connections and diffusing materials are supplied. Price Range is $2,000.00 up to $4,600.00

4. Pre-engineered Fire Pits, and Fire Hearths.

Pre-engineered gas fire pits can be purchased in a wide varieties of shapes, materials, finishes with choices of diffusing materials and ignition systems. Price Range $1,850.00 up to $5,500.00

5. Conversion artistic steel fire bowls.

All sculptural fire bowls made from 1/4" steel have a 1 1/2" drain hole in the bottom. A gas conversion package consisting of a burner plate and burner can be purchased. The gas supply is fed up through the drain hole to the burner. The package comes with all the gas supply valves and flexible connections together with the diffusing material of your choice. Price Range $749.00 up to $2,500.00