cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
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Post by cardiobill on Aug 24, 2013 19:49:37 GMT -5
We have a decorative table with a small fire feature in the center. It has a propane burner built in. Currently there is pumice and some fake logs. Is it safe to put any tumbled rock in there? I think I have heard of people who had rocks explode in a campfire? Is obsidian OK? I have seen glass used but I was wondering about rocks. Pic below  Thanks Bill |
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Post by Jugglerguy on Aug 24, 2013 19:55:28 GMT -5
I don't know the answer to your question. I do know that I used to have a fire pit that was just a circle of rocks that were a little smaller than basketballs. After a few years, many had split from the heat. I think it might be from moisture in the rocks that makes steam when it heats up and breaks the rocks. I never had one explode, although I've heard the same thing as you did.
I'm curious why you would want to put tumbled rocks in there. Even if they didn't break, they'd get all charred, wouldn't they? Or does propane burn clean enough to avoid that?
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
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Post by grizman on Aug 24, 2013 20:06:22 GMT -5
Not a good idea at all. f they hit you when they explode, and they will, at some point, it could be very bad. The glass in the fire tables is a very special tempered glass that will not break with the extreme temperatures. You're better off putting your polished rocks in a bowl away from the fire table. P.S. make sure no one thinks that you have put out "rock candy" for their chewing enjoyment!
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
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Post by cardiobill on Aug 24, 2013 20:07:28 GMT -5
Rob Never thought about them getting charred. The glass I have seen in fire features seem to do OK. But taht is a good point. Why tumbled stones? The real reason is I have so much of it  thanks Bill |
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 881
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Post by cardiobill on Aug 24, 2013 20:08:40 GMT -5
Thanks grizman. Exploding rocks are the last thing I need on my patio.
Bill
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Post by Jugglerguy on Aug 24, 2013 20:11:47 GMT -5
I've seen lots of fire pits made of rocks like the one I used to have. I've never heard of a rock exploding and hurting anyone. Most of mine were cracked and broken though, so heat does break them. I wonder if just the size of the rocks that make up a fire ring make them safer since the pieces that break off are usually big and heavy. Would smaller rocks like your tumbled rocks be more dangerous because they're lighter and more likely to fly? Then again, I've never heard of anyone clearing the gravel away before making a fire pit.
I'm curious to know if anyone has actually heard of an accident from exploding rocks, or if this is just an old wive's tale.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller 
Member since April 2012
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Post by Mark K on Aug 26, 2013 20:53:15 GMT -5
If you have one go, you will know it.
You don't want any part of it.
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Post by Pat on Aug 26, 2013 22:07:21 GMT -5
Don't know, but suspect it is a bad idea.
Why would you want to put pretty tumbled rocks in there? They'll just get all sooty and black.
Reminds me of the time I thought putting pretty tumbled rocks in the soap dish to keep the bar of soap out of the puddle. Soon the rocks were all soapy. What a mess!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Aug 27, 2013 1:19:02 GMT -5
If you put most agates and about all flints they will divide like an atom. Our coastal plain cherts and silicified coral send sharp chips off with ricochet sounds. I will put one in the wood stove to
mess w/people visiting.
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cardiobill
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 881
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Post by cardiobill on Aug 27, 2013 7:55:19 GMT -5
Thanks all Clearly seems like a bad idea. Glad I asked before the rock shrapnel started flying Bill |
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