When it comes to outdoor fire features, there are few noteworthy selections available, and not too many can compare to the beauty and performance of a well-constructed concrete fire pit. A delightful blend of form and function, concrete fire pits showcase a cutting-edge appearance combined with durability to last a lifetime. It's no wonder concrete fire pits are rapidly becoming a popular choice and a favorite trend among designers. Starfire Designs introduces two collections that focus on architectural influence and are sure to turn heads and become the focal point of any outdoor design. The Beton Series and Gravity Series each provide their own unique interpretation of sophisticated elegance while delivering a luxurious fire feature experience. Let's take a look at what makes these two fire feature collections so special, and how each series uniquely offers its own artistic delivery of mesmerizing flames.
Beton: An Introduction to Concrete Fire Pits
The Beton Series comes equipped with a CSA Certified ignition system and easy to use controls. A liquid propane tank cover is available as an add-on accessory.
The Beton Series and Gravity Series both offer a gorgeous selection of concrete fire pits that come in various shapes and sizes. The Beton Series is offered in a round and rectangular model, both of which stand at about knee level, providing the perfect height to prop your feet up on the edge or an unobstructed view of your friends and family on the opposite side. The generously sized tabletop provides ample space to keep your beverages and favorite snacks within reach, and the easy-to-use control options allow you to power on and off with the push of a button as well as adjust the flame height to your desired ambiance. The Beton comes in a natural deep gray finish highlighting its classic edges and accentuating its flames while creating an extravagant scene of contrasting beauty.
High-quality components and materials are a key factor for a great fire feature and it's important to note that not all concrete fire pits are created equal. The fire pits typically seen at home improvement stores don't include the same quality components and building material you'll see with the Beton Series which uses only high-quality components. Its premium engineered GFRC concrete base uses the perfect ratio of fiber-glass and concrete for optimum tensile strength, while the high-performance 304-grade stainless steel burner and pan provide excellent corrosion resistance. Although priced higher than its box store counterparts, the Beton Series consists of only the best components and delivers luxury and performance that will prove to be a worthy investment for years to come.
The Beton Series comes with a specially rated stainless steel burner that provides a generous amount of heat at 65,000 BTU, outperforming similar fire pits which only offer a range of about 45,000-50,000 BTUs. Beton Series fire pits ship ready-to-use with propane (tank and fuel are sold separately), and also includes a conversion kit for natural gas for added convenience. Although a standard 20 lb liquid propane tank will not fit inside the Beton's base, an optional LP tank cover is available with a multifunctional design that offers the convenience of hiding the LP tank while also serving as a side table or stool. Other optional accessories also available as upgrades for the Beton Series are a stainless steel burner cover (sold separately) that sits flush over the burner providing a streamlined look while protecting your investment and a glass wind guard (also sold separately) to ensure that the flames continuously dance despite windy conditions. Accessories aside, the standard configuration and quality construction of Beton Series fire pits outshine the competition and make it easy to enjoy an elegant ambiance without overwhelming yourself with multiple options.
Gravity: A Fully Customizable Concrete Fire Pit
The Gravity Series shown here in white, features patent-pending leveling feet delivering a gravity-defying appearance!
The Gravity Series offers a more customizable approach, providing a choice of the highest quality components and features made in the USA. Gravity Series fire pits are available in round, square, rectangle, and linear models of varying color choices, each one offering its own unique setting. Round and square models are available in the perfect sizes for intimate gatherings and smaller spaces, whereas the rectangular models come in sizes more suitable for larger gatherings and a more open space. Linear model fire pits feature a sleek and slim design while providing enough heat for larger gatherings. All Gravity Series fire pits stand at 15.25" tall and feature patent-pending leveling feet raising the height to 16" while stabilizing the fire pit on uneven surfaces and delivering a gravity-defying appearance--very chic!
The stainless steel pan and burners for the round and square models provide up to 125,000 BTUs of heat while the linear models offer up to either 50,000 or 75,000 BTU depending on the selected size. If you're looking to provide heat for a grander gathering, the larger rectangular models provide up to 175,000 BTU, perfect for keeping your guests nice and warm. Gravity Series fire pits offer a choice of ignitions, ranging from the traditional match lit option to an ultra-luxurious Electronic High/Low model that can power your fire feature on and off as well as control the flame height, a convenient option only available with this specific ignition. The different configurations are available for both liquid propane and natural gas. Gravity Series fire pits are also available in a selection of colors, each one displaying a different type of mystique and elegance. Whistle-free flex lines and a pre-installed key valve are a few of the other features included with the Gravity Series fire pits.
When it comes to providing high-quality components and performance, the Gravity Series has no shortcomings. This USA-made fire pit uses the best quality 304-grade stainless steel for its burner and pan and utilizes the highest quality building material. Although the Beton Series fire pits are priced more competitively, the expert construction of the Gravity Series utilizes the highest quality GFRC mixture which produces a smooth texture that provides an almost euphoric feeling to the touch. The Gravity Series also features fully customizable options and the durability and craftsmanship you've come to expect from USA-made products. The Beton Series and Gravity Series each have their own appeal, catering to varying needs in a fire feature and depending on the components and material you're looking for, both collections have great qualities to offer. Now that we've covered the unique elements of the Beton Series and Gravity Series, let's dive into the superb common features they share.
High-Quality Construction to Last a Lifetime
Glass fiber reinforced concrete, commonly abbreviated as GFRC, is one of the most popular and innovative building materials today. The process of reinforcing concrete with glass fibers results in a much lighter and flexible material without compromising durability. In fact, glass fiber reinforced concrete has a higher flexural and tensile strength than standard concrete, making it much stronger. GFRC is made of minerals and will not burn, but acts as a thermal regulator when exposed to flame. Not only will GFRC not burn, but it will also protect the materials behind it from the heat of the flame. GFRC also provides a smoother feel to touch while displaying a rich and elegant texture. Not to mention that it is low-maintenance, weather- and fire-resistant, as well as environmentally friendly, making it the ideal material for building the Beton and Gravity Series fire pits.
Steel pans and burners are also an important part of any fire feature. The steel pans and burners for the Beton Series and Gravity Series are constructed with high-quality 304 grade stainless steel. 304 grade stainless steel is the most common form of stainless steel used around the world, and for good reason. It is very durable, easy to sanitize, has excellent corrosion resistance, and is used in a plethora of applications from kitchen appliances to architectural trim and even automotive and aerospace structural use. 304 grade stainless steel is not only durable and easy to clean but also displays a mirror-like sheen when polished. Compared to regular steel which typically only has a few years before succumbing to rust or warping issues, stainless steel is incredibly durable and resistant. In fact, the stainless steel components included in both the Gravity and Beton Series are backed with a 10-year warranty. Although a bit more expensive than standard steel, it's not hard to see why 304 grade stainless steel is the perfect material choice for building high-quality steel pans and burners.
Glass fiber reinforced concrete and high-quality 304-gauge stainless steel components are just part of what makes a quality fire pit. Ignition systems are also an important though often overlooked element of a fire pit. Now that we've covered the quality construction and stainless steel components for both the Beton and the Gravity Series, let's take a look at how we can light some beautiful dancing flames with each of these fire pits.
Light My Fire
The Gravity and Beton Collections come equipped with a match lit ignition, but is customizable with upgrades such as a CSA Certified Ignition depending on your needs.
When it comes to electrical and mechanical components, either a CSA or UL certification reflects the highest safety standards. A UL certification applies only to the United States while a CSA certification is globally recognized. A CSA or UL certification is required for commercial installations in most areas, and we encourage you to check your local laws. Both the Beton Series and Gravity Series include or have an option for a CSA-certified ignition system ensuring that the most demanding safety standards have been met.
The Beton comes equipped with an easy-to-use CSA Certified battery-operated push button spark ignition. Just a push of the button and you'll find yourself enjoying a delightful evening with some brilliant flames and that added sense of relaxation knowing that your fire pit ignition meets stringent safety standards. Another neat feature of the Beton ignition system is the ability to adjust the flame height with just a turn of the knob conveniently located on the control panel. Turn the knob to the high setting when entertaining a group of friends or switch it down to low to create a more intimate setting for that romantic evening with your significant other. Either way, Beton Series fire pits are more than capable of providing an ideal ambiance and a convenient ignition for your fire pit needs.
The Gravity Series, on the other hand, offers four customization options for lighting those flames. In its standard configuration, the Gravity comes equipped with a match lit ignition. This is the traditional method of igniting a fire feature where the flames are lit manually by holding a long lighter over the burner while slowly turning the gas valve to the "On" position. The wonderful thing about a match lit system is that it has very few moving parts, meaning less maintenance is needed to operate at optimal performance. If you're looking for a more convenient option, the Gravity Series can also be configured with a Starfire Designs Power Glow electronic ignition system, which eliminates the use of long lighters altogether. This ignition system can be hooked up to a wall switch, set up with a timer, a remote control, or even controlled using a mobile app--how convenient is that! A CSA Certified Electronic On/Off ignition is also available, which is similar to the Power Glow system but with CSA Certification for superior safety. For those who want more luxurious convenience, an HPC CSA Certified High/Low option might be right up your alley. This offers the same features as the CSA On/Off system with the addition of a handheld remote that not only lets you turn your fire feature on and off, but also gives you the ability to adjust the flame height to a high or low setting. All ignition systems are available for configuration with the Gravity Series for use with Liquid Propane or Natural Gas.
The Right Fire Pit For You
The Beton Series and Gravity Series both provide high-quality fire features for your specific needs.
The Beton Series and Gravity Series both offer extravagant fire pits that are designed for a memorable experience night after night. Providing top-notch quality and design, both collections perform at a high level and are near the top of their respective classes. For fine luxury without having to choose specific configurations, you can turn to the Beton Series. With round and square models available and two different size options, the Beton provides basic choices depending on your needs while outperforming similar fire pits in terms of BTU output in a worry-free package. If you prefer a more customizable approach, the Gravity Series would better suit your requirements. With selectable options for color, shapes, sizes, and ignition type, the Gravity Series has a plethora of options to choose from and is sure to provide you with years of enjoyment meeting your required essentials. Whether it be the traditional Beton Series or the ultra-classy and USA-made Gravity Series, either collection is sure to provide you with an excellent experience and its own unique interpretation of sophisticated elegance and artistic delivery of mesmerizing flames.
If you'd like more information on either the Beton Series or the Gravity Series, please be sure to check out each products page. We encourage you to utilize the augmented reality (AR) feature on the product page for a better idea of how each fire pit series will fit in your space. If you would like any assistance in selecting which model is best for you, please give us a call at (866) 578-8538, chat us live on the site, or contact us here.
Main Image: The Beton Series (left) shown in rectangle model and the Gravity Series (right) shown in Natural Gray linear model.
