Concrete Firering

Model FCB3/T-36/18 concrete fire ring, shown with optional Model GSW-2 swivel cooking grate insert (order separately). The swivel grate can be positioned anywhere in a 180 degree arc … over the fire (left) to completely out of the fire (right). The handle is never over the fire.

• This concrete molded campfire ring has the look of mortared brick. But it’s a single unit design using Type III Portland cement with 3/8” steel rebar reinforcement throughout the walls. It is molded to ASTM Specification #C150. Compressive strength exceeds 5000 psi. The brick-look exterior includes a tan coloring agent integrated into the mixing process so it won’t fade. A clear, gloss acrylic water sealer is applied to the outside surface.

• Just set the ring on the ground or other surface. No anchors are required. The tall ring will keep fires in check and also helps accommodate persons in wheelchairs.

• You must fill the ring with course aggregate to just below the drain/draft holes. This required fill protects existing surfaces such as pavers or asphalt from heat, and also insulates the ground to reduce the chance of root fires in densely wooded areas. The fill also raises the firebed to the correct height for ADA compliance. (Note: the warranty is voided if the ring is not filled to the proper height.)

The Swivel Grate post insert is installed inside and under the firering wall. Then the ring is filled with aggregate to raise the firebed. The weight of the concrete ring and the aggregate fill secures the Swivel Grate in place.

• Optional: Model GSW-2 Swivel Cooking Grate And Post Insert. The single level cooking grate is 300 sq. inches (15” x 20” nom.). The Swivel Grate meets ADA guidelines for one-hand operation and requires less than 5 lbs. of force to operate. The single level grate will swivel 180 degrees. The handle is never over the fire. The Swivel Grate is mounted on top of a steel post. Part of the post base plate is inserted under the concrete ring wall. The aggregate fill covers the remaining base plate. The weight of the ring and fill keeps the post in place and secure. The vertical steel channel post includes one hole in line with the firering’s drain/draft holes. Line up the holes and bolt the swivel grate post through the concrete ring for added security (use up to ½” diameter bolt – not included).

• Start your campfires quickly with Pilot Rock Firestarters.

	Model FCB3 Concrete Firering Burn Tests Concrete and fire don’t always mix well. They can be made to coexist if designed properly. To be sure we had a concrete firering that would hold up to traditional use as a campground firering, we put our design to extreme tests. On two different days we tested the same ring. The ring was filled with gravel to just below the draft holes as required. A wood fire was built on top of this fill. Then we stoked the fire to an extreme size (do not conduct this type of fire test on your own!) filling the ring with as much wood as it would hold.  We kept the fire stoked and burning at this size for 4-1/2 hours each day of the testing. Then we let the fire burn down on its own.   These tests were meant to deliberately stress the concrete ring far beyond what would be normal in the campground. We took regular temperature readings at designated points around the outside wall of the ring.  During both tests recorded outside wall temperatures exceeded 400 degrees. Inside wall temperatures exceeded 1150 degrees during the tests. The fire temperature was over 1500 degrees (the maximum reading on our equipment). We deliberately forced the ring to these temperatures with our extreme tests. A normal campfire would not approach these high temperatures.         During the first test some hairline cracks did form in the wall, as you would expect. These cracks did not get worse during the second test. There was no damage to the ring that would compromise the structural integrity of the unit.  Therefore, you will notice some cracks develop in the concrete after exposure to heat. This is normal and does not affect the use of the unit. Remember, our tests were extreme and the ring withstood the heat. Note: Our warranty does not cover overbuilt and extreme fires. Do not conduct these fire tests on your own.