If your gas fire pit won’t stay lit, the cause is usually one of five things: the thermocouple is not getting hot enough, media is smothering the pilot, wind is blowing the pilot out, gas pressure is low, or a new line still has air in it. Most have safe fixes you can do yourself. A gas smell, a damaged hose or a fuel change is a job for a licensed gas fitter. This guide works symptom by symptom using the troubleshooting tables in HPC Fire’s push button flame sensing manual and electronic ignition manual.
Before you start, turn off the gas and let the burner cool before touching media, the pilot or the thermocouple. HPC’s manual warns never to use a fire pit in an enclosed space, and it should never run under a low roof or covered patio unless the product and your local code allow it.
Why a gas fire pit won’t stay lit: symptom by symptom
For how each ignition type works during start up, see match lit vs electronic ignition fire pits.
The fire pit won’t light at all
Check that the propane tank has gas and its valve is open, and that any upstream shutoff is on. On a new installation the line is full of air, and HPC says it can take several attempts to purge. If the burner fails to light, HPC says to wait five minutes for gas to clear before trying again.
The pilot lights but goes out when you release the knob
This is the classic fire pit thermocouple symptom. The thermocouple must heat up before the safety valve stays open, and HPC says to hold the knob in for 30 seconds after the pilot lights. If that fails, HPC lists a small pilot flame from a dirty pilot orifice, a dirty thermocouple, or a faulty thermocouple or valve. HPC recommends brushing soot off the thermocouple about every six months, and says the pilot flame should cover 3/8 to 1/2 inch of it.
The main burner goes out after a few minutes
HPC lists water or debris in the burner, media applied wrong or too deep, wind, and improper gas pressure. Covering the pilot area or blowout box vents suffocates the pilot and shuts the pit down. Our lava rock vs fire glass guide covers depth, and our fire pit wind guard guide covers windy sites.
Weak fire pit flame or low flame on High
On propane this is often a lighting order problem. HPC says the fire pit valve must be off when you open the tank, and the tank should be opened slowly so pressure can equalize; otherwise the tank’s excess flow device can restrict gas. To reset, turn everything off, then open the tank slowly with the fire pit valve closed. HPC also lists a low tank, a pinched hose, and on natural gas, an undersized supply line. A very cold or nearly empty tank can also deliver less pressure.
Yellow flame or heavy soot
A little yellow at the tips is common in decorative flames, but a lazy, sooty flame means the burner is short of air. On propane, HPC points to a mesh spider guard or venturi blocked by grass or dirt; clean it thoroughly. A yellow flame can also mean the wrong orifice for the fuel, such as a natural gas burner on propane. Have a licensed gas fitter check that.
Popping, whistling or humming
HPC says whistling usually means the flex line is bent too sharply, and a humming propane regulator on a hot day is normal. Popping often comes from wet media: HPC says to let wet lava rock burn for 45 minutes before anyone comes within 15 feet, and never to use gravel, pebbles or river rock, which trap moisture and can fracture.
Uneven flame
Check for clogged ports, uneven media or a burner that is not level; HPC notes media strongly affects flame pattern. Brush the ports, level the pan and spread media evenly.
Igniter clicks but no spark
On HPC push button kits, check the AA battery first. If the pilot lights with a match but not the igniter, HPC lists a dirty igniter or an improper electrode gap. HPC electronic ignition systems flash an error code on the module and lock out after 15 attempts; turn the power off, wait five minutes, then restart.
Symptom, cause and fix table
| Symptom | Likely cause | Safe fix |
|---|---|---|
| Won’t light at all | Empty tank, gas off, air in new line | Check supply, retry, wait 5 minutes between tries |
| Pilot dies when knob released | Thermocouple not heated, dirty or failed | Hold 30 seconds, brush, replace if needed |
| Burner dies after minutes | Media too deep, wind, water in burner | Reset media, add wind guard, clear burner |
| Weak or low flame | Excess flow restriction, low tank, pinched hose | Valve off, open tank slowly, check hose |
| Yellow, sooty flame | Blocked intake, wrong orifice | Clean intake; gas fitter for orifice |
| Whistling | Flex line bent too sharply | Reroute with a gentler bend |
| Popping | Wet media or river rock | Burn wet lava rock 45 minutes; remove river rock |
| Igniter clicks, no spark | Dead battery, dirty igniter, bad gap | Replace battery, clean, adjust gap |
Replacement parts for common fixes
These HPC Fire items are listed in our store, priced at the time of writing. Match the part to your exact kit and fuel, or browse our HPC Fire brand page.
- HPC Fire Replacement 36 inch Thermocouple ($38.95): part 311-T/C for HPC safety pilot assemblies and EI kits.
- HPC Fire 36 inch Thermocouple Extension ($38.95): for the HPC Hot Wire Ignition series.
- Replacement Igniter for FPPK ($59.85): for HPC FPPK push button systems.
- HPC Fire 300k Pilot/Igniter Assembly ($336.30): natural gas, for On/Off or Hi/Lo electronic ignition; includes thermocouple, pilot head, pilot tube and hot wire ignition.
- HPC Fire Manual Spark Ignition Kit, Liquid Propane ($1,181.00): standing pilot with thermocouple sensing, 90,000 BTU, 9V spark igniter, for up to a 24 inch ring or 36 inch linear burner.
- HPC Round Flat Push Button Burner Kit, 18 inch ($1,501.95): CSA certified, thermocouple shuts off gas if the flame blows out.
- HPC Round Glass Wind Guard, 30 inch ($414.20): 3/16 inch tempered glass, 6 inches high.
When to stop and call a licensed gas fitter
- You smell gas. HPC says to shut off the gas, put out any flame, and if the odor continues, keep away and call your gas supplier or fire department.
- The hose is worn, abraded or damaged. Replace it only with the manufacturer’s specified hose.
- Any part has been under water. HPC says a qualified technician should inspect it and replace submerged gas controls.
- You need a propane to natural gas conversion, an orifice change or a new gas line.
HPC suggests annual service by an NFI certified gas specialist, and all gas work should follow local code.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my fire pit thermocouple is bad?
If the pilot still goes out when you release the knob after holding it 30 seconds, with a clean thermocouple and a pilot flame covering its tip, the thermocouple or valve may be faulty.
Why is my weak fire pit flame worse on propane?
Usually the tank was opened with the fire pit valve on. Turn everything off, then open the tank slowly with the fire pit valve closed, and check tank level and hose kinks.
Is a yellow flame on a gas fire pit dangerous?
A little yellow at the tips is common. Heavy soot or a lazy yellow flame suggests a blocked air intake or wrong orifice; if cleaning does not fix it, call a gas fitter.
Why won’t my gas fire pit stay lit in wind?
Gusts blow out the pilot, and the thermocouple then shuts off gas as designed. A wind guard sized to your burner pan helps, and HPC says the burner should sit at least two inches below the top of the enclosure.
For more on choosing a gas fire pit, see our fire pit buying guide. Not sure which part fits your kit? Call us at 866-777-2590, Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight, with a $200 flat rate below that. See our return and refund policy for details.
