Fire by Design Biltmore GFRC Gas Fire Bowl
SKU: APBRFB32-KITNG
- Material Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC)
Overview
The Biltmore is a wide, shallow round bowl cast in glass fiber reinforced concrete and carried on ball feet. It is made in three diameters, 32, 42 and 60 inches, so the same design can sit quietly beside a pool or anchor a large courtyard. Every bowl is sold as a complete gas fire kit with its burner, pan and ignition parts.
You choose the diameter, then the burner, either a 304 stainless steel ring or a Pro Series brass snowflake, then natural gas or propane. Ignition is the last choice: a 24VAC, 30VDC or 120V AWEIS, a battery system or a match lit key valve. The finish comes from the Biltmore color chart once your order is placed.
What's Included
- Biltmore GFRC round bowl in the diameter and finish color you choose
- Your chosen burner: 304 stainless steel fire ring or Pro Series brass snowflake burner
- Round flat burner pan matched to the bowl, 26.25, 36 or 52 inches across
- Ignition for your choice: a 24VAC AWEIS with transformer, a 30VDC AWEIS with power supply, a 120V AWEIS, a battery system with its face plate fitted to the bowl or a key valve on a mounting bracket
- Flexible 18 inch gas line with 1/2 inch fittings or two lines with the key valve
- Bowl packing and crating
Fire by Design builds its stainless steel burners in its Las Vegas shop, shown in this film.
Features
Wide and low on ball feet
The bowl opens wide and stays low. The 32 inch size stands 9 inches high, the 42 inch stands 14 inches and the 60 inch stands 17 inches, each finished with a thin flared lip. Across the inside the three bowls measure 26.25, 36 and 52 inches, which leaves room for a generous open flame.
Stainless steel fire rings
The 304 stainless steel ring steps up with the bowl: 12 inches at 85K BTU in the 32 inch, 24 inches at 170K BTU in the 42 inch and 36 inches at 238K BTU in the 60 inch. A hub raised above the ring keeps water that gets into the ring away from the ignition parts, and Fire by Design warrants the rings for life.
Brass snowflake burner
The Pro Series brass snowflake sends its gas out along branching arms. It is 11 inches at 42K BTU in the 32 inch bowl, 18 inches at 124K BTU in the 42 inch and 32 inches at 365K BTU in the 60 inch, where it is the higher output of the two burners.
Cast in GFRC, finished to order
The Biltmore is cast in glass fiber reinforced concrete. The chart runs from pale stone greys such as Morning Fog and Crystal Cove, through Black and White, to warm red and orange finishes such as Sequoia and Deep Amber. Hairline stress cracks and surface crazing are a natural trait of concrete and sit outside the warranty.
Five ways to light it
The 24VAC AWEIS is Fire by Design's standard system and arrives with its transformer. The 30VDC version arrives with its power supply and is listed as pool certified, and a 120V version is also offered. Each relights itself after a gust. Where running power is difficult, the battery system uses three AA cells, with a rocker switch and status light on a face plate already fitted to the bowl. The match lit option is a black key valve on a bracket.
What goes in the bowl
The pan takes fire glass, lava rock or rolled lava stone. The 32 inch bowl holds 62 pounds of fire glass or 4 bags of lava rock. The 42 inch holds 117 pounds or 6 bags and the 60 inch holds 244 pounds or 13 bags.
Specifications
- Brand
- Fire by Design
- Collection
- Biltmore
- Material
- Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC)
- Round bowl
- 32, 42 or 60 in across; 9, 14 or 17 in high
- Inside diameter
- 26.25, 36 or 52 in
- Base diameter
- 18, 24 or 29.5 in
- Stainless steel burner
- 304 stainless steel fire ring, 12, 24 or 36 in; 85K, 170K or 238K BTU
- Brass burner
- Pro Series brass snowflake, 11, 18 or 32 in; 42K, 124K or 365K BTU
- Burner pan
- Round flat pan, 26.25, 36 or 52 in
- Gas
- Natural gas or propane; 1/2 in inlet, 3/4 in on the stainless steel ring of the 60 in bowl
- Ignition
- 24VAC, 30VDC or 120V AWEIS electronic; battery electronic; or match lit with key valve
- Fill
- 62, 117 or 244 lb of fire glass; 4, 6 or 13 bags of lava rock; 1, 2 or 4 bags of rolled lava stone
- Finish
- Chosen from the Biltmore color chart after you order
- Lead time
- Made to order, about 1 to 2 weeks before dispatch
- Warranty
- Bowl 2 years; stainless fire ring lifetime; stainless burner pan 5 years; AWEIS and battery ignition 3 years residential
FAQ
Can I install the Biltmore myself?
Fire by Design sells the kit for installation by a licensed professional, who will handle the gas connection and any wiring. The plumbing code also calls for a manual shutoff on the gas line within 6 feet of the bowl. Turning that valve toward off is the simplest way to lower the flame.
Which burner should I choose?
In the 32 and 42 inch bowls the stainless steel ring has the higher rating, at 85K and 170K BTU against 42K and 124K for the brass snowflake. In the 60 inch bowl it reverses: the 32 inch brass snowflake is rated 365K BTU and the 36 inch ring 238K BTU.
Which ignition should I choose?
The 24VAC AWEIS is the usual hardwired pick, and the 30VDC version is the one to specify beside a pool. If power cannot be run to the bowl, the battery system works without it. A match lit key valve is for owners who prefer to light the flame themselves.
How do I choose the finish color?
You pick from the Biltmore chart after you order. We check your choice with you first and only then pass the order to Fire by Design.
Does the bowl need drainage?
Plan for it. Fire by Design recommends drainage for every fire feature, including those fitted with its ignition, which can be submerged without damage.
Will wind put the flame out?
A hard gust can blow it out. The AWEIS detects this, pauses and lights again, usually within about 15 seconds. Fire by Design reports that it keeps working in winds above 55 mph.
