What’s Creating that Annoying Whistling Noise?

Gas fire pits that don't follow the proper installation guidelines can end up causing an undesirable whistling noise. The two usual suspects are flex lines and gas supply pressure, so check those out first. Additionally, the lack of an orifice could be the reason your fire pit is whistling. As always, gas appliances can be tricky to troubleshoot, so if you're ever unsure about something, call a professional for help.

Here are some of the common culprits for that obnoxious whistling noise your fire pit is making:

• Not having a whistle-free flex line
• Flex line routing
• Not having an orifice
• High gas supply pressure

Stop Your Fire Pit from Whistling

Whistle-Free Flex Lines

If your fire pit is whistling, it could be because you don’t have a whistle-free flex line. These flex lines feature a varied corrugation pattern to reduce bottlenecks in pressure, hence the “whistle-free” designation. We offer numerous brands of whistle-free flex lines; therefore, you can pick the one that’s best for your fire pit.

Flex Line Routing

With that being said, no flex line is ever 100% whistle-free on its own—it will come down to how it's installed. While the lines are flexible to allow an easier installation, be sure there aren't any major bends or kinks in the line. Sharp, 90° bends can cause a bottleneck in pressure which can result in whistling. Instead, use common hard piping or fittings to make those turns.

Orifice

If you’re positive that the flex line is not the reason your fire pit is whistling, the next step is to check to ensure your burner has an orifice. The orifice usually connects directly to the burner or is positioned a short distance away. It is a solid fitting with a central hole, and the size of the hole determines the amount of gas that reaches the burner. Adding an orifice could help reduce or eliminate any whistling noises your gas fire pit is making.

Gas Supply Pressure

If you're sure the flex line or orifice is not the issue, the other main source of the whistling noise is the gas supply pressure itself—and it's almost always too high. For natural gas, the pressure should be set between 3.5" and 7" of Water Column (W.C. is a unit of measurement similar to PSI). Propane should be set between 8" and 11" W.C. Typically, we recommend being on the higher side in order to ensure a nice, strong flame presence. However, work with your gas plumber to make sure it's not TOO much supply.

How to Determine Too Much Gas Supply

If you're not already a licensed gas plumber, you're going to have to call in a professional. Gas supply is a finicky medium and takes several different variables into account to determine the final supply. Therefore, it's best to leave it to the professionals.

What You Can Do to Help Your Gas Plumber

First, figure out what BTU your burner is rated for (e.g. a 24" Penta burner is rated for 200,000 BTU), this is the amount of BTU you need to have available AT your fire pit—you can find this information on all of our burners and burner kits.

Second, work with them to make sure your gas supply pressure is set between the above Water Column ranges but keep in mind that the distance your pit is located from the gas source will make a difference in the available BTU at your fire pit.

Third, double check the gas line sizes you're using. Your gas plumber will perform calculations to determine optimal gas line size based on the length of run from the gas source and the amount of BTU needed by your burner, among other things. If too small or too large a gas line is used it can hinder the volume of gas being supplied and ultimately result in that familiar whistling noise.

 

Wrapping Up Fire Pit Whistling Issues

Fixing the whistling noise coming from your fire pit doesn’t have to be complicated. Firstly, check the flex line as that’s usually the culprit. If the flex line is not the issue, then check to confirm your fire pit has an orifice. If the whistle noise is still there after checking those components, look at the gas supply pressure. Additionally, it is best to get in touch with a professional when fixing any issues with your gas appliances.

Furthermore, you can contact our certified team of product specialists if you have any fire-related questions or issues. We are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or email us anytime.

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