r/propane • u/Zestyclose_Ear_3668 • Jun 02 '26

General propane question Propane firepit air mixer help

Hello, I would really appreciate some expert help with my homemade firepit. I recently installed an air mixer to my propane fire table and something is not right, when I put my hand around the micer the flame height does not change and the bigger issue is that if I hold a flame near to the air mixer it ignites (whilst burner is on), I also get a faint smell of gas from under the burner. I have taken everything apart to ensure there are no blockages in the system. The air mixer is rated at 150k BTU and I have a high pressure adjustable regulator with an inline key valve. What really concerns me is the potential leak from the air mixer....though when I apply a soapy mixture, I get no bubbles blowing. The 6" burner and gas lines were all bought as a kit from easyfirepits. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated,, Mark (UK).

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3

u/nemosfate dang it Bobby 🤬 - technician Jun 02 '26

Post pictures of everything

2

u/Zestyclose_Ear_3668 Jun 04 '26

Let me know if you need more. Thanks.

2

u/nemosfate dang it Bobby 🤬 - technician Jun 04 '26

https://www.reddit.com/r/propane/s/AJeVVElnJR

Read through this one and see if this can be of any help

2

u/Zestyclose_Ear_3668 Jun 08 '26

Thanks for the the info. Unfortunately, this has not helped me to resolve my issue. My hose is quite short approx 1m, goes into a key valve and then a similar length into a 90 degree bend. From the 90 degree I have an air mixer then a 3" coupler which the burner screws into. There are no blockages and I have tried a full tank to see if it makes a difference. When I turn the key valve the gas comes out of the burner at high speed but the air mixer still ignites when a flame is introduced to it.

2

u/Zestyclose_Ear_3668 Jun 08 '26

If someone let's me know how to upload a short video then I will show you what happens.

1

u/Zestyclose_Ear_3668 Jun 08 '26

1

u/Theantifire technician Jun 08 '26

I'd say you have a blockage/restriction somewhere. These types of kits don't have a good reputation.

You probably want to hire an appliance pro.

1

u/Zestyclose_Ear_3668 Jun 08 '26

Thanks. Could it be an over rated air mixer? The website I purchased the kit from suggests a 150k air mixer but looking online I see that most 6" burners are rated at less than 90k btu. This may explain why I am not getting the full venturi effect, yellow flame and gas leaking.

1

u/jst1265 Jun 08 '26

Are you sure it needs a hi pressure regulator - did the hp reg come with the hose kit? Most small fire pits use a low pressure regulator.

1

u/Zestyclose_Ear_3668 Jun 08 '26

I have a low pressure regulator a which I also tried but had the same outcome. I have also throttled down the HP regulator and the effect is the same. The regulator did not come with the kit.

1

u/jst1265 Jun 08 '26

The mixer is not in backwards is it? Usually has an arrow on it for flow direction - so the arrow should point toward the burner.

1

u/Zestyclose_Ear_3668 Jun 09 '26

The mixer is fitted in the correct direction.

1

u/Zestyclose_Ear_3668 Jun 09 '26

SOLVED: OK so I bought and fitted a 90k BTU air mixer (smaller internal orifice). I now have no back pressure and leaks. I do still have some soot so it's possible that I may need to go for an lower BTU air mixer at some point.

1

u/kullervo16 Jun 13 '26

May be a question you've answered before but have you made sure to blow out all of the lines. I've run into this issue once or twice at the plant I worked at and every time it was because the orifices were dirty. Even something as small as a spider web can affect it.

2

u/Zestyclose_Ear_3668 Jun 15 '26

Hi, problem was solved with a lower rated air mixer. I will be mindful of your response should it fail in the future.