Is Your Fire Table Flame Flickering or Fading?

If your Castin Crete Designs concrete fire table isn’t delivering a steady flame, you’re not alone. One of the most common causes of flame inconsistency is the propane tank, not the fire feature itself. Specifically, rental or exchange tanks can create all kinds of performance issues—especially when they’re older, overused, or fitted with failing OPD valves.

The Real Issue: Rental Tanks, Flow Limiters, and Expired Valves

Most people use 20 lb propane tanks that come from a rental cage or exchange program. These tanks often seem convenient—but they’re frequently the weak link in your fire feature’s performance. Here’s why:

• Many rental tanks are 10–15+ years old
• The OPD (Overfill Protection Device) valve can weaken or stick over time
• Flow limiter valves built into the OPD often trip too easily or restrict flow unnecessarily
• Tanks may have corrosion or internal buildup that affects gas pressure and vaporization

What Is a Flow Limiter Valve?

Inside every modern propane tank’s OPD valve is a flow limiter, a safety feature designed to restrict gas flow in the event of a sudden leak. However, fire tables often draw large volumes of gas quickly, and these limiters can easily misinterpret that surge as a hazard.

Once tripped, the valve restricts gas flow, causing:

• Weak, low, or sputtering flames
• Flames that require constant adjustment
• Slow startup and delayed flame buildup

How to Identify a Bad or Expired Propane Tank

Every propane tank is stamped with a manufacturing date on its collar—usually in MM-YY format (e.g., “06-17” for June 2017). By law, tanks expire after 12 years from the date of manufacture unless requalified and recertified.

Check These:

• Date stamp: If it’s over 12 years old and hasn’t been requalified, it’s expired and should not be used.
• Valve stiffness or sticking: If the OPD valve is hard to turn or doesn’t feel smooth, it’s likely degraded.
• Flame irregularities: Inconsistent flame may point to a weak or malfunctioning flow limiter.

Expired tanks can still circulate in exchange cages, despite being past their functional life. Using one on a GFRC fire table—especially one with a higher BTU output—can lead to frustrating and unpredictable performance.

Resetting a Tripped Flow Limiter

If your propane fire table is lit but not burning properly, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the fire table and close the propane tank valve.
2. Disconnect the gas hose from the tank.
3. Wait 30–60 seconds.
4. Reconnect the hose securely.
5. Open the tank valve slowly—a quarter-turn every few seconds.
6. Light the burner as normal.

This resets the internal flow limiter and may restore full gas flow—assuming the OPD is functioning correctly.

Tips to Keep Your Fire Table Burning Smoothly

To get the most out of your concrete fire table and avoid annoying flame dropouts, follow these best practices:

• Use a full, quality-filled tank – Low fuel levels reduce pressure and performance.
• Buy, don’t rent. Own your own tank so you control its condition, age, and fill source.
• Check the tank’s manufacturing date. Replace tanks older than 12 years.
• Avoid cold tanks. Propane vaporizes slowly in cold conditions, affecting flame size.
• Open the valve slowly every time. This prevents the flow limiter from triggering.
• Consider a 40 lb tank or a plumbed natural gas setup for more consistent pressure.

Built to Burn Bright: Why It’s Rarely the Table’s Fault

At Castin Crete Designs, our GFRC fire tables and fire bowls are built with premium components and engineered for long-term performance. We use marine-grade hardware, commercial-grade burner systems, and proven gas plumbing layouts. If your flame is flickering or weak, it’s almost always an issue with fuel delivery, not your fire feature.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let a Rental Tank Undermine Your Fire Feature

If you’ve invested in a handcrafted concrete fire pit or propane fire table, don’t let an old rental tank with a finicky OPD valve ruin the experience. Replace expired tanks, avoid exchange cages, and understand how flow limiters work. With the right propane setup, your Castin Crete fire feature will run clean, steady, and powerful—just the way it was designed.

Need help choosing the right propane setup or tank?
Reach out to us at Castin Crete Designs. We’re here to help ensure your fire feature performs flawlessly, season after season.