July 23rd 2025, 13:30 PT
During a recent review, we identified a potential hazard related to the lava rocks included with the SP1. As a precaution, we are sending new lava rocks to all SP1 customers who received small rocks to ensure optimal performance and safety.
This article includes a short summary for quick reference, followed by important detailed explanations and background farther below.
At Zutto Fire, we believe transparency and proactive problem-solving are key to building trust. We're committed to sharing our process openly, listening to feedback, and constantly improving so you can feel confident in us and the products we create. We hope this article reflects those values and helps you feel supported in using your Zutto SP1.
Summary of the situation:
- Earlier last week, a customer reported odd flame behavior using their SP1 in a Campingmoon MT-045 fire pit.
- Our testing, along with their feedback, revealed that using all the included small lava rocks (which we don’t recommend in the instructions) can hinder gas flow, causing gas to seep and re-ignite under the tray, leading to brief flare-ups.
- This issue is most likely to happen when the burner is buried, especially with damp small rocks and in windy conditions.
- Fire pits with larger panel gaps (like Campingmoon and other off-brand) are more prone to this issue than those with tighter construction (like Snow Peak).
- We are switching to larger, dry lava rocks and will send a new set free of charge to all current customers (please note that this will take some time as we explore the best ways to ship those replacements).
- If your shipping address hasn’t changed, no action is needed. If it has, please contact us at info@zuttofire.com with your order number and new address.
- If you're unsatisfied with this solution, let us know and we’ll gladly provide a free return and full refund.
Example of a flare-up in an off-brand fire pit with the burner buried in small lava rocks and a slight breeze from the left side:
We’re also:
- Updating our instructions to emphasize key safety steps (latest instructions).
- Testing and recommending wind guards to help stabilize the flame in breezy conditions (recommended accessories).
Until your new rocks arrive, please follow these precautions:
- Do not bury the burner under all the small lava rocks included with your kit.
- Avoid use in windy conditions. If wind is present, discontinue use or shield the fire pit.
- Always dry lava rocks if they were exposed to moisture (see drying steps in the instructions).
- Check that burner holes aren't plugged and keep all gas connections clear of debris.
- Always ensure that the whole burner ring is lit.
- Only use outdoors.
- Maintain 3 feet of clearance from any combustible surfaces.
- Never leave the SP1 unattended during use.
- The SP1 is not intended for commercial use.
If you have questions or concerns, you can continue reading for full details or contact us at info@zuttofire.com.
Important:
We want to remind you that the Zutto SP1 is a non-certified retrofit adapter designed to fit into a fire pit that was originally intended for burning wood. While we believe we are making a clever product that greatly enhances the usability of your flat-pack wood fire pit, we simply can't eliminate all the conditions that could lead to potentially hazardous situations. We are making every effort to improve safety, but final responsibility for proper use rests with the end user. Use at your own risk. Zutto Fire assumes no liability for misuse or operation outside of recommended conditions.
More Details
Why did we think small rocks were better?
We designed the new burner with a higher hole density to reduce the appearance of individual flame “fingers” (similar to separate candle flames) and create a more natural, campfire-like look. Lava rocks played an important role in this effort. We found that smaller rocks helped disperse the flame more evenly than larger ones, improving overall flame quality.
Smaller rocks also allowed us to reduce packaging volume and made handling easier, with less risk of rocks getting stuck between the burner and the tray. After a series of tests, we settled on the size you received (roughly 3/8" to 3/4") and have been happily using this size in our own Takibi for months.
Why did this issue take time to surface?
We tested several fire pits in a variety of conditions, and with as many variables as we thought relevant at the time. Most of our testing was done using the Takibi L, which is also the most popular fire pit among our customers. In that setup, we determined the ideal amount of lava rocks through trial and error, and those results formed the basis of our current recommendations. We then transferred that amount to other fire pits of various sizes and tested with good results.
At the same time, we were sourcing lava rocks for production. We had initially purchased dry rocks from Amazon, but they were too expensive for resale. Eventually, we found a U.S.-based supplier that could screen the rocks to our preferred size and package them in custom-sized bags. We chose a 5-pound fill to ensure customers would have enough rocks, especially since smaller lava rocks often include fine debris.
After some delays, we received our first supplier samples. We had asked about moisture content, but the supplier stores their rocks outdoors in large exposed piles. As a result, spring shipments tend to contain more moisture than those ordered in summer or fall. With wood burn bans approaching, we tested the damp rocks in the Takibi L and, after drying them in the pit itself, confirmed they performed well. (We did not test the drying process in other fire pits.)
Confident in the results, we placed an order for several tons of pre-bagged lava rocks and included drying instructions and quantity guidance on every bag. While we knew asking customers to handle some drying wasn’t ideal, we felt it was a reasonable trade-off in order to start shipping the SP1. The lava rocks were the last piece we needed to bring the product to market.
Throughout this process, we did not anticipate that using too many lava rocks could lead to performance issues. In our own tests, excessive amounts of rock in the Takibi L degraded flame quality, so we simply used less and recommended that customers do the same. We never saw flare-ups, which is why the issue wasn’t apparent to us until a customer used an entire bag of damp lava rocks in their Campingmoon MT-045 and experienced flare-ups.
Why do we think larger rocks better now?
With smaller lava rocks, there's less space for propane to circulate around the burner. When only a moderate amount is used, this usually isn't a problem—but performance can vary depending on the fire pit brand and design.
For example, we recommend positioning the burner tray with the bent edges either up or down based on your fire pit. In Snow Peak fire pits, the burner sits slightly farther from the pit walls, giving the lava rocks more room to spread out. In the off-brand fire pits, the fit is tighter, leaving less room for the rocks. When lava rocks are too tightly packed, they can block burner holes, create back pressure, and restrict gas flow leading to performance issues.
Distance between burner holes and fire pit panel:
Using larger lava rocks naturally helps prevent these problems. They’re less likely to block burner holes and allow more airflow, which improves gas dispersion. In our testing, we found that this eliminated flare-ups, though wind could still be a factor. In Snow Peak fire pits, we were unable to produce flare-ups even with moderate wind. However, high winds can still be problematic, which is why we don’t recommend using the Zutto in windy conditions.
In tighter-fitting off-brand fire pits, we were able to recreate minor flare-ups when wind hit the burner from just the right angle. As a general safety guideline, always shield your fire pit from wind or discontinue use if you notice flames appearing below the tray level, or if there is enough wind to extinguish part of burner ring.
Why are the burner holes angled?
Some of the feedback we received from earlier customers was a desire for more portability and a better fit in the Takibi M. We explored various burner shapes and sizes, and ultimately chose this one to meaningfully reduce bulk. At the same time, we didn’t want to compromise on heat output, so we tested several designs to ensure the Zutto SP1 would deliver both an attractive flame and solid heat performance.
After testing, we angled the burner holes outward from the center. This helped project heat toward people gathered around the fire, creating a more comfortable experience. It also had the added benefit of making the burner appear larger than it actually is, hence our choice of angled holes.
Comparison between vertical and angled burner holes:
Why did we make one adapters instead of several?
At the time we designed the SP1, we were completely unaware of this issue. What we did know was that customers were using the Zutto in both Snow Peak and off-brand fire pits, which posed a design and logistics challenge for us as a very small company.
You might not realize it, but the wall angles of Snow Peak and off-brand fire pits differ significantly when deployed. This affects how the SP1 sits in the pit, meaning we’d either need different connector lengths or entirely different tray dimensions. While most of our customers use Snow Peak fire pits, we had enough off-brand users that we couldn’t ignore them. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the volume to justify manufacturing two separate products.
So we came up with a modular solution. By designing the tray to be reversible, customers can change the burner height simply by flipping the tray; no additional parts required. This allowed us to accommodate both fire pit types using the same components. We also liked the idea that you wouldn’t need to buy a separate adapter if you switched fire pit brands later.
Angle differences between Snow Peak and off-brand fire pits:
That’s how the current Zutto SP1 design came to be.
What’s the deal with wind?
Wind is always a challenge and a hazard when dealing with fire, whether it’s wood or gas. Sudden gusts can cause the flames to shift unpredictably and behave erratically. While we’ve worked hard to create a safe and effective product with the Zutto SP1, we can’t control every environmental factor.
One of the main challenges is that compatible fire pits vary in wall height and panel construction. In smaller fire pits, the shorter walls leave the SP1 more exposed. In larger fire pits, taller walls offer better protection from the elements. Wind behavior around propane fire pits also depends on several other factors, including flame size and whether there are any surrounding wind barriers. Under certain conditions, wind can extinguish part of the flame in any gas fire pit, resulting in a burner that is only partially lit, while gas continues to flow from the burner holes. The gas flow rate, controlled by the regulator, also plays a role in how this situation develops.
Example of wind coming from the right extinguishing the left side of the burner:
It's important for users to monitor for these conditions and adjust use as needed, following the recommendations in this article and the user manual.
Additionally, off-brand fire pits tend to have larger gaps between panels, which allow more wind to enter compared to the tighter construction of Snow Peak fire pits (although Snow Peak seems to have updated their Takibi production recently, leading to slightly larger gaps than before).
Air gaps in panel construction, differences between Snow Peak and off-brand fire pits:
The inverted pyramid shape of these fire pits also contributes to wind unpredictability. Gusts can strike the angled walls, go over the top and push the flames and gas downward leading to unstable patterns.
Effects of wind on the Zutto SP1 inserted in an off-brand fire pit
This is why we strongly advise against using your fire pit in high winds. The best solution is to place the fire pit in a sheltered area or use a wind screen specifically designed to reduce wind impact on campfires. We list a few recommendations on our recommended accessories page.
Example of the benefits of a 14x14x6 glass wind guard on the Zutto SP1:
Example of the benefits of a metal windscreen on the Zutto SP1:
We’ve also found that using ceramic fire balls help stabilize the flames, keeping them more centered even during light gusts.
Ultimately, always monitor your fire pit closely. If you see flames being pushed out through the panel gaps, that’s a clear sign the fire pit is too exposed and should not be used until wind conditions improve.
In Closing
By now, we hope you have a better understanding of the Zutto SP1 and how to safely enjoy it in your fire pit. Zutto Fire is a small company doing its best to offer a well-designed, safe product that brings the warmth and connection of campfires (aka Takibi Time for some) into more places, with the convenience of propane. While the SP1 isn’t perfect, we believe it’s a solid, reliable solution that has served us and our customers well. As wildfire season intensifies, we want to be as clear as possible about what to expect from this retrofit adapter kit so you can recognize when its use may not be appropriate, even though it offers a propane alternative to wood fires.
We value transparency and integrity, and we hope that comes through in how we communicate and support our product. If you ever have questions, feedback, or need help, feel free to contact us at info@zuttofire.com.
