Are these man-made stones which are made for high heat areas? Like the balls or shapes sold for gas fires ?

13 years ago

I am redoing an indoor gas vented fireplace and find the cost of fireballs very expensive. Can I put large REAL river rocks , or glazed ceramic balls into a gas fireplace without them blowing up?

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Judy Hawkins

10 years ago

here's an update to my review and photo of the fireball:

I contacted Rich at rasmussen and at his request, sent pics, and a copy of my invoice which was well within the warranty period. My gas burner is facing downward, which is the correct and recommended position. I bring my fireballs indoors during the cold weather and cover them with a tarp during cooler weather.

I received an email from Rich stating the warranty period for fireballs which are used in outdoor fireplaces and firepits have only a 6 month warranty, so my fireballs were no longer covered.

I have searched the internet for this warranty info, and requested it from Rich. I can't find any info on the internet re: a 6 month warranty for outdoor use, and Rich from Rasmussen has not provided a copy of the warranty with this specific info.

Additionally, Rhett the owner/president of Rasmussen contacted me in mid September. He told me he is very angry that I posted these pics and comments about his product and demanded I remove them from this website. I had to ask Rhett to stop yelling at me, and talk to me in a civil and mannerly tone. Rhett told me that until I removed the photos and these comments, he would not work with me to replace my fireball. This was in mid September 2016. I am not removing the comments and photos as I feel potential customers need to be made aware. I can say unequivocally--Rhett is a man of his word. I have not heard from him since my refusal to remove the picture and my honest review/comments of this product.

Rasmussen not only manufactures fireballs, but other products as well, including gas logs.

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Comments (8)

cjg333
13 years ago
Would love to know the answer to this question or where to find these "stones"?
karenrpowell thanked cjg333
usonian
12 years ago
Whatever you do, don't use real stones as they WILL explode. Learned this the hard way....not fun. The fire balls are engineered for this...cost more, but better than getting hit by a rock fragment shooting out of your hearth!,
karenrpowell thanked usonian
cjg333
12 years ago
Thank you for the reply, usonian. You saved me some real damage. I was thinking of replacing my logs with rocks.
mcleanrd
12 years ago
so can anyone tell us what kind of stone this is and where to purchase?
karenrpowell thanked mcleanrd
Anne R
12 years ago
I used large river rocks for over five years and never had any issues with exploding or even cracking, it is based on the type and density of the rock, if it has air pockets it may have issues. The rocks were great for amplifying the heat too.
karenrpowell thanked Anne R
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TCS Holdings, Inc.
12 years ago
The fireplace balls need to be made of a special grade on concrete to withstand the heat andexspansiom/contraction. I am doing a fireplace very much like this and found a great concrete fabricator in Carlsbad (north San Diego county) who make these custom for a very reasonable price. Www.jaxdesignshop.com
karenrpowell thanked TCS Holdings, Inc.
Judy Hawkins
10 years ago
photo of fireball manufactured by rasmussen after 23 uses. disintegrated within warranty period. rasmussen would not honor warranty, but did offer to let me purchase ONE new fireball for $135.00