FAQs about Fireballs

  • Great Question! Click HERE to see the entire process!

  • You can reachJulia at Julia@pnwfireballs.com or at 206-678-3118 for text or calls.

  • Yes, absolutely! Just contact me to discuss purchasing a Fireball.

    Some fireballs listed in the gallery are for sale. Take a look by clicking on the ones you’d like to purchase to see if they’re available. You are welcome to make an appointment to look at any available Fireballs in person if you like. You can also purchase a custom fireball!

  • The cost of the Fireball varies depending on size, design/time spent on design, and the cost and availability of the materials used. Fore more information on pricing please visit the PRICING page.

  • If you live in the Seattle or Eastside area, we can deliver to you at no additional cost.

    If you live in the Pacific North West but farther away you can arrange to pick it up from us in Carnation Washington or have it shipped to you.

  • Yes, we ship all over the lower 48. The prices on freight trucks vary a bit from day to day and depending on your ZipCode. Generally shipping from here in Washington State to the East Coast or South East costs around $315 to ship to a business or closest shipping company where you can pick it up yourself or $515 to ship to your house with white glove service for them to put the crate wherever you like.

    Shipping also requires a custom built padded crate for your Fireball and base. This costs $195. The crate is easy to open with a drill or screwdriver.

  • Yes, I enjoy making custom designs. Contact me to discuss what you would like. Usually I can work from general themes, ideas or specific images.

    The cost of a custom design ranges from $1800-$2200 depending on detail involved in your chosen design.

  • A finished 30 inch Fireball (the most common size) weighs around 35lbs with some variation due to design.

    They are sturdy and easy for one person to move around. It is even mobile enough you can easily load it in a truck and roll it out to a beach, riverbank or your friends place for special fireball events. Yes, seriously.

  • Building a fire inside is fairly simple. There is a hole in both ends of the Fireball (11-13inches in diameter) where the anchor loops and attachment points have been removed from the marine buoy. There is a removable metal screen placed in the bottom of your fireball to hold the firewood and let most of the ashes fall out of the bottom.

    To build a fire I usually load firewood in through the top, crumple some cardboard in there, use a bit of lighter fluid and off it goes flaming. Once it is burning the shape of the Fireball creates a nice chimney effect pulling air through the holes in the design and fanning the flames. They usually need less fire tending than a standard campfire due to the airflow. You just drop a few pieces in through the top whenever the fire or coals get too low for your liking.

    You can easily load wood through the top although if your design has large openings you can stick wood in through the sides, but that is not necessary.

    Click HERE to see more

  • Most of the ashes from a wood fire will fall through the screen in the bottom and be caught by the base. When the base is looking full of ashes simply lift or roll the Fireball off of the base and empty it out.

  • The Fireballs are made of very thick almost 1/4inch steel designed to withstand many years in a marine environment. They develop a natural rust patina coating that helps protect the steel and slow corrosion. I recommend the natural patina finish.

    However, if you prefer a painted finish for protection or because you like the look better we do offer painting with a high temperature woodstove paint. If you choose this we will use two coats of primer and two coats of flat black woodstove paint. A painted finish costs $100.

    Click HERE for images

  • Most of the Fireballs you see on this website are 28-30 inches in diameter. This is the smallest size of steel marine buoy that I can find to use.

    A few Fireballs in the gallery are the larger size. They are 42 inches in diameter.

  • The standard base you see with the Fireballs is a recycled 17 inch car wheel rim. Fancy I know! You are welcome to get your own if you prefer. I tried other custom build base designs but I prefer the wheel. It uses recycled materials, it is stable and low profile enough to prevent the fireball from falling off even if bumped or knocked. It catches the wood ashes well and allows you to easily empty them when you are ready.

    The custom propane bases use the same reclaimed wheels as a starting point. The inside has been removed and a circular flame burner is welded in place, protected and outfitted with all necessary connections and tubing. It is then covered with your choice of Lava rocks or fireglass.

    If you order a Fireball with a painted finish your base of choice will be painted to match.

  • Yes! You can use either propane or natural gas flames for fire in your Fireball. We make and sell custom propane burners and natural gas burners for $300.

    This allows you to have a fire on a deck, patio or dock. It is a great solution if your location is not good for having a wood fire.

    The outside of the base is the same size and shape as our woodburning base but it has either a propane or natural gas burner welded in place, protected and outfitted with all the necessary connections and tubing.

    Gas does not burn as hot as wood and generally the base does not get hot. However, if you plan on locating your Fireball on a wood deck or patio we recommend you always place the Fireball and base on top of insulating fire bricks for extra safety. If you prefer a different look you can cover the insulating bricks with any other type of brick, stone, or tile.

    If you want to use a 5 gallon propane tank (the type commonly used for gas grills) you can attach the hose yourself. It is ready to use in minutes. I recommend an 8 or 10 gallon propane tank instead because it helps keep the size of flames consistent when the flames are turned up high or burning for long periods of time.

    It is also possible to run a gas or propane line to your Fireball. Your gas burning base will have all the necessary connections. However, depending on where you live you may be required to have a gas professional hook things up and install the safety shut off valve when connecting to a large supply line.

    All gas flame bases use some type or rocks or glass to help spread the flames, cover the elements and protect the burner. We will give you the choice of Lava Rocks or different colors of Fireglass.

  • Yes, I like to roll my Fireball around to different places for a fire. Sometimes I place the base in the water so the Fireball looks like it is floating on the surface. Other times I place the Fireball onto a floating dock have a night fire floating in the middle of the lake. Moving the fireball around is fairly easy so why not make some extra fun fire events?

    See pictures HERE