Lava Rock or Beachstone? Choosing the Fire Media for a Gas Fire Table
It is the last option on the configurator and the first thing anyone notices when the table is lit. Here is what the three choices actually are, what they change — and the one thing you should never swap in.
Every gas fire table has a burner, and every burner has to be covered by something. That something — the fire media — is what you actually look at: the bed of stones the flame dances through, and the thing that is still on show in daylight when the gas is off. On a cast concrete table, where the vessel itself is quiet and architectural, the media does a lot of the visual work.
On the Dekko concrete fire tables we sell, there are three options: Black Lava Rock, Ivory Beachstone and Slate Beachstone. Here is how to choose between them, and what the choice does and does not change.
First, what the choice does not change
It is easy to assume the rock changes the fire. On these tables, the published specification says otherwise. The BTU rating depends on the ignition you pick, not the media: every model is rated at 65,000 BTU on match lit, and between 90,000 and 150,000 BTU on electronic ignition depending on the model. The media option sits alongside those figures without altering them.
So treat this as a design decision. If your real question is how much heat you will get, the ignition choice is the one that matters — and it comes with a propane-tank rule worth knowing, covered in our electronic ignition vs match lit guide.
The media changes how the table looks lit and unlit. The ignition changes how much heat it makes. Keep those two decisions separate.
The three options, side by side
The same table — an Alea 32 in Ash — with each of the three media. Product photography; colours vary between screens.
Black Lava Rock
Lava rock is a porous volcanic rock, and it looks it: dark, irregular and deeply textured. It has a long history in gas fire features, and on a concrete table it reads as the most rugged and traditional of the three. It is the strongest contrast against the lighter concrete colours — Natural, Limestone and Sandstone — and it tends to hide ash and leaf dust better than the pale option.
Ivory Beachstone
Smooth, rounded stones in a pale ivory tone. This is the softest, most contemporary look of the three. The trade-off is the obvious one with any light surface outdoors: it shows dirt and debris sooner, so a cover matters more.
Slate Beachstone
The same smooth, rounded form in a grey slate tone. It sits between the other two — modern like the ivory, forgiving like the lava — and it is the natural partner for the darker concrete colours, Ash and Charcoal, if you want a tonal rather than contrasting look.
| Media | Look | Pairs well with | Shows debris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Lava Rock | Dark, rough, rugged | Natural, Limestone, Sandstone, Clay | Least |
| Ivory Beachstone | Pale, smooth, contemporary | Charcoal, Ash, Clay | Most |
| Slate Beachstone | Grey, smooth, modern | Ash, Charcoal, Natural | Moderate |
Pairings are our styling suggestions, not rules — every media is available with every one of the six concrete colours.
How to choose: three honest questions
Contrast or tone?
Pick lava rock against a light concrete for contrast, or match beachstone to the concrete for a calmer, tonal look.
How will it look unlit?
Most of the time the gas is off. Picture the table at noon on a Tuesday, not just at dusk on a Saturday.
How much upkeep?
Under trees, or without a cover, the darker media will look tidier for longer between cleans.
What about fire glass?
Fire glass is a popular media on gas fire features in general: tumbled tempered glass that catches and reflects the flame. It is simply not one of the options on this concrete range, which is offered with the two beachstones and lava rock only.
We would not advise treating that as a gap to fill yourself. A gas burner is designed and tested around the media its manufacturer specifies, and the amount and type of media on top of it is part of how it behaves. If glass matters to you, call us before you order and we will tell you what is approved for the specific burner — rather than guessing.
Never substitute these for your fire media
- Stones from the garden, a beach or a riverbed. Ordinary stones are not made or rated to sit on a gas burner.
- Media bought for a different burner without confirming it is approved for yours.
- Extra media piled on top of what was supplied — the burner is set up for the amount it came with.
Looking after the media — and the concrete
Fire media sits outdoors in an open vessel, so leaves, dust and rain collect in it. Keep it clear of debris, let it dry out, and cover the table when it is not in use; covers are model-specific, so ask us about the right one for your table when you order.
One care rule catches people out, and it is about the concrete rather than the stones. The Dekko warranty is void if any coating, sealer or chemical is applied to the concrete shell. It is tempting to "protect" a new concrete table with a sealer from the hardware store. Do not. The same warranty runs from the date the manufacturer shipped the unit, is not transferable, and requires a written claim within 10 days of finding a fault — worth knowing on day one.
The configuration, in order
Media is the easy, reversible-feeling decision, so it is worth making it last. The order that avoids expensive mistakes is:
Configure in this order
- Placement first. The published requirement is 84″ of overhead clearance with solid structure or combustible material on no more than two sides — see the clearance guide.
- Ignition and fuel. Electronic ignition is fixed piping only and not for use with a portable propane tank; match lit can run from a tank.
- Size and shape for the space and the seating.
- Concrete colour — six to choose from.
- Fire media — one of the three, included.
If you are torn between two combinations, tell us the concrete colour, where the table will stand and how much shade it gets, and we will send you the product photography for both pairings side by side.
The Iridescent Home Team
We sell freight-delivered fire tables and saunas, and we publish the manufacturer's own specifications on every product page. Stuck between two finishes? Call (307) 201-4597, 9am–5pm MT.
See every pairing before you choose
Each Dekko concrete table page swaps its photography as you pick a concrete colour and a fire media, so you can see the exact combination before anything goes in a cart.
Questions? (307) 201-4597 · 9am–5pm MT
Fire media FAQ
Is lava rock or beachstone better?
Can I use fire glass instead?
Is the media included?
Can I use rocks from my garden?
Should I seal the concrete?
Fire media options, BTU ratings, clearances and warranty conditions above are the manufacturer's published specifications for the Dekko concrete fire tables we sell; they vary by model and configuration, so confirm against the specific product page before ordering. Styling pairings are our suggestions. Gas connections must be made by a certified gas technician, and electrical work for electronic ignition must comply with local code. Never modify a gas appliance or substitute unapproved media. Call (307) 201-4597 with any question before you order.