Stanbroil 10-Pound 1/4 inch Fire Glass for Fireplace Fire Pit, Platinum Reflective

Q: Why does the fireglass explode and fly out of the pit? It's so beautiful but now we have to return it.

I own Cen-Tex Fireplace Solutions in Texas and have been selling fire glass for a decade now. Fire glass is tempered to with stand the high temps. They also sell similar glass at hobby stores that is not meant for this use. That glass will explode when hot due to it having moisture in it and the moisture boils and expands. Because of the price difference we have seen ppl try to use the hobby glass in their fireplace or firepit

Q: What, if any, difference is there in using 1/4 inch versus 1/2 inch. Is there a difference in the coverage or size of flames etc?

I bought the 1/2 inch because it has larger surface areas to reflect and "sparkle" It doesn't compact as tightly as the 1/4 inch would so the flames can breath more easily. I also had read that the smaller pieces can sometime clog the holes in the fire ring.