Ball of Fire Outdoor Fireplace | |||||
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Product Description
I feel like this steel mesh ball should contain, like, a set of conjoined twin brothers on motorcycles, not just a pile of logs and flames. No worries, though. I'm sure the Ball of Fire can go from outdoor fireplace to... [Read more]
Top Reviews
Why You Complaining? 6 Year Oldby max corbett (4 out of 5 stars)
August 19, 2018
I bought this in 2012 and it is still working in 2018. I probably have 2 seasons left.
Pros:
Huge! People will comment
Unique look
Flip open door
Over 6 yrs old!
Cheap!
Cons:
Parts don't line up perfect when assembling
Small gaps where pieces come together
Paint burns off and metal will rust
UV light destroys cover after a few years
Despite the negatives I would buy this again. Mine was $199 when I bought it. Sure the pain burns off, but I would spray BBQ paint on it at the beginning of the season. The cover works great and I put it on half the time. It is full of holes now, but still kind of works. I store mine outside in NY year round exposed to snow, rain, and sun.
Even though the parts don't line up 100% when assembling and there are small gaps, no one will notice. Plus you use it at night full of fire! People look at FIRE, not gaps.
Great Concept but LOW Quality (avid online shopper/researcher)
by PenPalMeHere (2 out of 5 stars)
November 20, 2013
I instantly liked the look of this firepit from the second I saw it. I continued to look at others, but always came back to this one. I'm an avid online shopper and read reviews when available. I was put off somewhat by the reviews that talked about the poor quality / length of time it was useable etc. Most of the time I take reviews with a grain of salt and think; "Did those people cover it like they should have? Put sand in the bottom to keep it from rusting out? Clean it frequently? Store it in a shed when not in use for long periods of time?" All the things I would do.
I went ahead and ordered it thinking because I would do all those things and that I am OCD when assembling things that I wouldn't experience any issues. I did though.
Assembly was actually fairly simple. The instructions were clear, and it came with all the needed parts (I checked before I got started). The instructions say 45 minutes to assemble...perhaps if you skip the step of checking for all the parts, tear through the box and have a second set of hands it would take 45 minutes, but it took me 2 hours, by myself, taking pieces out of the box carefully as to not scratch them and I made sure to line everything up, keep screws loose when instructed to, tightened when instructed too etc.
At first I noticed the quality of the paint on the legs and how heavy and sturdy they felt, A+. Then I noticed the pan, also clean clear coat of paint and sturdy; a few touch up spots that had been done at the factory, but nothing to be alarmed about, B+. Once I started taking out the "round" pieces; there are 12 pieces that are used to make each half of the dome, I noticed chipped paint here and there, some rust dust and the screen had paint build up, sharp edges, C+.
I got it all assembled and what do I first notice, but that Logo is NOT what is pictured. (I took photos of the firepit and everything I am talking about, but for some reason do not see the option to upload my own photos). The logo is stamped into one of the side rails and honestly that's fine, but why the change I wondered.
Once assembled I closed the lid and it didn't line up with the bottom portion of the pit, by about 1/2 inch. So one side of the firepit lines up neatly with the bottom, while the other half is significantly smaller in size and inward of the bottom portion. It gave the whole firepit a very funny look.
My thought was they changed the manufacturing company or design and when doing so the firepit became a lesser quality than what is pictured. In the photo things align nicely, paint looks good and the logo stands out and looks clean.
I am now spending time taking it all apart to ship back. For the price, $171, it's NOT worth it. It's more of a $120 firepit based on it's quality, but my assumption is they have to ask more for it because there are more working parts and it takes longer to manufacture the pieces than it does of a firepit that is a square.
I would not suggest this firepit unless you have the means to paint it and plan on keeping the lid opened as to avoid having to look at the crooked circle.
This is our third one and we love it!
by S. MacDonald (5 out of 5 stars)
May 21, 2019
Through the years we have had three of these and we love them. Eventually, they wear out (after four or five years) but in New England, I think that is a good track record as we use it all year round. The biggest issue is the hardware and screws that come with it. It's as if someone threw a bunch of screws and bolts in, with no thought of separating them or even counting them. The directions are poor but you can muddle through. Realize that the part letters are stamped IN BLACK on the edge of each black piece. That took us a while to find. So my summary? The product is A+ and allows us to see all of the fire, glowing embers as well, but the hardware and directions need to be completely overhauled by quality control at Landmann, USA.
I love this thing
by Sa.Ma.Ga (5 out of 5 stars)
September 28, 2017
I have owned this since 2014. The cover that came with it is useless and melted the first summer. Threw it out. I leave this out in the rain and sometimes forget to empty the water. No rust issues yet. I used to place sand on the bottom so the bottom would last longer. It doesn't seem to make a difference. I got rid of the sand. The pit was sitting on blocks for protection of the feet but these have disappeared or sunken into the ground and no rust on the feet. The hardest part of owning this was putting it together initially but I had no missing pieces. I love this thing and am glad I bought it when I did.
Well-constructed firepit made in the US!
by Teacher<3Mom (5 out of 5 stars)
August 25, 2016
We absolutely love this fire pit! I purchased the fire pit for a birthday present for my husband, and It took me about an hour to put it together in our backyard. I was looking for something that was good quality, and made in the USA... and after putting it together, I could tell that it was extremely well-constructed. The fire pit is made from heavy-duty steel and spark grates, and has stood up to the weather and regular use for the last 3 years. We will definitely purchase another Landmann when it is time to retire this one!!
Use a 10mm Fixed Wrench or Hex Driver - Loctite Screw Threads for Durability
by HI Def (4 out of 5 stars)
August 1, 2018
Nice full flame. Easy to put together if you take your time and follow the instructions. It took me and a friend (the supervisor and instruction reader, and part-time helper) about one hour and 20 minutes to assemble it. I used a power driver for the phillips head and a 10mm hex nut screw driver for the nuts. An adjustable wrench will do, but not as good as a 10mm wrench or hex nut screw driver. Use Loctite or similar product if you don't want the nuts to fall off after use. Friends recommend to me to spray paint twice a year with black high-temp stove paint to help prevent rust and preserve the product.
Very nice and great price!
by W. Padgett (4 out of 5 stars)
September 22, 2009
I looked on line and in the common stores for a large fire pit that would allow bigger fires and still meet local fire codes for fully covered and contained burning and opted for the Landmann Ball of Fire for several reasons. First, it was at a great price for $189 free delivery, second it was solidly built, third you could open it up and add wood and keep the cover closed to contain embers and debris (some of the other fire pits said not to put the wire mesh cover on them while burning your fire... huh?), forth the shape was nice since I put limestone rocks around the base to make it look built in and add stability. The fire ball is deep enough to allow for small logs, but the viewing space allows you to have smaller fires that are still visible 360 degrees. All in all assembly was easy to do and it came with a free cover to keep it protected from the rain/snow. Very nice and highly recommended!
I like it.
by Special Edward (5 out of 5 stars)
May 2, 2016
I've had this in my small, somewhat cramped city rowhouse back patio for a couple years now, and it's a winner.
It's very solid - you might have to tighten the occasional screw, but clearly this is a quality product.
What I like about it: on the one hand, it feels safe, because it's completely enclosed in mesh and doesn't touch the ground . So no real concern about burning my house down -- or my neighbors' houses. On the other hand, it somehow manages to *feel* like an actual campfire. Every time we have a party, we end up lighting a fire in it, and towards the end of the night people enjoy sitting around the fire and watching the embers. Really happy to have this.
May be worth it?
by DJ OK Potato (4 out of 5 stars)
July 25, 2018
Has rusted significantly after a few years, and we are constantly losing nuts because every time you open and close it, a few loosen themselves. We've tried to put second nuts on, but it doesn't always work. You'll likely want to buy some extra ones. It sure does look awesome, though!
(almost) perfect!
by Jumbolax (5 out of 5 stars)
January 13, 2014
lots of screws and nuts, and it is a sphere, so remember your high school math classes and keep all the screws hand-tight until you have everything put together...other reviewers have mentioned tight tolerances and they are right...once everything is lined up, tighten away...and yes, it does take more than 45 minutes...took me about 90 minutes by myself...
yes, the front half of the top sphere is smaller (so it can fit inside the back half when raised) so yes, there is a small gap where embers can fly up, but isn't that part of the beauty of a fire pit? to reminisce about old campfire days while watching small embers fly into the night sky? anyway, the gap doesn't bother me the way is does others, but then i am not OCD...lol
and the instructions i received were perfect, including what tools you need (top of page 4) so they must have updated the instructions in the last month...
so for me it was exactly what i wanted and now i am the hit of the neighborhood...people stop by to share a fire, a bottle of wine, marshmallows, and great conversation...(they supply the great conversation, i supply the fire and wine :)
enjoy all!
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Details were last updated on Dec 18, 2024 05:04 +08.
