Our stainless steel fire pits do not rust the same way mild steel does. As you use the fire pit and the metal heats up it will turn some beautiful colours primarily blue and pink. This will darken over time but as it won’t rust, over time as the metal is heated and cooled it may bow slightly. This is normal and occurs because there is stress within the metal as it is made which reveals itself when it is under pressure. Our mild steel fire pits have been given a protective lacquer coating to keep it from tarnishing before reaching you. Once you light the fire pit, this coating will burn off and the raw steel will be open to the elements. Raw Steel will oxidise (rust) at any opportunity. This results in a lovely auburn patina which first affects the 'silver' grinded metal and eventually the 'blue' un-grinded metal; this is totally normal. Over time, like our stainless steel fire pits, as the metal is heated and cooled it may bow slightly.