Was the pit sitting directly on the pavers, or did you have it up on legs? Most of those cheap ones sit so low that the heat bounces straight down off the bowl. If it was flat on the ground, that’s your main problem right there, not just the metal quality. Also, what kind of pavers are we talking, concrete or the clay style? Clay holds heat way worse and will crack faster than concrete. Either way, you’re probably not getting that stain out, it’s baked in. Replacing them now beats doing it again next summer after the same thing happens.

So was the line mostly tourists like you, or did the locals think it was worth it too?

Ha, tried 2% after 30 days once. Client paid fast, no hard feelings.