I know you’ve already felt it: a cool settling into the summer night
and the dimming of our trusty blue sky coming earlier and earlier. With
summer too quickly reaching a close and cool Autumn on its way, it’s
time to spark up the fireplace, and brace ourselves for chilly and
chillier temps. But don’t start batting down the hatches yet! With the
ever-increasing popularity of outdoor fire pits, you can stretch the
summer and fall nights out in comfort, and enjoy the beauty of nature a
little longer, and a lot warmer!
Now … how do you know what kind of fire pit is best suited to needs and
lifestyle? Should you use wood or gas? What shape or design should you
look for? And most importantly, how can you ensure that your new toasty
outdoor fire is maintained and used safely? A fire pit is not quite a
fireplace and not quite a campfire: it’s a completely different animal.
That’s why we’ve included important tips on differentiating between
kinds, shapes, functions, and costs, as well as including crucial safety
tips for your fire pit.
Permanent or Portable?
Before you even start researching
outdoor fire pits, you must first check
the city or zone ordinance to make sure they allow fire pits, what type
of fire pits, and what the safety parameters are. Once this is done,
your first step is deciding whether you could most benefit from a
portable fire pit or one that is permanent.
Portable fire pits are typically fashioned out of lightweight metal
(Mexican chimineas are made of clay or cast-iron) and have a round
design. These come with wheels for easy on-the-go activity as well as
patio or backyard use. With this versatility, you can move your fire pit
to the deck, patio, different areas of the backyard, or the garage with
ease. Another priceless bonus, is that you don’t have to leave the
toasty warmth at home. Pack it into the truck or SUV for the annual
camping trip or take it on the road to a tailgating party. Because
portables are made of lighter materials and require no-installation for
use, they are the most cost-effective, no-hassle way to fight the
post-summer chill: both on the road and in your backyard.
The permanent fire pit (or specifically-engineered backyard or patio
fire pit), otherwise known as a custom-built or stationary fire pit
unit, is made from stone, brick, rock, or concrete; and to most, are the
more aesthetically-pleasing addition to a patio or backyard.
Custom-built fire pits should rise 1-2 feet off the ground and have a
middle-of-the-road diameter of approximately 36 inches for ample use and
safety. Like portables, you can choose between wood or gas to heat the
desired area, but most products are energy-specific, so be sure to
double-check before buying. All in all, custom-built fire pits are much
more expensive, due to professional installation, the attention to
design, and the heavy-duty long-lasting materials needed; but will last
you lifetimes (with proper and regular maintenance), and undoubtedly
provide an equity boost in your home’s value.
Design and Shape?
The design and shape of your outdoor fire pit typically depends on
whether you opt for portable or stationary outside fire pits. More often
than not, the portables will be made of metal or copper, have a large
round bowl design, and sit in a metal stand. Wood will be placed in this
bowl-or if you’re opting for a gas hook-up, ceramic logs or fake-burning
coals-and the removable protective screen placed on top. As mentioned
before, portables are more function than design, so their options are
somewhat limited.
Chimineas also fall under the category of portables, boasting the
antique wood-burning stove look, but because they are smaller and allow
a lot less heat to radiate out, are less practical. Custom-built or
permanent fire pits, on the other hand, come in a host of shapes and
designs, due to the fact that you are having the unit
professionally-installed. Typically, you can find these devices in
round, square, or rectangular configurations incumbent upon your
material of choice (brick, stone, wood, or concrete), and they come
equipped with a built-in steel screen siding and metal enclosure doors
for enhanced protection when not in use.
Wood or Gas?
Both portable and permanent fire pits will require either wood, gas, or
both. If the fire pit you have your eye on prefers wood exclusively, it
is most important to find out what type of wood. Some fire pits will
burn regular firewood logs exclusively (aged wood is always the best
choice rather than new or green wood), and so you will just buy the same
type of cords you would for a fireplace.
To avoid safety hazards and general maintenance of your fire pit, you
should never try to burn a pressed wood or fire log (paper-enclosed
quick-light). The reason being; that because fire logs are made from
sawdust materials, they will burn hotter than a fire pit crafted for
cord wood can handle. Some fire pits, however, will offer the
versatility of burning cordwood, pressed wood, and fire logs; in its
safety specifications. Just remember that, unlike regular wood, only one
fire log should be burnt at a time. Also note that if a fire pit’s specs
allows for pressed wood, it will be able to burn the somewhat comparable
fire logs.
The alternative to wood-fire is a gas hook-up. Gas will burn cleaner
than wood, uses ceramic logs and fake burning coals, and can provide you
with an almost-real look and warmth for your trip or patio. The only
catch with gas-powered outdoor heat is that it requires more close and
constant attention, due to its limitless supply of flammable energy.
Costs?
Cost is always a significant factor to look into when scouting for an
outdoor fire pit. Portable fire pit units are the simplest,
cost-effective solution to your outdoor heating. Depending upon the
varying features and supplies the portable comes with, it will typically
range anywhere from $150 - $500. This is due to the fact that your
portable fire pit is built of lighter and subsequently, less durable
materials for easy transportation; and doesn’t require the costly
installation that a permanent or custom-built fire pit does. Portables
are the perfect investment for people who want an outdoor,
low-maintenance fire; but either can’t afford the solid structure of a
custom-built, or have yet to find a relatively-permanent home to
properly reap the long-term benefits.
Custom-built or permanent fire pits will call upon heavy-duty,
all-weather materials such as stone, brick, concrete, or wood; and
typically necessitate a space in your backyard of 15-20ft wide. Because
of their lifetime permanence and varying backyard landscaping needed,
professional installation is quite labor-intensive and can run you
thousands. It all comes down to your particular situation, though. For
most homeowners, the lifetime durability and projected use usually
outweighs the cost. But if cost is an issue, portables are the easy,
cost-effective quick-fix to your outdoor heating whims.
Dangers and Safety Precautions
We all love a good fire, but it is crucial to remember that it is a
fire; and if we don’t take the proper safety precautions and adhere to
specific fire hazards, your fire pit could rage out of control, leading
to property damage, sickness, and possibly death.
- Always follows the manufacturer’s and professional installation
expert’s specifications and direction for which energy source to use.
- Fire pits should not be used on apartment building or multi-unit
home decks due to clearance issues.
- Ensure your permanent is installed a good distance from your home
and anything combustible (typically your installer will automatically
enlist this common sense issue, but if not, ensure that it has a good
ten feet clearance).
- Ensure you place your portable fire pit at least ten feet from the
house, backyard miscellaneous, and trees i.e. anything combustible.
Also, with portable fire pits, it is necessary that you gauge the
placement according to wind patterns and where the smoke will,
therefore, be blowing.
- Don’t overfill your fire pit with wood or wood substitute; or
conversely, over-gas. Keep the fire small, contained and manageable.
- Always use a screen cover to keep sparks and embers at bay.
- It is necessary to note how close your fire pit sits to the
ground. Lifted 1 - 2 feet from a non-flammable surface will keep a
small to medium fire at a safe clearance, but remember that is the
perfect height of unsuspecting and curious children and pets, so close
supervision is crucial.
- Always ensure that your fire is completely extinguished before
leaving it unmonitored. Even with proper safety clearance, a spark can
become a raging fire in a split second, and reach all corners of your
deck and backyard in no time.
- It is also a must to get a fire extinguisher, because you are
playing with fire, otherwise.
About The Author
Alexis Gibrault has written many articles on
subjects of the home and home maintenance to help consumers find the
best and safest products for their homes. For more information on and
examples of outdoor fire pits, please visit:
Northline Express Outdoor Fireplace and Firepits
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