Fire Pit Guide

A fire pit can be a great thing to enjoy during an afternoon or evening. The draw of a fire crackling is mesmerizing for many people, but it has its risks and dangers. Sparks and hot embers from a fire can catch surrounding things on fire, which could cause damaging fires. Fire pits help to contain the fire, along with all the hot embers, because they have a metal screen that sits over top the fire. In addition, outdoor fireplaces and chimineas offer a slight twist to the classical fire pit, providing a little more heat output for those colder nights

There are a number of variations of the fire pit and outdoor fireplace, so finding one that suits your needs and tastes is not the hardest thing to do. Many stores sell them, including most home and garden stores, as well as plenty of online websites.

Copper fire pits are one of the most attractive types, as they provide a beautiful surface that ages beautifully. The copper is a rather soft metal, so it can be dented from impact. Other than from impact, copper will hold up very well, as it is durable. The most common variety of the copper fire pit is bowl shaped with a rather flat lip that runs around the top. The metal screen that sits on top is usually another metal, typically in a black or silver color.

Over time, copper will form a green patina due to oxidation. This can be left for a nice aged surface, but many like to maintain the nice shiny copper color. There are two remedies you can try that you leave on and wash off, and one you can use if you really have a tarnished surface. First, you can mix 1 tsp salt in 1 cup vinegar, then add enough flour to make it into a paste like consistency. Evenly apply this mixture over the copper surface, and allow to sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse with warm water, and dry to a polish. Second, you can mix ½ cup lemon juice with enough cream of tartar to make a paste. Apply evenly, and leave on for 5 – 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and dry to a polish. Lastly, you can cut a lemon in half, and sprinkle cut surface with baking soda. Use that surface to scrub the copper to remove tarnish. Reapply baking soda as it thins from cut lemon surface. Rinse with warm water, and dry to a polish

Iron fire pits are the most common type available. It is a less expensive material to work with, so they tend to be a little cheaper. Many of them are also made to look like other materials, such as copper, brick or stone. This can be appealing to some people, as they can get the look of a more expensive item in a more affordable price range.

There are two main styles, a bowl shaped and a bucket shaped. The bowl typically sits on a stand elevated off the ground. It has a shallow area to hold the fuel source, and often has a metal screen over top. The bucket style has a much deeper area to hold the fuel source, and frequently does not have a screen. Often the sides of are punched out in patterns that appear to glow when there is a fire going.

Fire pit tables are an interesting variation, as they provide the warmth and interest of the fire with an area to place food or beverages. There are many variations, from a classical looking wooden coffee table with a fire pit inserted in the middle, to a bowl style fire pit that has a wide rim and a second shelf under the pit. They range from simple and useful, to ornate and beautiful.

Fire pit tables come in most of the same materials as the normal fire pits. Copper and iron are common, and sometimes you might see other metals or stone used as well. The iron will be the lower priced variety, with copper being more expensive. Other variations have differing prices depending on the design

Gas and propane fire pits are a newer addition to available fire pits, and provide the comfort of a fire with the ease of propane. There are no ash, sparks or embers to worry about, so they can be a little safer in areas where catching surround grass or brush on fire is a real concern. They also can be used with gas logs, lava rock, or fire glass. This can give you a more classical look (gas logs) or a modern look (fire glass).

Gas and propane fire pits come in almost any variation, from cast iron, to copper, to table varieties. You should be able to find the style you want in propane or gas.

Outdoor fireplaces and chimineas are an interesting twist on the fire pit. They typically provide a larger area for wood to be burnt, as well as a chimney to funnel smoke upwards. The chimney can also be closed off to minimize any rain getting in the top.

An outdoor fireplace is classically a structure built out of brick, stone or clay that has a flat area to burn wood and a chimney to funnel smoke upwards. They can be pricey to build, but can be very enjoyable if you like to spend time outside. They can provide a lot of heat, directly from the wood burning and from the radiant heat released from the walls.

Chimineas are freestanding structures that can provide a lot of heat at a specific point in your yard or patio. They look similar to a fire pit, but have a chimney on top. Some have a screen 360 degrees around, which provides plenty of air flow and heat transfer. Some are enclosed except for a screen door in the front. These provide direct heat from the screen door, but provide most of their heat through radiation from their walls. They are typically made out of cast iron, and are heavy as a result.

Outdoor fire pits, fireplaces and chimineas can provide a lot of enjoyment for those who like to be outside.  A simple fire pit can be burnt during the summer months just to have the pleasure of a fire.  A fireplace can be burnt during a mild winter to have enough heat to enjoy sitting outside.  The uses vary from simply enjoying the fire to actual heating.  Either way they can make sitting outside more enjoyable.  

Some fire pits can be used as simple grills as well with the addition of a grate over the fuel source.  This is not very common but, can be done.  More common is to simply roast things over the flames with sticks, such as marshmallows. 

Outdoor fire pits, fireplaces and chimineas accessories can be really handy items.  The most common would be a cover.  Since they spend their whole time outside, exposed to the elements, it is a good idea to have a cover.  This will help maintain the integrity of your fire pit or chiminea for much longer. 

Cleaning tools are also important.  They can help clean off the exterior and interior of your fire pit, fireplace or chiminea.  They get dirty, especially with ash and soot, and need frequent cleaning to keep them looking nice and performing well.  You don’t have to get tools specifically advertised as cleaning fire pits, outdoor fireplaces or chimineas, but simply get some brushes and rags that you can use for that purpose.