Five Ways to Design Your Outdoor Fire Pits

Having a group of friends and guests over to have dinner or just chat? You’d get to enjoy even more if you have a fire pit that would provide warmth and give you comfort during the cold nights. If you are planning to entertain a large number of people then a fire pit is the one you should get because persons can gather around it. You can also have abarbecue and not just keep yourself warm during winter.

Here are outdoor fire pit ideas you can consider before you build one.

Material

There are endless choices when it comes to the material of a fire pit. Choosing from the various materials can be an intimidating task especially if you don’t know where to start. You can initially think about what kind of atmosphere you want your fire pit to bring. It’s either you want it to be the focal point of your patio or you just want it to be a simpleaccent to the area. Hence, it is important that you know what your different options are.

The most economical material used as fire pit is painted steel and this is a good start for those who are on a budget. However, this material will only last for a year and it needs to be repainted afterward. For a much more durable material you can choose from stainless steel, copper, cast iron, etc.

Fire pit seating

Where you install your fire pit can add design and appeal to it. You can either go for round, fire hearth or angular.

A round fire pit gives you that classic campfire feel while you gather around it. With this seating people can engage in conversation without having a hard time seeing the other person on the other end. Large round fire pits will let you accommodate more people.  As for fire hearth, it is installed on a wall thus it looks more like a fireplace. Lastly, the angular seating like rectangular or square adds a dimension to your space.

Portable fire pits

These fire pits are requiring no or minimal assembly because it is basically factory made. It offers the same functionality which is to contain fire for cooking or for keeping yourselves warm but it comes at a cheaper price and you can reposition it anytime you want. Portable fire pits come in various styles like those made from metallic, free standing with three or four legs and many more.

Wood burning fire pits

This is like having your own campfire at home where you enjoy the warmth it gives and the smoky atmosphere. The fire is often placed in a contained bowl and is covered with a screen for protection.

Propane and gel fueled pits

Not everyone likes the smoke and smell coming from burning woods and so they opt for gel or propane fueled pits. Gel fueled pits still gives a warm ambiance without the burnt wood smell however it does not emit as much heat as the wood burning fire pit. A gel canister is used or it can be refilled with gel when the fuel is empty.

Propane fueled fire pits offer convenience for those who like quality flame without having to refill with gel. This has an ignition switch usually found underneath the fire pit together with the propane tank so lighting it no longer is a hassle. You can easily light it with a quick flick of the switch.

Before you construct or install your fire pits make sure that it will meet your needs. Remember that when not handled properly fire can be very dangerous so always make safety your number one concern. Be mindful of the things you place around the fire. Place furniture or plants at a safe distance from the fire and from stray embers.

Never leave your fire unattended and always turn it off when not in use. Fire pits may look appealing but if not used properly it could endanger your life and the life of your guest so always be alert when you are using this.