Outdoor Fire Pit Information and Buying Guide

A lot of families enjoy being in the outdoors. It could either be going to the beach, camping out or even just in their backyard and these outdoor gatherings would never be complete without a good fire. A good blazing fire while being outdoors adds more ambience and heat so that the outdoor experience becomes more of an event, or indeed adventure!

For those who love to entertain people in the backyard or garden with a little barbeque or hot chocolate, a good fire is important so that you could maintain that feeling of nostalgia and warmth. For those who love camping in the forest or on the beach, the heat and the function of the fire can help a lot in the adventure, a campfire could help you cook your camping food and also to give you warmth and drive away those wild animals.

Usually, campers would just dig up a hole in the ground then gather some dry wood and branches  to start a fire., This is the traditional way of making a campfire but it can been frowned upon because it might cause a forest fire and not to mention that it would also be very dangerous to the campers. So, if you really like being in the outdoors, it would be wise to invest in an outdoor fire pit. These really cool outdoor items can be a great addition to those great adventures or you can even use it to entertain friends in family in your backyard.  These outdoor fire pits have different designs and they can be permanent garden features or portable and ideal for taking on trips.  Depending on whether you want something to use at home, or on family trips you will probably have already decided on buying a lightweight model, or a more ornate piece of garden furniture.  There are different fire pits designed for different fuels, which we will discuss later.   Now, if you are going to buy a fire pit, you might be surprised that there are a lot of choices of design, shape, and material.

Outdoor Fire Pit Styles

There are many different styles of outdoor fire pit.  These are the main options that you could choose from:

• Outdoor Campfire Rings – campfire rings are really inexpensive items. Their prices might just range from 30$ to 90$ which is a pretty nice price considering the functionality of these items.  Cheap and cheerful so far as price is concerned, can make for a great buy that you will use for years to come.  You can use this item to grill you favourite food when you are out on the beach or in the forest. It could also give you the heat that is really important for those cold nights. Some of the models of camp fire rings can be disassembled to many pieces making them very convenient, because you can carry them wherever you want to go.  You can also get accessories like hot plates, or grilling plates for you fire ring, some also has designs to add that magical feeling to your outdoor bonding.
• Outdoor Fire Place – these items are perfect for being installed on your patio where you often sit down and relax with your family. Actually there are a lot of different types of these outdoor fireplaces that you could buy, but if you want you could also build one from blocks, bricks and stones.  But I believe buying one from Landmann or another outdoor fireplace manufacturer is a more effortless choice!   A standard closed style fireplace is a good choice if you are dealing with strict building codes and if you don’t want ashes all around you.   Or you could enjoy those large traditional outdoor fire places if you want to have a country feel on your home. Simple metal fire-places are a cheaper option, and of course more portable.

• Outdoor Fire Pits – these are also great additions to your backyard or your garden.  Instead of digging up a hole you could just use these bowl like fire pits to have a great fire for those outdoor gatherings.  Usually people use wood or charcoal for these items but some new designs now use propane or other gas fuels. These are really safe to use, especially if you choose a model that has a spark screen included.  Some fire pits are made from copper and cast iron so durability and sturdiness is guaranteed.  You can save money by choosing a steel version but be prepared to put it indoors when not in use, as they tend to be thinner and rust can be a problem.
• Chiminea – this kind of outdoor fire pit originated from Mexico. It is also bowl shaped and has an opening so that you could push in wood and charcoal inside it. Its long chimney releases the smoke above the people sitting around it. Usually the chiminea are made from clay or terracotta making them really inexpensive. Though they are prone to cracks and other damage.  A cover is a good idea to prevent water penetration (particularly in frost prone areas).
• Fire Pit Tables – This item is quite new to the market.  Often they are propane fuelled but some beautiful wood burning models are also available.  Of course a wood fire on a table will be much smaller than with a more traditional fire pit, but they can be attractive and useful nevertheless.  This is perfect for your patio where you can have tea or coffee while sitting in front of a fire in the middle of your table.  These do tend to be a little more expensive, but with more uses than a simple fire pit, they might well be worth the extra investment.   This is perfect for those families who have that extra money to spend to decorate their patio or backyard with items that would surely entertain visitors.

Materials for Fire Pits

Choosing a high quality fire pit doesn’t just depend on the style but also on the materials that they are made of.  Here are the top materials that are being used to make these fire pits and the advantages that they offer.

• Clay – this is the material that is commonly used to make Chimeneas, this material is quite brittle, which is why they always say to feed the chimenea slowly and to keep it dry and warm so that you preserve it.
• Sheet Metal – this is the material used for those really cheap fire pits, and they are commonly thought of as disposable items. This material rusts very quickly and when it is already rusted out is not useful anymore.
• Copper – higher quality fire pits are made by using this item. When an item made from this material is fresh out of the box you might think that it would last a lifetime. Indeed they would if you take care and maintain them properly.  Verdigris is natural but left out in the rain too much, the copper material will deteriorate and lose is sturdiness. And, usually after two or three uses, the shiny copper colour will be gone and be replaced with a natural verdigris green colour.  Some people love this, and others hate it, so do take into account the natural look of copper before buying.   But again if you really take care of it, and that means covering it with a rain lid always, taking care of the metal and also by changing those rivets and bolts if they are starting to fail, this item can remain pristine for a good period.
• Cast Iron – this is also a pretty sturdy material to make a fire pit or a camp fire ring. But, it has a tendency to rust easily that is why it is advised to look for a good spot to place it so that it will last well. Paints that are made for very high temperatures could slow down the process of rusting so if you have a cast iron fire pit it would be wise to maintain in coating it with this kind of paint.  Most come pre-treated, but when buying cheaper models remember that paint is likely to chip and flake over time.  A higher quality product should last longer without needing to be treated.
• Sheet Aluminium – this had been popular because of the high cost of materials like copper and iron. But, before buying items that are made from aluminium sheets you should check on the parts first because sometimes they fail and they are often irreplaceable.  Check customer reviews before buying.
• Cast Aluminium – when you are looking for a low maintenance fire pit, cast aluminum might be the very best choice of material to opt for.  This material will not to warp, crack and it is also very light making it very easy to move around. And with just a little effort to maintain it and a regular spray of high temperature paint the life span of the item would stay good as new all the time.
• Stainless Steel – fire pits made from stainless steel are pretty dependable too; that is if you take care of it really well. If the stainless steel coating get damaged though corrosion, it would start to affect the materials which is why great care is needed when using this product. Also, the bolts and rivets that are used to fasten the parts of stainless steel fire pits might not be resistant to corrosion that is why it would be better to buy the one with wielded parts.

Fire Pit Fuel

You could use firewood or charcoal for your fire pit, these things are really good and cheap sources of fire. All you need to do is fill up your fire pit with charcoal and then you are good to go. When using campfire rings I would prefer the use of wood since they seem to be perfect for each other. Using big pieces of wood in your camp fire ring could create really big fires that are really attractive. Some new designs now use propane fuel to keep the fire alive. This is also a very convenient idea, since you don’t need to keep on feeding the fire pit with wood or charcoal, with this technology you could just leave the fire pit and it would continue on giving the fire. Gel fuels are also being used right now but only to some designs, they are also great and very convenient however they could be quite expensive.

Gas Fuelled Fire Pits

Since this item is one of the most popular items now, I think it would be important to give you more information about gas fuelled fire pits. These gas fire pits can be very advantageous to a family. By just using natural gas or bottled propane gas you could already have the fire that you need.  Not needing to worry about sourcing, chopping and storing logs can make gas fuelled models more convenient to use, which is why more families are choosing gas.

When you using this item there will be no ashes and embers to basically there would be no mess to worry about, and using this gas powered pit would also be very safe because there is no fire to put out anymore all you need to do is turn of the gas switch and then the fire is out.  Another advantage of this product is that you may find it easier for cooking and grilling as compared to those pits who use wood and charcoal, since you have more control over the heat.  But if you are looking for that really genuine campfire experience using wood and charcoal might be a nice choice.

Top Fire Pits for You To Buy

Though there are those fire pits which are cheaply priced, it is sometimes more advantageous and worthy of your money if you rely on branded ones. Sometimes, there’s a price to pay when you want exceptional quality you know. Below are the most famous fire pit models and brands that you may check out.

• Strathwood St. Thomas Cast-Aluminium Round Table And Fire Pit – this item is one of the favourites of the buyers. This fire pit is built inside a table that has a protective mesh lid. The material used to make it is rust resistant cast iron aluminium that can withstand the elements pretty well.
• Blue Rhino GAD860sp LP Gas Outdoor Fire Bowl – the gas Rhino is a high performing gas fuelled fire pit that is also one of the favourite in the market right now. It also looks pretty stylish and also very easy to use. Using this product has a plus in safety.  Not the strongest fire bowl, you will need to look after it to keep its good looks.
• Landmann USA 28905 Super Sky Fire Pit – Landmann, one of the best makers of everything fire pits made this really amazing product and this is just one of their really impressive arrays of items that you could choose from. These items have star and moon designs on its side adding to the aesthetic factor. It is made of hard steel and is really easy to assemble in case you’ll be carrying it to the beach or to a camping trip. The cover that comes with it protects you from sparks.
• Uniflame WAD820SP Outdoor Fire Bowl – it is also another stylish pit like Strathwood’s St. Thomas. Some of its parts are made from marble and slate so it’s a real beauty to look at.
• Deckmate Steel Fire Bowl – The bowl is made from high quality stainless steel that can allow you to burn wood and charcoal.  Thanks to its stainless steel material, it is very easy to clean it and if taken care really well it would be resistant to corrosion.  A cheap and reliable addition to any deck or patio.
• Brasero Modern Outdoor Fire Pit – this item has a minimalist touch for a modern home. It has a low stainless steel bowl that is can be filled with denatured alcohol that produces a clean flame with less soot. You have to keep it clean since its priced around $1000.
• Patented Outdoor Fire Pit – another high end fire pit is perfect to take with you when you want to have a camp fire with style. It has a tower that holds the wood upright that makes better burning and also it help to give out more heat to those who are around it.

Choosing your perfect outdoor fire pit, bowl, or table will be a very personal decision.  Consider the style of your garden, or how big the trunk of your car is, depending on where you plan on using it.  Generally the more you spend the better the build quality is likely to be.  It is worth looking online so you can see what other customers think.  The bowl itself should be as thick as possible, to better withstand the constant stresses and strains of heating and cooling.  But even a very cheap campfire ring will keep you warm and entertained.  Generally the fancier the design the more important it is to pay that little bit extra for a higher quality product.