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People have always gathered with family and friends around a fire. The warmth, safety, and ever-changing light show of a fire give us both a sense of security and a sense
of excitement. It is no wonder that people want to bring the camaraderie of a campfire and the snuggle-friendly romance of a fireplace into their backyards. Outdoor
fireplaces, fire pits, and fire bowls are all ways to safely bring the glow of a fire to your backyard, patio, or deck.
Not all outdoor fireplaces and fire pits will serve you equally well. Below are some tips for selecting the outdoor fireplace or fire pit that will best meet your needs
and using it safely and effectively:
- Before buying, consider what you want from your outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Are you looking primarily for heat to take the chill off the evenings so
you can enjoy your outdoor space for more of the year? Are you mainly looking for a fire everyone can gather around for socializing? Do you want the ability to
cook over the flames of your fire?
- Height matters. A fire pit in or on the ground gives a real campfire feel. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits that elevate the fire bowl place the
fire closer to eye-level viewing yet usually low enough to see over from a seated position. Do you want to be able to visit easily with people sitting on the other
side of the fire? If so, you will probably prefer an outdoor fireplace or fire pit that you can see over when seated.
- Keep safety your first consideration when selecting an outdoor fireplace, fire pit, or fire bowl. Whether wood, gel, or gas fueled, when in use your
outdoor fireplace or fire pit does contain fire. Never leave an outdoor fire unattended. The wind can suddenly increase or shift direction, children or pets
can unexpectedly bump into something or fall, and adults can lose focus at inconvenient times.
- If an outdoor fireplace, fire pit, or chiminea is not allowed in your locality...
consider one that includes a grill. In many localities, grills that
might also serve as outdoor fireplaces, fire pits or chimineas are permitted whereas they are not permitted without the grill component.
- Start with a small fire. The first time you use your outdoor fireplace or fire pit, use minimal fuel. Learn how your outdoor fireplace or fire pit
draws air, how it responds to changes in wind direction, and how long it burns before you need to add fuel.
- Use a fatwood stick to light your fire. Fatwood is an all-natural product, a selected part of pine trees "fat" with the highly combustible pine resin,
sold in convenient sticks. Fatwood sticks light with a single match, even when wet. Never use chemicals to start your fire, especially gasoline or charcoal firestarters.
- Select your firewood to minimize smoke. Well-seasoned hardwoods such as oak and hickory produce less smoke than unseasoned wood or softwoods.
- All fires have some smoke. If avoiding smoke is important to your enjoyment of your outdoor fireplace or fir pit, consider one with a chimney that
directs the smoke up and away from you or one with tempered glass sides.
- Always keep a hose, water supply, sand bucket, or fire extinguisher within reach when using your outdoor fireplace or fire pit. If relying on fire
extinguishers, teach all family members how to use a fire extinguisher correctly, and make sure the fire extinguisher is properly charged. At the end of the evening
you will want to be sure your fire is completely out before leaving your outdoor fireplace or fire pit.
- Use the screen. Most outdoor fireplaces and fire pits have mesh screens. After the initial flames have died down, place the screen in front
of or over the fire. The screen is meant to control sparks and burning bits of debris, keeping them from exiting the fire area.
- Use safety gloves. The same insulated, leather gloves you use for your indoor fireplace can serve you well with your outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Of course you know the screen, glass, and all metal parts of the outdoor fireplace or fire pit are hot when in use, but it is surprising how many people forget that detail!
- Iron eventually will rust. Even the finest, exterior grade wrought iron will eventually rust. Touch up any scratches with a rust-preventative, high
temperature rated paint to extend the life of any outdoor fireplace or fire pit with wrought iron components. Neither stainless steel nor copper will rust.
- Use the protective covering. If your outdoor fireplace or fire pit comes with a protective cover, use it to shield your outdoor fireplace or fire pit
from the elements.
- Put out the fire when you finish with it. Yes, your outdoor fireplace or fire pit is a safe place for fire, but you never want to leave any fire
unattended. Even if the fire is dying down, do not just call it an evening and walk away. Put the fire out, completely out, before you leave it.
- Use an Ash Bucket when you clean out your outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Remove the ashes to an Ash Bucket for added safety. Also, an Ash Bucket avoids the unpleasantry of having ashes blow into your face or onto your clean deck, sidewalk or patio.
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