Fire Pit Buying Guide

Hanging out in the backyard on a summer or fall evening is always fun, but bringing the excitement of a camp fire to your yard changes everything. The outdoor firepit is a relatively new creation. Chimineas were around for a while, but most people complain they don't use them much after they buy them. But an outdoor fireplace or fire pit brings to mind campfires, beach bonfires, and of course the perfect excuse for smores. A backyard fireplace is a pretty big project, and needs to be planned in the context of patio and yard design. But a backyard firepit is inexpensive, small, and easy to setup. Below we will review some of the most popular fire pits, check out some firepit pictures, and get some advice on buying a fire pit.

Everyone, from kids to adults, seem to love kicking their feet up around a the roaring glow of an evening fire. Adding a firepit to your yard will bring your family and friends together in a relaxed, outdoor setting.

When buying a fire pit, there are a few things to consider.

The first is style and design. Are you looking for a chimney-style look, a camping ring look, a fire bowl design, or a table-top firepit?

Second, what size do you need? The smaller fire pits are about 20-25 inches in diameter, while medium-sized pits are 25-35 inches. The largets fire pits are about 40-45 inches in diameter, almost the size of a patio table. Consider where you want to put in and plan accordingly. If it will be on a smaller patio, you will lose a lot of patio space with a 45 inch fire pit - consider 20-25 inches instead.

The final consideration is price. You can get a cheap fire pit for about $99 - but the stand or base may not be very sturdy, the metals used may corrode or rust, and the screen may fall apart - the real low end units are not meant to last more than 2 or 3 seasons. On the high end, you can easily pay more than $500 for gas-powered fire pits that use propane, or for designs that include granite tabletops around the fire pit. Have a budget and quality level in mind before you start shopping, and stick with your game plan.

Fire Pit Tips - Firepit Plans

Be sure to follow the manufacturer safety warnings and precautions. Never place outdoor fireplaces near the walls of your home or other structure. Most also include warning about use on wooden decks. The ideal locations is a cement, tile, or other hard stone surface that is fireproof, including a similar backdrop to protect from sparks and embers. You should also be in the open air with no overhangs or enclosures around you. You also want to stay away from dry grasses and brush or firewood that could ignite. You may also want to consider portability when you buy a fire pit - some are collapsible or can be broken into simple parts and easily packed into the car or truck to take to the beach house, camping, the lake, etc.

Fire Pit Accessories - Fire Pit Reviews

The most popular fire pit accessories are grills, screens, covers, and fire tools. Most fire pits will come with a screen to keep sparks and embers from igniting your neighbors roof, but they can rust out, get bent or damaged, and sometimes you need a replacement. Vinyl fire pit covers are another popular option, keeping it out of the rain and protected from the elements when not in use. Some of the nicer firepits have finished table surfaces around a central fire bowl, and keeping them clean and nice looking requires a little more protection that the simple copper bowl firepits.