Fire Pit Tips

Before turning the first shovel of dirt in your new fire pit, consider its potential use and work on incorporating its use into one of many fire pit designs. Simply to light a few logs and roast a few hot dogs outside, a small round steel and stone pit will probably work quite well. However, if you are the outdoor cooking type and plan to roast meat over a spit, there may be fire pit designs that will work better.

For many folks, a fire pit offers a new dimension in backyard cooking or for place to sit around and have a fireside chat with friends. One of the recently popular fire pit designs is the chimineas. This round base with the tapering chimney stands above the ground and can provide limited warmth to a small patio or the back yard. Marshmallows can also be roasted over these fire pit designs, although with limited access.

Another favorite of the fire pit designs are metal pans on wheels that can be easily rolled from one part of the yard to another. They will typically have a heavy metal screen surrounding the upper portion and a steel top to keep sparks from flying out into the air. They are made to burn wood and can provide a decent amount of heat from all directions, making them great for outdoor entertaining.

Some Designs Are Built Into The Ground

For the family that uses a fire pit frequently, in-ground fire pit designs are essentially a hole dug into the ground with rocks or bricks lining the sides, extending above ground level. This provides a place for a wood fire and protects the fire from the wind. With a built-in fire pit, metal rods can be placed on two sides to hold another steel rod on which chicken, beef or pork can be roasted over the fire.

More permanent fire pit designs can be connected to a natural gas line instead of using a wood burning pit, with the gas working much like a propane grill for cooking. It can be similar in design to the chimineas or the pan-style fire pit. The drawback is they are not portable.

With a little bit of knowledge and inspiration, an in-ground fire pit can also be connected to a gas line, although to connect the gas line safely it is advised the connections be done by a qualified plumber. Of all the fire pit designs to choose from, portable and stationary, there is one to fit your need.