A Fire Pit is Year-round Fun!

When most people hear the words “fire pit” they think of chilly weather with mittens and hot chocolate. And yes, fire pits are great for getting outdoors in the winter months. But really, a fire pit creates a year-round backyard event. Consider a fire pit in your backyard in terms of an “urban campfire”: a reason to congregate outdoors during all seasons — including summer — to watch the stars and roast marsh mellows. Yes, we consider a fire pit to be an essential element of our patio environment.

What Kind of Fire Pit Should You Have?

Initially I thought I wanted a huge pit for a crowd of friends to enjoy. Go big or go home, right? I researched one of those corrugated metal rings around which I could encase in stone or pavers . . . the kind you get your feet up on to keep your toes toasty in the cooler air. But that was more involved than I wanted a fire pit to be. And I had some other criteria that my fire pit needed to meet.

My Fire Pit Wishlist:

• Our backyard is sloped so I didn’t want to have to re-grade a large portion of my yard to build a level seating area around the pit. I needed a smaller fire pit that was movable in case I wanted to relocate it in my yard at a later date. A smaller pit meant more intimate fires with fewer friends each time but that’s OK.
• I wanted a fire pit with a mesh or screen over the flames to keep any sparks or embers in-check to prevent fire where it wasn’t wanted. When looking at a larger, custom fire pit, I would have had to go to a metal shop and have a mesh cover fabricated. That added several hundred dollars to the cost — not budget friendly. 
• I also wanted a solid metal cover so when I was done enjoying my patio fire pit and was ready to head inside for the night, I could confidently cover any remaining embers knowing nothing would get out of control as the fire burned itself out. Again, a custom fabrication was required for more dollars then I was willing to spend. I did find some pre-fab options online, but their cost was equal to what I would spend locally plus the cost of shipping. 
• I wanted a fire pit that would hold up in the weather. Stainless steel was my initial choice. 
• And I like things that are well made — beefy. 

And So the Search Began . . .

I looked at many options online and read hundreds of reviews. (I am a faithful reviewer when I buy a product because I rely on reviews so much when I am making a purchase.) I read about wear and tear, early rust, lack of amenities such as the mesh cover I wanted. But I also heard people say how much they and their families enjoyed the time they spent around the fire pit they selected. My search was fruitful because I finally found one option that met all of my wants and needs at the price point I was willing to pay. We bought the Smokeless Wood Fire Pit from Sam’s Club for about $250. It’s currently out of stock but check Sam’s often because it is a great fire pit at a reasonable price. If you can’t wait, click here for another option from Yaheetech.

This pit is stainless steel and double-walled to help cut down on the smoke. It has both a mesh dome to cover the fire while it’s burning to check embers as well as a solid steel cover to close it off when you’re ready for bed. It is big enough/small enough for four to six people to comfortably saddle-up to the fire, winter or summer.  

Can You Put a Fire Pit in Your Backyard?

OK, normally I am anal retentive in terms of details and cover all my bases in the correct order. Not this time (but it worked out OK). After getting the fire pit and putting it all together (it is beefy — yay!), I decided to take some photos of the pit and email the guy in our town who handles code issues. He forwarded my email to the county fire chief. Here’s what the chief said:

• The device pictured would be legal. (Sending a photo was a good idea.)
• Ensure that it is located at least 15 feet from anything that could burn.
• The fire should be attended at all times and extinguished when done.
• Burn only dry, seasoned wood to diminish the amount of smoke the fire may create.
• Locally there are outdoor burning restrictions during certain hours of the day and months of the year due to dry conditions and high winds.

I was very happy that I took the time to check the regulations and get the fire chief’s approval to make sure I was in compliance and we could enjoy our fire pit to the max!

Fire Pit Prep:

My fire pit area is grass covered but I knew the heat from the fire would scorch the grass so I did dig up the sod and laid in some pavers I had knocking around. This gave me a level spot for the pit and the pavers acted as a heat barrier. 

And, despite the pit being stainless steel, I did buy a fabric cover that fit perfectly. It was weather proof but I sprayed a coat of Scotch Guard on it anyway. 

How to Build a Fire

The website rei.com has a fabulous post about building a fire and all that’s involved. See the post here.

To burn a successful fire, you’ll need three types fuel: tinder, kindling, and firewood.

• Tinder includes small twigs, dry leaves, needles or forest duff. Or, you could use livingonthepatio.com Fire Starter Pouches as your tinder.
• Kindling consists of small sticks, typically less than one inch around.
• Firewood is any larger piece of wood and is what will keep your fire going long into the night.

Are Fire Pits a Good Idea?

Absolutely! We have found it is one of the best ways to spark conversation (no pun intended) and spend an hour or two with people who willingly do not check their cell phones for any reason — the fire is that engaging. And it offers a chance for you to get creative:

• When you’re around the fire and it’s chilly outside, wrap your hands around one of Julie’s Hot Toddys. 
• When you’re around the fire on a balmy summer night, grab a cold beer and enjoy some sausage wontons or homemade pizza. 
• Finally, you can explore various aromas the burning wood creates. Our favorite, after spending several decades living in and traveling around Colorado and New Mexico, is the smell of Pinyon wood from the Pinyon pine trees that grow in the southwestern U.S. It is truly a unique and enticing aroma. Search for it online to find local suppliers. 

Please Leave a Comment

I hope telling you about our fire pit journey has been interesting and, if you don’t have a fire pit, that you may be inspired to get one to start life happening on your patio. Take a few minutes in the comment section below to give us your thoughts on this post and/or tell us about your fire pit experiences. And post a photo of your pit!

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