Types of Fire Pits and Safety Tips for Winter

A fire pit can be a wonderful gathering spot in the backyard for family and friends. It’s not only a source of warmth, but it provides a natural place to congregate. There are several different styles of fire pits to choose from, and there’s bound to be one that feels right for your home.

With this great power comes great responsibility. Fire always presents an element of danger if not carefully attended to. With the right precautions, a fire pit can be a safe and fun way to enjoy its warming glow.

Here are some tips on fire pit safety, as well as different types of fire pits and fire pit dangers to look out for.

Types of fire pits

Fire pits are an incredibly popular addition to an outdoor living space. Which one is right for you? Here are a few different types of fire pits that may work for your space.

One of the simplest fire pits is a round, metal cylinder or bowl with legs. It often comes with a removable mesh dome top to keep embers from floating up. These can range in appearance from basic to ornamented.

A fire bowl with a covered top and open sides is another popular option. This keeps rain from getting into the pit and allows you to put in more wood at any time. A similar option is a chiminea. This is a clay bulb with an open, pipe-like top and an opening on one side for placing wood inside.

There are also ground-based fire pits. These are usually rings with rock surrounding them to keep the fire from spreading. They should have good drainage underneath to avoid water pooling up where the fire will be. They can be quite affordable to install and variable in size.

Fire pit safety

Now that you know about the different fire pit options you have to choose from, here’s the great responsibility part. Here are some fire pit dangers to look out for, as well as some fire pit safety tips.

For starters, you want to place your fire pit at least 10 feet away from any combustible surfaces. And keep it small—this isn’t a beach bonfire situation, and you and your guests will want to keep close together anyway.

When starting your fire, never use gasoline as an accelerant. Place a piece of crumpled-up paper or a paper bag in the fire pit, and lay a few dry sticks over it as kindling. Once you light the paper and the sticks start to burn, add larger sticks until the fire is large enough to support a log. Then you’re good to go.

When you want a fire pit installed, it is possible to do it yourself—but it’s also possible to work with a professional landscape designer with a wealth of experience in choosing the right type of fire pit for aesthetics, function and safety. To get started building the fire pit gathering space of your dreams, contact RainforestLA, Inc. today.