When most people think of a backyard fire pit they tend to picture lazy days spent with the family lazily roasting marshmallows. While it’s possible to entertain guests with a backyard fire pit in most any city, not all cities have access to burning embers and there’s no place to sit around them to enjoy the heat. Outdoor kitchens are very popular and can often be built right on a patio. But how do you set up a fire on a patio? Here are some tips that might help.
The first thing you’ll want to consider is whether you need an open area large enough to accommodate the masonry burner. Open flame pits have a tendency to attract flies and rodents so keep the size reasonable. City dwellers can raise their own chimneys to improve air quality in their homes but many apartments and condos don’t have access to this option. If you do have an open deck, there’s still an option to install a permanent masonry chimney. However, you can still have an open fire on your patio. Folding grills can easily be installed between two large walls and a raised patio surface.
Next, decide where the fire pit will go on your patio. It’s often better to surround the area with furniture so that it doesn’t look like a mound of ash waiting for guests to set camp. Common areas would be near cooking equipment like stoves or ovens, outdoor grills, or dining areas like tables and benches. If you plan to build your own fire pit, choose a location that will blend in with the rest of your patio decor.
Patios with open spaces are ideal for wood burning fires. Fire pits can easily be built right on the patio with just a concrete footing. However, if you’re concerned about a mess or would prefer a more permanent solution consider one of the following options:
o Use cast iron fire pits that are sturdy and long-lasting. A popular choice is a round pit that measures an ample eight feet wide by four feet long. These come in a variety of sizes and are available in several finishes including natural stone or brick. Outdoor furniture made from metal, resin, and wicker are also available. If you’re planning to host an event and need a temporary table or chair, a folding outdoor dining set with matching chairs around six feet tall is ideal.
o Install gas burners. Propane fire pits that sitting on patio tables can be quite eye-catching. Just make sure you place them away from flammable objects such as curtains and dry leaves. Otherwise, you might be looking at a major gas leak!
o Use a propane fire pit that converts into a grill. Just like the traditional patio heater, this type provides a warming sensation by burning propane fuel. To do this, just add a propane tank, a cooking bowl, a spark screen and some food. Place the cooking bowl in the center of the pan and add a few logs or pieces of charcoal. Set your propane tank near the fire and insert cooking utensils into the masonry bowl.
o Consider using wood fire pit tables. These are great for providing a nice cozy atmosphere in the garden or patio. While wood can be expensive, it can also be made into beautiful pieces that can be enjoyed year round. Plus, most pieces come already sealed so you won’t have to bother with a paint job or a spark screen.
o Six Feet Up. Propane and wood fire pits come in different sizes and so do different models. If you want an open-air feel but would like the convenience of a fireplace, you can consider a gas fire pit. They look like regular patio furnaces and they can provide as much warmth as a heater and as much cooking convenience as a grill.
o Height requirements. The height of a pit can vary. Some models are only four feet high. Others can reach up to ten feet. And the longer ones can even hold three or more pit areas for those times when you have company over.
When choosing a fire pit, you need to consider how it will be used. Will you use it as a patio heater? Can you use it as a patio dining area? Will you put hot coals or other kinds of fuel in it? If you are interested in outdoor patio furniture, you might also want to consider other features such as built-in benches or a built-in bench rack for wood burning.