As the cold weather comes around an outdoor lover needs to ensure that they have their fire pit situation in check. As the difference between having a fire pit and not having one in the fall and winter is days and nights spent by the television compared with time outside with families and friends. Like many things on the market, fire pits come in a variety of sizes, types, and price ranges.
Having the most expensive product does not necessarily mean it is going to be the best fire pit for your needs. The size, fuel, material, and local regulations all playing a major factor in what product will ultimately determine the best fire pit for wood deck based on your needs. The following guide will show you the pros and cons of different fire pits. Then you can make an informed decision when choosing yours and enjoy it for many years to come.
Fuel Types
There are a number of areas to consider when buying a fire pit. We can break these down into a number of categories. The first is the fuel type; will it be powered by wood, coal, or gas. Will it be a fixed fire pit of moveable. What material it will be made of and where it will be placed. By taking into account these factors and having an understanding of what each of the benefits is the fire pit owner can be confident in their purchase and be able to enjoy it for many years to come. Large lava stone fire pits are great, but if the prospective owner knows that they will be moving house regularly then this is probably not the most appropriate purchase for them.
Charcoal
Using charcoal as a fuel has the main advantage that a lot of heat can be generated in a small space. This makes it a great fuel for those that want to have a portable fire pit as the fire pit itself can be quite small. And the charcoal is also very light making transport easy. The concern with using charcoal is that it generates more heat. So if someone wants to have a large outdoor fire pit (which is the centerpiece of the garden) they won’t be able to make a big flame without making it almost unbearable for people to sit around. The increased temperature is also a concern for the material of the fire pit itself. One must ensure that the fire pit is able to use coal in it without destroying its construction. So generally, charcoal is best for small, heavy-duty fire pits that may or may not be portable.
Wood
A wood burning fire pit will give you the traditional look and also gives you the option of burning specific woods to give a nice scent. Owners must be cautious with their wood selection if they are planning to cook food over their fire pit. The wood can give a strange scent. On the plus side, you can buy firewood almost anywhere for a fair price. Or even gather it for free helping to keep the fire pit cost low. Also, you can keep it in a large supply so that the firepit is always ready for action.
Controlling the heat can take a little practice, as it is easy to add too much firewood. But this is a short-term issue and with experience, you can overcome it. Wood can also be a viable option for portable firepits, but is definitely heavier and more cumbersome than using charcoal. For a permanent firepit, wood is one of the most visually appealing options.
Gas
Gas will give the user the most control over their fire pit. You can quickly turn it up or down to provide the ideal temperature almost instantaneously. This is a great option for fire pits that are used for short periods of time. The user does not need to wait for it to heat up and then doesn’t need to worry about putting out the fire, instead merely turning off the gas. Gas flames are also very visually appealing if you set them up correctly.
Although you can quite easily move gas bottles around, gas is better for permanent fire pits. Or at least the ones that will remain in a backyard. The risk of storing gas is higher than the previously mentioned fuels, but if cared for correctly it should not be a deterrent to buying one. Natural gas or propane fire pits can be very attractive options as you can see on the picture.
Location
Fixed
Fire pits can quite easily become the feature of a backyard and the main spot for people to congregate. You can make them into a whole outdoor dining/relaxation area with no expense spared. Or they can be the type of steel firepit rings that is more rustic and is semi-buried into the backyard as in the picture. So that people can sit on the ground around it. There is also the option to have a fire pit ring as big as necessary which is not the case with a portable as someone still needs to be able to lift them.
Portable
The best portable fire pit feature is mobility. They are great for those that have multiple entertaining areas as the heat can easily move from one area to another. Although you have to be careful when the fire pit is hot. Conversely, people with limited space prefer those. You can keep the outside fire pit out of the way when you do not use it and throughout summer when you do not need it. They are generally smaller than fixed fire pits and therefore won’t provide the same amount of heat to a large group of people.
Portable firepits are best suited to using charcoal or wood as it is generally not advisable to be moving a gas cylinder around with the firepit. Portable products are also a good option for those who are buying their first firepit and want to see if it is something they will use often and enjoy. As they have a significantly lower investment than a permanently fixed firepit and are much easier to set up for their first use. They can even have wheels like the one pictured that make their movement easier.
Material
There are really four main options for fire pit materials. The more traditional is a stone which by its nature is best for fixed pits. These are not very practical or easy to move. The second is steel or metal fire pits which need to have some protective paint to allow it to handle the heat as well as to resist rust. The third common material is cast iron which is very good at retaining the heat and is also very aesthetically pleasing. There are also homemade brick ones, that you should avoid as they are unstable and carry a high risk of injury, as well as being the uglier option of the four.
A recent trend is faux materials imitating the more traditional options such as stone. This can be very useful for people that want a semi-permanent solution. There are also some very unique options made from high-end materials such as an outdoor copper fire pit. You can see one of the copper fire pits on the picture.
Accessories
Choosing a fire pit is the most important step, but accessorizing it with the right equipment will allow the owner to use their pit safely and also get the most enjoyment out of it. A key accessory for those that have children is a fire pit spark screen or fire pit lids. That will keep sparks from shooting out of wood fire pits and burning children. These are available in a range of sizes and you should choose a fire pit lid that fits correctly.
As a fire pit spends its time outside in the elements, they are built tough. But that doesn’t mean one should forego a cover. Outdoor fire pit accessories give an extra layer of protection and keep it clean. As well as keeping pets and children from playing in the dirty ashes in the case of wood and charcoal burning fire pits.
Although fire pits are generally bought for people to warm up around and for their decorative look it is also possible to cook on them. The setup can be quite complicated or it can also be simple like the option on the picture. Even though not necessary for a patio fire pit, there is nothing that says sitting around the fire more than roasting marshmallows. So a roasting set like this will save you searching around for sticks and will also be more hygienic.
Regulations
Before purchasing a fire pit it is a good idea to check your local area’s regulations. Even in your backyard there can be restrictions on locations. For example, they can only be more than x meters from a permanent structure and fences. There can also be certain times of the year when you can’t light them up. Sometimes you are allowed to use only gas fire pits to reduce the chance of accidental forest fires. The same can be true for public parks and reserves. But it is best to check with your local authority to ensure you are complying with the latest and the most relevant legislation.
Safety
Aside from regulations, you should consider personal safety. This is an even bigger concern for those with small children and pets. Fire pits are low to the ground and it can be quite easy for children to access them and cause themselves harm. This might mean that a raised solution is the better option. Or fencing off the areas to ensure children only have access to the fire pit area when parents are around.
Conclusion
The preceding guide highlights the main areas to take into account when choosing the best fire pit for wood deck. There is no one best model and a prospective buyer needs to take into account the size of the pit they desire and whether it will be a permanent structure or not. What fuel they want to burn and what material the fire pit needs to be made of. Secondary to this consider if a firepit should be a major focal piece of the backyard or it will be more of a workhorse that will double as a barbeque.
Once you take care of these primary concerns, you need to identify the relevant legislation and safety factors to see if your chosen solution is possible. If all of this is in order, you can purchase the fire pit, together with any relevant accessories. By following this buying procedure you can make sure that you will select a fire pit that you will enjoy for years to come. You should also visit our fire pit reviews section to see details about individual products and some of the best fire pits on the market.
After reading this article you might have realized that a mushroom patio heater would be a better choice for you. You can try our Infographics with a quick checklist.
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