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Sunday, 25 December 2011

Build An Indoor Fire Pit

If you appreciate the use of a fire pit and you can see its potential as a good home decoration, you can certainly build your own. building your own will certainly bring a different environment in your house. In this case, if you are wondering how to build one, here are some guidelines that you can consider:

Look for the expert. For sure there are people that offer building premade pits. If you know someone, you should ask them for their services if you are that serious in building an indoor pit. The sooner you get one, the sooner you can get your own indoor pit.

You should think of your own design. It is important that you completely convey all the things you like to the expert you hired so that they can base the structure of the pit according to the characteristics you want.
Ask the expert the materials needed to start the project. Make sure to point out that you want the best or quality material.

After you procured the list of materials, the next thing that you should do is to purchase it. If you are working on a budget, just look for stores that offer quality materials but not as expensive.


Wait for it and be prepared to be amazed.


If you have no idea about pit types, the following are useful information that can help you decide and determine the appropriate type for you:


Portable Pits

Gas
Propane
Copper
Stone or Brick
Others

There you go. Whatever you have in mind, whether you want to combine types or you settle for a single type and make it your own, you should learn safety precautions. You want to be safe especially when you use it right? So in this regard, safety precautions include:
If you are using propane or natural gas, before starting the fire, you should check hoses and valves for leaks. Prevention is better than cure right? This won't take time anyway so before starting fire, always keep in mind to check.

After you made fire, the next concern is to control the fire. In order to do this, you should start a slow fire and keep away from dry leaves, woods and other flammable debris around. Create a fire that is stable.

If you are having a party or an event in your house, you should keep an eye to the people around especially children to avoid any burning situation.


If you want to use it continuously, you should stock supplies especially if there is an event. If you are using woods, pile them and if you are using gas or propane, just stock considerable amount for continuous use.


Building
an indoor fire pit is possible if you are really serious. You should not worry because you can for sure find experts that can make you an amazing pit. The good news is that indoor fire pits are not that expensive so you can enjoy its use and the beauty it brings.

Friday, 16 December 2011

Outdoor Fire Pit Safety - Common Sense Guidelines For Safe Use Of Your Outdoor Fire Pit

Building the fire
It's generally best to start slow and keep the fire well-controlled. Most experts recommend that you use natural materials such as kindling or commercially available fire starter sticks for starting a fire rather than lighter fluids or other chemical products. These natural materials generally give you greater control as they start a little more slowly. Starting a fire too quickly can easily allow it to get out of control before you know it. Most experts also agree that a fire will last longer if you start small. For yours and your family's safety, start small - go slow!

Another consideration of fire building is the stacking of wood and kindling. Again, for greater control and higher levels of safety, be careful to not stack the wood/kindling too high in the
outdoor fire pit. Often times, as wood burns, it shifts and falls. This can create a very dangerous situation very quickly - especially if the wood is stacked high.
Positioning of Your Outdoor Fire pit
Another important factor in proper use of your outdoor fire pit is to keep your fire pit a safe distance from your home and any outdoor furniture or other flammable materials. Experts recommend it be placed at least ten feet from your home and three to five feet from furniture, plants, foliage, etc. It takes only seconds for disaster to strike. Also make sure that your fire pit is placed on a steady/level surface.

In addition, it is recommended that you clear away brush and dead/dry vegetation in about a 15 to 20-foot circle around your fire pit, and avoid placing your fire pit near low hanging trees where errant sparks and heat might ignite dry foliage and branches. A spark screen is recommended. Keep a working fire extinguisher or garden hose with a spray nozzle nearby, so that if sparks do escape the fire, you can smother them quickly. Never place a
fire pit in an enclosed area; fumes from it can be harmful without proper ventilation.
Liquid Propane (LP) and Natural Gas (NG) Fires
LP and NG Fires generally require less attention/tending and are more convenient and easy to light. However, there are important precautions to take when using these types of products as well. Before each use of your LP or NG Fire products, you should check all of the hoses, valves and attachments to make sure there are no leaks or holes before introducing any kind of flame or spark. If your LP or NG fire product uses a pilot-light for fire starting, be sure to check it periodically to make sure it has not been blown out and that combustible gases are not leaking into your fire area. Always know how and where to shut of your LP or NG supply in case of an emergency.

Personal Protection
Last, but certainly not least, be sure to protect yourself! Never handle hot fire pits or embers. Always allow the pit and other fire materials to cool fully before cleaning, and during the burning of the fire, use a poker or log grabber to move and arrange logs.

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Wood Burning Fire Pits

Wood burning fire pits are great additions to any backyard. There are many ways that you can enjoy the popping fire during the day as well as at night. With the heat, you can enjoy the outdoors even on the cool days of winter. It is important that you learn how to properly use a fire pit. Also, come up with some fun activities where you can incorporate the use of your fire.  When using fire pits, be sure that you do so in the safest way possible. It is a good idea to check with the regulations of backyard fires in your area. Some locations have requirements on where you can place a fire pit in accordance to a patio or deck. Others require that you place the pit on top of concrete or with a barrier of bricks or cement around it. Place the pit away from anything that could easily check on fire by flying embers.
Avoid using anything to fuel the fire that will make to start or progress too quickly. Gasoline is not necessary for a fire pit. Instead, use matches and kindling or newspaper to begin the fire. Wood burning fire pits should be large enough for all of the items you include inside it. Do not place a log that extends the area of the pit, as it can catch fire and cause the fire to spread.
There are many ways you can enjoy fire pits. One way is by cooking your meal on them. You can pretend to be sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs without even leaving your backyard. A hot dog meal is very easy to plan for, as all you need is a bit of food and a place to sit. If you want a more elaborate meal, you can purchase a pit that comes with a grill for cooking hot dogs and steaks.

Another good idea for
wood burning fire pits is to roast marshmallows. Grab a long stick and place your marshmallows on the end, getting them good and warm before eating them. This makes a wonderful dessert following a meal cooked on the fire, or you can choose to just have them as a snack. If you want to go all out, get some graham crackers and chocolate candy bars and create s'mores with the roasted marshmallows.
As you can see, wood burning fire pits can be a worthy investment for your backyard. Make sure you install it in a place that will prevent the fire from spread or burning other items nearby. Get a fire pit that offers a grill top so that you can cook meals outdoors while sitting around the fire. Toward the end of the event, snack on some marshmallows or s'mores.

Thursday, 24 November 2011

A Fire Pit Ring In Your Backyard

Fire pit rings can make a very nice winter setting in your backyard or garden, not very complicated to set up and maintain, the fire pit ring is just like a regular fire ring only that you can build a fire pit around it and make it nicer to sit by and, naturally a nice feature in your property.

Fire pit rings can be bough at most do it yourself shops and connected to gas or by using a natural burning wood you can build yourself a nice and easy outdoor fire place that will make you and your guests very warm and happy during the cooler months of the year. What can be nicer than a warm burning fire and some friends to pass a night of companionship, in this simple camp like environment we easily go back to our childhood and spend some quality time with the family and your friends.
As in all things the fire rings cost money, and need some maintenance, but the great thing is that in this particular case they are easy to build, cheap to buy, have almost no maintenance costs and last for a very long time. Some of the nicest fire rings on the market cost no more than a few dozens of dollars and are portable, meaning you can move them around, from you backyard to another location or from place to place in your property.

This portable quality of the fire pit rings makes it a sweet feature in every house, especially if you got kids that would be happy to have a family fire once in a while and roast some delicious marshmallows, or taken to the woods or beach for a nocturnal adventure. Many of the fire pit rings have an extra feature, a metal bar that can be used for cooking, making the fire pit an complete solution for the family cookout.


The fire pit ring was originally a simple stone structure that encompassed a burning fire so the flames would not go uncontrolled and cause damage to the surroundings or people that used to sleep around it, even today you can find a lot of people who have different methods of constructing special stone fire pit rings, maximizing the potential of the fire and its burning time.
With the development and art of metal welding fire pit rings have become more durable and much more technical, this provided most people with a nicer solution to digging holes and building fire rings with heavy stones, this developed even more into a cooking stove in time of need by using the metal surface as a cooking platform.

There are many advantages to having a
fire pit right outside your door, you should always keep an eye on the fire and remember that this is not something that you can leave unattended, you should also advise a certified plumber before installing any gas pipes and connections to other pipes.

Sunday, 6 November 2011

Why The Sojoe Fire Pit Is Good In The Back Yard

Each person can't fail to enjoy an evening along with family and friends close to a camp fire. Although, for a good number of us, this simple pleasure simply is not practical in our smart carefully designed decks and back yards. But if your back yard is too fine for a campfire it may be time to acquire you and your family one of the Sojoe Fire Tubs.

These sturdy, yet movable
fire tubs give a trouble-free and secure place for an outdoor camp fire. But, significantly they look beautiful, no matter if lit or not these give an added feature to your garden. Undeniably a change for the better from that area of scorched soil that is left behind after a usual camp fire.
Sojoe fire pits are widely copied. Hardly unexpected given that the design is a real winner, both useful in addition to superb to view. A cut-rate version may possibly be enough for some but ensure that you are discovering a great deal. If not you will be more happy purchasing the genuine object because these are produced out of real steel over 3mm wide, which may be approximately three times as wide as that which the budget models make use of. Stable construction would be vital if you do not want the fire bowl itself to warp as well as become dented because of the heat of the bonfire.

Sojoe
fire pits are prepared with a rustic powder outside layer which will ensure that there is not any upkeep or refinishing required. Again, definitely not something that may be alleged regarding all of the cheaper products.

The Sojoe fire pit plan is straightforward. 3 legs bear an extra big fire bowl. Which makes it possible for large, camp fires to be built up and for convenient management of the logs. All round the perimeter of the tub itself are charming cut out shapes. Their most widespread motif contains stars and moons, although horses, wild life along with more abstract shapes are obtainable. The object is that you get to catch a glimpse of the flames of the fire itself via these patterns offering a little hint of charm to the camp. There could be what's more a more functional objective. These cut outs allow fresh air to get all the way into the middle of the bonfire. This keeps the blaze burning hotter for longer, yet again you have to interfere less with the flames! A bar is incorporated near the periphery of the fire bowl. This serves as a carrying grip for moving the fire pit table, and in addition as a protection rail-come-foot rest on top of which to make your toes nice and comfy.
A fine mesh ember shield is supplied so that you have no fears where you dwell in a woody area, and besides keeps tiny fingers away from the flames.

Perhaps even more importantly however, Sojoe fire pits arrive including a poker and cooking grill. Nothing is better than sausages grilled over logs so why haven't you got your Sojoe fire pit already?

Thursday, 27 October 2011

Round The Year Fire Pit Delight

Most people desire to enjoy the serenity of the night without thinking about miseries. It is nice to drift into the enigmatic beauty of the stars in the sky and the luster of the moon. At present, despite the hectic lifestyle of people, some are still wishing to enjoy a precious evening in the patio by just sitting around the fire and glancing at its crisp orange flames.

Year-round patio enjoyment can be had when there is a functioning
fire pit to keep you warm and spirited. Fire pits are becoming popular by day. Said popularity triggered an influx of fresh designs, styles and materials to complement not just the patio but also the house in general.
Fire pits can be permanent or portable. They serve as containers for barbecues, bonfires, as well as outdoor heat. They also come in different sizes, sources and accessories. Some fire pits use wood while others use natural gas. Several fire pits are also designed to roast marshmallows while others can carry out a more complicated function such as container of a bonfire during a camping adventure.

One of the most striking fire pits available these days is called chimenea. Chimenea is a circular tub made out of ceramic, iron or other metal. It is an outdoor stove that is intended to provide heat and cook food by using fire pit wood. There are also other designs that are intended for the traditional wood fire pits like the copper bowls. Other fire pits have the rotisserie bar option. The portable version of which can accompany you to the beach, woods, or even just in the backyard. You can also use these fire pits roasting chicken or grilling burgers. This is done to make your fire pit investments go a long way. These types of fire pits accept coals and logs as sources.
Complex fire pit designs use natural gas instead of wood. They are usually fixed. Sometimes they use fire pit special products to boost their performance.

In selecting a fire pit, it is best to weigh the pros and cons. If you wanted a portable fire pit, choose a lightweight fire pit that can be assembled easily. If you want a fire pit for your patio, better use a dish or bowl design. Be sure that fire pit special products like screen dome or cover are part of the package. Also consider the size of the equipment especially when you intend to use logs and coals. When you are purchasing a fire pit with grill, make sure that there is an attached tool to raise the grill.

To maintain the fire pit, remove the ashes a day after you use it. Other fire pits require regular painting. Hence, seek advice from the paint store representative near you.

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Modular Fire Pit Patios - Transform Your Backyard

DIYers, landscapers, and landscape architects now have a unique and innovative outdoor living item to quickly and affordably enhance their fire pit areas and outdoor living projects. The pre-made fire pit patio. Recently premiered at the backyard Living Expo, held in Orlando, FL, the response to pre-made fire pit patio was simply overwhelming.

Pre-made
fire pits, also known as “pre-cast” fire pits, are produced year-round indoors, under controlled conditions, to ensure the highest quality and consistent product strength.
Each pre-cast fire pit is 10-1/2 feet in diameter, 1-1/2 inches thick, made of reinforced 5,000 PSI concrete, and is cut into eight segments. The 8 segments fit onto one pallet. The standard pallet size is 48" x 48" and approximately 26 inches high. Estimated weight of the pre-made patios is 1550 lbs.

“Pre-Cast” 
Fire Pit Patio Benefits:

1) Overall costs for these
patios will be lower than comparable “poured
in place” concrete patios.

2) Requires less labor and reduced skill levels.


3) Overall faster install time.


4) Can be installed in virtually any weather, year-round.


5) Does not require permits as with permanently installed concrete.


6) Existing landscaping is not destroyed upon installation.


7) No heavy equipment required.


8) Can be easily removed and relocated.
9) Can be installed in inaccessible locations.

Each segment of the pre-made
patio can be easily handled by two people and no special tools are required for installation, just ordinary garden tools.

Environmental Benefits:


* Reduced
fire hazard from sparks and stray cinders.

* Eliminates erosion around existing
fire pits.

* Guests will be drawn to the
fire pit area, saving surrounding landscaping.

Fire pits can be easily relocated, as this product is modular.

* Increased accessibility for handicapped or physically challenged guests.

Sunday, 21 August 2011

Cook Outdoors With A Fire Pit

Many of us love to eat outdoors, enjoying that special atmosphere that we get from being out in the open. We can relax in a pleasant environment and spend our time eating a great meal, with an excellent accompanying glass of wine.

For many people, cooking outdoors is a central part of this too. Rather than preparing food in the kitchen and then having to serve it in the garden, there's practical sense in doing the cooking in the garden too.
But there are also differences when it comes to taste. Cooking over an open fire gives some unique flavours. It's difficult to replicate those if you're intending to use a conventional oven instead. So does this mean that you need to make use of a barbecue?

This has certainly been the first choice for some years now, although the emerging popularity of
fire pits is changing the concept that most people have of cooking outdoors. The great thing about a fire pit is that it offers two functions.

It can obviously be used for cooking. But a barbecue will allow for this too. The key difference is that a contemporary
fire pit looks really impressive. This means that you can use it for the entire evening.

It will provide you with a centre-piece. You can enjoy the flames and the fact that your evening will be extended. You'll no longer need to start looking for layers of clothing. Instead, the same garden accessory that provided your meal will not provide the heat that you need to get through the evening.


That's why more and more people are choosing to cook in this way. It's something that you might like to consider if you want to make the most of your outdoor dining experiences.

Monday, 15 August 2011

Enhance Your Backyard With An Outdoor Fire Pit

Outdoor fire pits are quickly becoming the gathering spot for family and friends on patios, decks and other backyard areas. They are a popular feature for many homes, apartments, camps, and a variety of other social gathering places. In addition to being a great way to stay warm and have fun, outdoor fire pits are perfect when you're looking for that feel of being around a campfire, but in the comfort of your own backyard or city deck.

Outdoor fire pits have many more uses and benefits than what you may think. When sitting around an outdoor fire pit, the quality of the interaction among friends definitely is improved. There is something about the warm glow of a fire that attracts and relaxes people. Outdoor fire pits bring a whole different atmosphere to your favorite outdoor space.


Tired of saying good-bye to your backyard in the wintertime? A well-made outdoor fire pit can turn that loss to gain. In fact, there's something special about coming together around a warm fire in the fresh air of winter.

Outdoor fire pits are not without practical uses. Cooking is one that comes readily to mind, especially as it relates to wood burning
fire pits. Beyond just roasting marshmallows, some outdoor fire pits may prove very useful when the electricity is down and you can't use the range or microwave.

Portable outdoor fire pits are versatile and specifically designed for small, easily controllable campfires that you can enjoy wherever you want. At the same time, they add a luxurious element to your outdoor style.


Sitting next to my outdoor fire pit works best for me under a crisp, starry night after a hectic and stressful day. Losing myself in the mystery of the dancing flames, the crackling and popping sounds of ashes launched into the night, and the unaffected smell of burning firewood drenched in fresh, cool air, is transporting and never gets old.


Of course, this kind of experience requires the right kind of outdoor fire pit, one that enhances its setting and meets your needs and preferences.


To that end, make sure you look around, because there are many options for outdoor fire pits. They vary a lot in size, style, and function, so do your homework before buying and remember that quality matters.


What material is used to make your
outdoor fire pit can influence how it works, how long it lasts, and what it will add visually to the space where it will be located. Wrought iron, aluminum, ceramic, stainless steel, copper, and cast iron are good examples of the kinds of materials used to make outdoor fire pits. Concrete, slate, and marble are used to make some beautiful custom-made portable outdoor fire pits.

Even though there is a lot of variety when it comes to the names and styles of outdoor fire pits, most fall into one of three categories in terms of the type of fuel they burn. Which one you choose, wood, propane, or natural gas, really should depend on two considerations. What are your preferences, and what is the availability of each type of fuel?


For example, natural gas and propane
fire pits are an excellent choice in places where wood burning is restricted, or where wood is not easily available. Natural gas may be more convenient, unless you don't already have natural gas lines installed.

On the other hand, wood burning fire pits are very popular for a number of reasons, including fragrance, cooking, and (for many) the joy of chopping and stacking firewood and building a campfire. In other words, there are a few things you need to think through before buying your outdoor fire pit.


In terms of price, you probably can find an outdoor fire pit under $100 that looks okay. However, you may wish you hadn't jumped at the deal when you see it rusting out after a few months in the weather. Quality does matter.


Those who have the money and appreciation for hand-crafted construction and the highest quality materials can easily find custom made portable
fire pits. Some marble and slate pits may cost well over $1,000.

Generally speaking, you can find quality made portable outdoor fire pits in a large variety of shapes and styles for $200 to $600. They truly are the perfect investment for people who want an affordable outdoor, low maintenance fire without the expense, space requirement, and restrictions of a solid stone outdoor fireplace structure.


In summary, portable outdoor fire pits are the perfect addition to any backyard, patio, deck or other place where people gather outdoors. They are a very effective way to bring people together in a relaxed, natural setting. With the variety of styles and prices available, there should be no problem finding just the right outdoor fire pit to enhance your favorite outdoor area.

Friday, 5 August 2011

Fire Pits for Sale - Factors To Consider Before Purchase

Many people are curious as to what are the types of fire pits for sale. When looking for an outdoor fire pit you don't just want to get one you like the look of, you also need to weigh in several other factors. Firstly, where do you want to use it? If you want it for your backyard, patio, or deck, or for camping and holidaying, you will be looking at different models to specifically suit your needs.

It is important to make sure you have enough space for the
fire pit in question that you are considering, but also to make sure it is big enough for the amount of people who are going to be gathering around it. When looking at the various wood burning fire pits for sale, it is often the case that the bigger or deeper the bowl, the larger the fire can be built, and therefore the more warmth that is provided to you and your guests. With natural gas or propane gas models it is a little different.
You will need to look at the amount of Btu's of the gas burners as well as the quality of the burners. In some cases you should also look at the size of the propane tank used. Most models will use a 20 pound liquid propane tank, but a few of the smaller models will use small cylinders instead, which usually produce less heat. Depending on how large of an area you wish to provide with heating, as well as how many people will be enjoying the fire at any one time, will help you to determine the size of and amount of heating needed from your outdoor fire pit.

Another thing to look at when shopping for
fire pits for sale, is the style. Some models are obviously very attractive and designed to decorate any outdoor setting very well, while others can be small and simple designs suited for efficient and portable camping use. If you are looking for a design for the outdoor area of your home, one style to consider would be the fire pit table. This is just like a fire bowl or pit and can be used as such, but has a table like trim around the edges of the fire bowl. The benefits to this style, is that it raises your fire up from off of the ground, providing more warmth at a similar level to the people around it, and therefore can be a very good heating source. Another benefit is the most obvious it can be used as a table too! Ever thought about how awesome it would be to be able to dine around a cozy warm fire? Well now you can with ease with a fire pit table.
You can also look at the materials used in construction when shopping for fire pits, and try to find a high quality model that will last. Cast aluminum, steel, slate and copper are just a few of the options available in fire pits for sale. It is best to look at the quality of the model as well as the feedback from owners, to help you to determine which model is best for you. Do not simply look at the type of metal used as the quality can vary.

Last but not least, choose a fire pit that you love the look of! The more you love it, the more you will use it, so take some time to find a model that you find very attractive that will also blend in well with your existing outdoor furnishings.


Not sure where to begin your search? You can start by looking at the most popular
fire pits for sale on the market today. Whether you are after a fire bowl or fire pit table, you can read in depth reviews and browse the different designs available to assist you in your decision.

Sunday, 10 July 2011

How to Build Outdoor Firepit - Material Selection

Choosing to put in an outdoor firepit is a pretty big undertaking. It's going to involve hours of work. Building an outdoor firepit is worth it though. A well designed firepit can make any back yard just pop. It provides a great gathering area for groups of friends and family. Before you grab your shovel though and start digging up the yard how about taking a few minutes to learn one part of how to build outdoor firepit: material selection.
Let's look at the basics of a firepit. In it's simplest form it's just a hole in the ground. Chances are you'll want something a little prettier than that though. So working from the inside out here are some of the materials you can use when figuring out how to build outdoor firepit.

Once you've dug the hole you have 2 options, staying natural or a liner. Both have advantages and disadvantages.


Leaving the pit bare saves you time and money. Once you're done digging all that you need to do is edge the hole. The biggest disadvantage to this method is that any rainstorm can wash out the sides of the pit and make it unstable.


If you've decided to line the
firepit then you have a few options.

The cheapest method is to pour gravel into the hole and press it into the sides. It's a cheap affordable way to ensure proper drainage.
The most expensive option is to brick and mortar the entire hole, while leaving drain holes in the bottom. It's an attractive solution, and you'll never have to worry about one of the sides washing out.

Once you've figured out just what to do with the hole, let's look at some decorative edging. Again you can opt to just leave the sides bare.


Leaving a gaping hole in the ground probably isn't the greatest idea, someone could trip and fall into the pit. So here are some edging options going again from least to most expensive.


Use the dirt that you excavated from the pit to build a berm around the edge of the pit.

Like with leaving the hole unlined, you'll have to worry about wash out.

The next method is to place large rounded stones around the perimeter. The stones can get expensive but you'll only need a couple dozen to finish off the edge.


Stacked natural flagstones work great as well but you'll need much more material.


Moving away from natural stone you can choose to edge with curved concrete pavers.


The most expensive option again is to brick in the entire
firepit. Like with the brick lined pit, you will just extend the bricks up out of the hole and along the peremiter.

Price is only one of the considerations for designing a
firepit. Be sure that whatever you choose flows with your home and back yard theme. Hopefully this brief material guide can help you figure out just how to build outdoor firepit. Cost and style is completely up to you, whatever you decide though an outdoor firepit will make a fabulous addition to your backyard.

Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Gel fire pit


Fire pits are a great feature for any backyard or garden. For some people getting access to fire wood and easily extinguishing the pit can be a hassle. This is particularly true when they are used at locations such as commercial resorts. For places that need to quickly turn on and turn off fire pits a propane or gel fire pit may be a good solution.

Propane
fire pits have a hose that connects to a standard propane tank for easy lighting. These types of pits can work well if the tank can be easily hidden. Some pits are designed so that the tank can be hidden in a cylinder or if the landscaping is sufficient it can be designed in.

While this is an excellent solution some prefer to have the
fire pit untethered or free from gas lines and can't easily hide the tank in any location. A good example might be a resort that wants to put pits out on the beachfront property. For these situations gel might be the answer. These are designed with ceramic logs and then places to put a gel canister. If you have ever been to a catered event you have probably seen the gel canisters used to heat the food. This is the same concept except that the flames are much larger.

The
gel canisters are placed underneath the ceramic logs. This makes it incredibly easy to light and then extinguish the fire at a moments notice. It may not be quite as warm as other fire pits, but if you are looking for quick use and aesthetics this may be the right fit for you.

Sunday, 26 June 2011

A Backyard Fire Pit - Do It Yourself Today

If you've been looking at buying a fire pit, then you're probably already aware that you can buy ready-made models that only require some simple assembly. But wouldn't it be nice to create your own fire pit? One that's uniquely yours? You don't need a complicated set of blueprints to build your own fire pit - you just need to have an idea in your head of what you're trying to create. It doesn't take a lot to build a fire pit for barbequing or an outdoor campfire. A DIY fire pit can cost next to nothing to construct, apart from some time and hard work, and is even cheaper if you already have some materials such as bricks or rocks on hand.

The first step is to choose a safe location for your fire pit. Make sure it's nowhere near any structures that could catch fire, and locate it away from any
backyard traffic zones. It's also worth talking to your local fire department in case you need to know any particular rules or information before starting. Organize to have some stones or bricks ready for lining the inside of your fire pit. Then all you need to do is dig the hole. This might take a few hours of hard work with a shovel, but that's all.

Once your hole is deep enough, use the stones or bricks to line the perimeter of the hole, and continue these materials above the ground. You need the stones around the top to form a windbreak and to stop soil falling into the fire. If you want something a little fancier, you can build a stucco pit above the ground. Use magazines and the Internet to help give you lots of great ideas for your fire pit design. Think about your existing home and outdoor furniture, and design your fire pit to complement these existing elements in your backyard. If you're really stuck for ideas or want to create something a little more complicated, it's possible to order plans online that include a list of materials, and it's generally not very expensive.

Now you have a fire pit, safety is always important. Remember, this is a big hole in the ground, and you don't want any accidents. So it might be a good idea to cover the
pit when it's not being used. You can just use a piece of scrap metal or wooden board and cut it to fit. You can also choose to buy a basic fire pit, which will generally include the basics such as a cover, log grill and spark screen, and then build a brick or stone wall around that. This will help stop pets or children from running into the fire pit by accident.

For a gas
fire pit, you will need to buy either gas fire logs or a simple metal fire ring. Then you simply need to design and build the housing.

Whatever you decided, it's great to do it yourself and have a fire pit that will be the envy of all your neighbors.

Saturday, 25 June 2011

How to Build an Outdoor Fire Pit

What better way to light the night and ward off the chill of winter than sitting in front of an outdoor firepit with a steaming cup of cocoa? Building a fire pit is labor intensive but a great way to add beauty to the backyard. Here are a few tips for how to build an outdoor fire pit using natural stone.

Before starting the build there are a few safety items to keep in mind. Digging up the
backyard can be hazardous without some precautions. Be sure to call your utility companies to come out and check for any buried lines, or pipes. You don't want to end up rupturing a gas line or hitting a sewer pipe! The other concern is building the fire pit away from any overhead obstructions. Catching a tree or roof on fire is a really fast way to spoil an evening in front of the fire pit.

If you're looking to put in a large
fire pit then you might want to consider renting a small backhoe. They aren't cheap but it certainly makes life easier. You won't break your back shoveling and you'll have the hole finished in only a couple bucket loads.

Now that you've got a huge hole in the
backyard it's time to pretty it up.
The first step is to line the sides and bottom of your new fire pit. Landscape shops will have a great variety of natural stone available. For the sides of the fire pit use some flat stone such as slate. This will help shed water and funnel any runoff to the deepest part of the pit. You can cement the stones into place for added strength.

For the bottom of the
pit just pour in a couple inches of gravel. The gravel will help with drainage and you won't have to worry about having a muddy mess at the bottom.

Once you've finished up with the walls and bottom of the
fire pit it's time to tie the whole thing together with a decorative border. Pour another layer of gravel a few inches deep around the entire edge of the fire pit. An attractive option is to use really large smooth rounded rocks, almost boulders for the edge. Be careful they're heavy. Place the rocks all along the outside edge of the hole. You'll want to wiggle them back and forth to make sure they nestle into the gravel.
The next step is to fill in any gaps between the stones with smaller sized rocks. Keep working your way down in size until you have a uniform rock wall edging completely encircling the fire pit.

The only thing left to do is clean up! All the dirt you dug out of the fire pit can be used to start a garden, build a raised flower bed, or fill in any depressed spots in the yard.

There you have it, how to build an outdoor fire pit using natural stone. It's an exhausting task but one you'll be able to enjoy all year long. Just add wood and cocoa!

Fire Pit Tables - Cozy Nights by a Warm Fire

If you are looking to decorate your patio, create a lovely outdoor setting or complete your outdoor entertaining area, you will be interested in one of the hottest trends in outdoor furniture, the patio fire pit table. These fire pit tables are a popular option in outdoor furnishings because of the benefits they offer, as well as the feel they give to your outdoor space.

What is drawing in most people to opt for a
fire pit table over a regular fire bowl or pit is its ability to be used as an outdoor or patio table. And depending on the size and style of the model you choose, some are large enough to be used as a dining table. This is a lot of fun to be able to sit around a warm fire at night with friends and enjoy a delicious dinner. With this type of model, there is usually a protective dome or screen which can be placed over the fire bowl, to protect you from sparks when sitting close to the fire.

Fire
pit tables can be a wonderful way to liven up a dinner party or outdoor gathering. People are often drawn to sit close to a fireplace to enjoy the warmth they provide as well as the cozy atmosphere they create. This makes your backyard or patio, a great spot for chatting and a fun gathering area for guests. And not only can you enjoy a lovely dinner, but you can have a tasty dessert also. Roasting marshmallows and making "smores" is always a fun past time, and another enjoyable event of the evening.

When perusing at the different fire pit tables available, you will notice that a few designs actually have an extra piece that comes with the
table. This is used to cover the fire bowl when not in use, to completely convert your fire pit table into a regular outdoor dining or patio table.

You will also find choices in the fuel source of your fire pit table. Wood burning models tend to be very popular as people love to make their own cozy wood
fire. But propane models are becoming more widespread as people learn the benefits they provide. These propane fire pit tables are very easy to use, allowing you to turn your fire on in an instant. A natural gas model is also a possibility, albeit less common. These aren't portable like the other two options, as they are connected to the gas lines of the home.

Choose a design that you love the look of, and get ready to enjoy many cozy nights near a warm
fireplace.

Begin your search for the ultimate
fire table for your patio or backyard. Have a look at the different designs available and read in depth reviews of popular fire pit tables, which have been rated highly in quality, beauty and function to assist you in your choice.

Thursday, 23 June 2011

How to Make an Outdoor Firepit

An outdoor firepit is one of the simplest and easiest ways to enjoy your yard on an autumn evening. They take hardly any time at all to design and build. In fact you can probably get it accomplished in only a few hours on the weekend. So do you want to know how to make an outdoor firepit? Easy just follow a few easy steps.

Pick a spot in your yard that you don't mind digging up! The location should be clear of anything overhead that might catch fire.


Next on the safety side of things is to put a call into the utility company. Have them come out and mark any buried lines. You don't want to end up cutting any buried cables.


Once they've marked the location grab your shovel and pretend that you're a kid again trying to dig to China.


The hole you dig should be about 3 feet in diameter and about 24 inches deep. It doesn't need to be anything elaborate; a circular hole in the ground is all you're shooting for here.


Use the back of the shovel and compact the sides and bottom of the soon to be firepit.


This could be it! Really just a hole in the ground is all you need. But you might as well make it a pretty hole.

To keep the sides stable pour a couple bags of river rock into the pit. This will help with water drainage. Try and line the sides as well as bottom.


The next step is for beauty as well as safety; you don't want someone falling into your new firepit. A really attractive solution is to ring the pit with natural flagstones. These flat rocks lend themselves perfectly to decorative stacking.


Lay a row of large flagstones around the edge of your
firepit. For added sturdiness rock them back and forth to set them in the ground. Once complete just keep stacking more flagstones on top. Be sure that they fit well together without any shakiness.

You don't need a very high ring around the firepit, a foot is plenty.


Use some of the dirt that you dug out of the hole and put a small layer around the base of the flagstone ring to further secure it into place. You don't need much just enough to fill in any weak spots that might have a bit of wobble to them.


The last thing to do is getting rid of all the dirt you dug out.


This is a great time to fill in any low spots in your yard. Just dump the dirt out there and level it out.


There you have it a quick and easy
fire pit with natural flagstone fire ring around it. All you need now is a few chunks of wood, some old newspapers, and a lighter. In no time you'll have a crackling fire to sit around and make s'mores, roast hot dogs, you name it That's how to make an outdoor firepit fun as well as tasty!

Sunday, 12 June 2011

4 Reasons to Have a Backyard Fire Pit

There are many different items you can use for outdoor cooking. There are propane or charcoal grills, custom brick grills, there are smokers, small electric grills used for camping, or simply a campfire, and there are also backyard fire pits. Grills can be expensive and require regular cleanup. Smokers are great for barbeque but cook very slowly. Smaller camping grills just don't have the capacity to cook enough food for entertaining. A campfire without a pit can be dangerous and is not allowed in many cities.

One advantage of
fire pits is you can set one up very easily. In fact, many people can do it themselves with basic materials like brick or stone and a cast iron frame. You could also put one together with an affordable kit. Simply follow the instructions from your kit or search for do it yourself plans online.

These pits can be a great place to entertain friends and family. On a cool evening you can simply sit around the fire and talk, you can roast marshmallows and make s'mores, or use it for cooking. A properly made pit offers all of the entertainment value of a campfire while still being safe in residential areas.


There are attachments available for pits that allow you to cook, rotisserie, and grill over a pit. With these attachments you can cook meat, kabobs, and anything else that a grill can do. Changing the wood or charcoal you use can also easily change the flavor of the meat that you are cooking in a pit.


Backyard
fire pits offer a chance for friends and family to spend time together watching a fire without having to camp. Camping is an easy and fun way to get away for a weekend but there are advantages to staying home. You can get together for a couple of hours in the middle of the weak, you do not have to buy camping supplies when staying home, you do not have to drive several hours to find a decent campsite, and you do not have to pay for any passes or other fees.

Camping is a great way to get together and enjoy a warm fire. Unfortunately it is not always possible to get away. Grilling is a great way to cook certain meats and vegetables but is not the same as an open fire. These fire pits offer the best of both worlds for people looking to entertain in their backyards.

Friday, 10 June 2011

Fire Pit Table - Warm Up This Winter in Style

What is a fire pit table? What does it do? A popular new trend in outdoor heating is to have your own fire going, on your patio or deck. Providing great warmth to the area and looking stylish at the same time. That sounds like a lot of trouble though, having to build your own fire. How do you contain it? That's where a fire pit table comes in. Warming up with a fire becomes an extremely easy thing to do. What a fire pit does is keep a fire controlled and contained in one area, the "pit". This makes it very safe to have one, even in quite a small area like a patio.

Having your own fire pit table brings many benefits. It allows you to enjoy being outside on chilly afternoons and long into late cold evenings. Although, you won't be cold as you will have the constant heat from your fire warming you up. They are cozy for two people and can be enough to warm a whole group of people, making them fantastic for gatherings and parties. So you won't have to freeze if you want to spend some time outdoors. These outdoor fireplaces allow you to enjoy your patio or backyard at all times of the year.


A traditional
fire pit was one that you build yourself. You had to dig a large hole in the ground in your backyard and then line it with rocks. Building your own is not an option if you want your fire on your patio or deck, as well as sounding a bit too backbreaking for some of us. We want the luxury without the burden. The detrimental attribute of having a built in fire place, is that you cannot move it. What if you decide to move house, or you simply are going on a trip, you would not be able to take it with you. The same principle applies if you go for a more elaborate route and decide to have a custom built fireplace built into your backyard. Not only is this costly and time-consuming, but they are stationary as well.

Pre-built fire pits are becoming increasing popular as an accessible outdoor heating solution. The majority of them are very simple to put together and set up for use. People with little to no experience in starting fires can learn to use them comfortably with ease.

Patio fire pits come in a variety of different designs and models.


A fire pit table is just like an outside or patio table with a submerged bowl for your fire in the center of it. They are usually circular or square in shape and can be made of an assortment of materials including cast-aluminum, marble, slate, and steel. What's really marvelous about a fire pit table is its added functionality. Dinner parties will take on a whole new vibe, with sitting around an elegant patio fire pit table. Most have enough room for dinner plates, glasses and dishes to sit comfortably on the frame of the table, with the fire itself being covered and contained by a protective mesh dome. This allows you to have patio chairs right at the table, and enjoy sitting at the table safely, without any sparks from the fire touching you. A beautiful addition to any patio or deck, the fire pit table creates a lovely ambiance. They are very inviting to sit at to enjoy a conversation or to relax at, with a cocktail or coffee.

Another fire pit design is one with a large circular bowl. These do not have a border or tile, so cannot be used as a table. Instead they offer a nice amount of space inside a bowl to store wood logs. You can create a classic camp fire look with one of these. They come in large and smaller varieties, so you can choose what style you are going for, and how big you want your fires to be.


When choosing your fire pit table or patio fire, be sure to find out if it is wood burning or gas burning. There are distinctions to both.


A wood burning model burns using wood logs or artificial logs. You get that classic smell and feel with a wood burning fire. Plus you can roast marshmallows and other treats with a wood fire. Or if you wanted to you could buy a grill that fits over your wood fire pit; a couple of models actually come included with a cooking grill. Then you could use your fire as a barbecue and cook meals with it.

Gas burning styles are perfect for those who live in areas where wood burning is not permitted due to
fire hazard or air quality issues. They can run off either natural gas, which needs to be connected to a home's gas lines; or they can run off a connected propane tank. Gas fires are the easiest fires to light, with many newer models having electric ignition. This means lighting a fire is as simple as pushing a button or flicking a switch. Otherwise, long stem gas igniters would be used.

When choosing an outdoor fire pit that suits you, keep in mind where you want to use it. A patio fire pit table works great for smaller areas where you don't really want a large fire, but you still want to warm up the area nicely. You can create a warm and pleasant patio which is very inviting and comfortable, allowing you to enjoy your evenings outside, when it would otherwise be too cold. From cocktails and coffees, to lunches and dinners, a fire pit table provides an elegant and attractive, yet extremely useful addition to any patio.

Thursday, 9 June 2011

Garden DIY - Building a Fire Pit

A fire pit is the most basic, but also the most attractive, type of garden heater and it can be built very simply with a limited amount of DIY skill.

What is a fire pit?


In its simplest form, a fire pit is nothing more than a hole in the ground into which wood or coal can be placed and ignited. Most fire pits are however more involved than this and their design takes account of aesthetics and a more permanent structure.


Generally some form of seating or benching, along with a hard landscaped area, are also part of most fire pit projects.

The basic design


The main functional feature of a fire pit is an excavated hole in the ground. This hole is usually circular and has a diameter of not less than 18 inches. Most fire pits will be between 2 and 3 feet in diameter and the base of the pit will be between 6 inches and one foot below the surrounding finished ground level.


In order to make the fire pit more functional, more attractive and more versatile, a small wall is built around the perimeter of the pit. This enclosing wall will usually be between 12 to 18 inches high. It acts to contain the fire, tidy up the appearance and radiate and convect heat outwards from the fire pit.


A more complete design also supplements the fire pit with some surrounding hard landscaping and masonry bench seating.

The build


1. The first task is to find a suitable location. This should be away from buildings and other flammable materials and vegetation. The area should be generally flat and well drained.


2. Next, sand or chalk should be used to make a visible impression of the pits shape on the ground enabling the pit to be excavated. The base of the pit should be made of at least 6 inches of concrete, or better still 6 inches of compacted hardcore with a further 6 inches of concrete on top. This would require a dig of about 18 inches. This should require nothing more than a spade.


Important: If you intend to build the "
fire pit wall" on a concrete base, then the pit diameter should be adjusted to allow for the additional width of the fire pit wall. This will save the need for a separate footing.

3. Once the fire pit base is complete and the concrete has set, it will be possible to build the fire pit wall. The wall will run around the perimeter of the fire pit and enclose it.


This wall may be made of loose-laid stone or brick, or of mortar bonded masonry. If the latter is the case, then an additional mortar layer can be used to line the internal surface of the wall. In either case the stones or bricks should be staggered for stability and appearance.

4. Whilst this completes the main fire pit project, pavers, paving slabs, cobbles or brick sets can be used to create a clean and hard wearing surface around the fire pit.

Tuesday, 7 June 2011

Stone Fire Pit

There is one thing that can make a very big difference between having something that you use and that can help you from time to time and thee is a completely other thing which can be used from time to time but just having it will make your guests and yourself gaze and admire it, one such thing is a stone fire pit.

A stone fire pit is one of the most impressive things you can have in your garden, or in your outdoor kitchen, this unique idea has not been around for many years, but in the last few years people are more and more interested in having a stone fire pit in their garden or backyard. The stone fire pit looks like it is connected to the past, maybe a few hundreds of years ago almost every family in town had one but today it is truly a unique thing to have.


One of the great things in having a stone fire pit outside is that you will get a lot of freedom in deciding how it is going to look, and its looks is all what it's about, the stone fire pit will be impressive no matter what why you make it when it is lit and the fire is on, the question is how would you like it to look when its off, and how would you like the stone of the fire pit to relate to your garden and garden features.


The important things to remember when looking for a
stone fire pit are that you will need someone who knows how to design those, so that the fire is solid and that there is enough air flow to feed the fire so it is balanced on all sides of the stone structure, that it is safe and that you can approach the fire if you wish, some people like to get close to the fire pit in order to get warm or to fry marshmallows, either way you will need to make sure that the person in charge of building it knows what he is doing.

The basic design of a stone fire pit is almost always the same, and it is a very good opportunity for you to go wild and get whatever you had in mind, the only things you will need to consider are safety and usability of the stone structure, but other than that the stone fire pit is really about having something very impressive in your garden and that it will generate enough heat in the winter to keep you warm while you sit outside.


For those of you who are interested in something even more unique is the option to experiment with different stones and try and get all kinds of stones for the fire pit construction, this may cost a little more but it will guarantee that this will be one stone fire pit people will not forget, nevertheless, even a regular stone fire pit is something to be proud of.

Monday, 6 June 2011

Fire Pit Popularity

The fire pits popularity is on the rise, many people seem to prefer to have a fire pit at their back yard then invest in bigger and more complicated fire holding elements, the choice is clear since most fire pits are very easy to maintain and take care of, and they do not cost a lot of money, some even produce their own fire pits, letting their imaginations run wild, and their creative side flourish.

The summer had encouraged many home owners to seek a fire pit that will serve their needs, some like to use a fire pit as a garden feature and as a source of light in the evenings and night, while they spend time in the backyard, and some use the fire pit for cooking and smoking meat, which does not prevent its use as an element of light as well.


There are still many who are fascinated by fire pits and would go through a lot of efforts to find and purchase the right kind of pit for their home, many use an indoor fire pit. With many new and modern designs the fire pit has changed the way we think about fire featured elements indoors, like the fire place, traditional old world design items are now moving and shifting to adjust to the new way houses are built and family rooms are designed by interior designers.


The great thing about the fire pit is that it has the potential of replacing most of the fire featured items in the house as well as out of the house, and it is easy to build and maintain, and not expensive to purchase. Even if you have only little experience in product designing and building your own furniture you stand a very good chance to enjoy building your very own fire pit and using it later. Many people who build a fire pit do that because they intend on cooking with it and they need a non standard size or shape to fit their cooking needs, in these cases the fire pit design should be one that will allow use of the item for other purposes and provide flexibility of use.

One thing most people who are interested in fire pits should know is that you should think about the location of the fire pit even before you start building it, there is great importance to the location, as it will affect the frequency of use and the whole look of the outdoor space in which it is positioned. Many are to eager to have a fire pit and than build one that is too small to use for lighting proposes or for heat generation during cool nights, and unfortunately loss a lot of the potential of their fire pit.


There are many reasons to why fire pits are becoming so popular and there have been many answers to this phenomena, but the real fact is the most of us just enjoy fire and like to have it around for cooking and heat, as well as for providing more character and charm to our backyards.


fire pits are a great way to upgrade your backyard or garden, there are many different designs and looks to fire pits, and many ways you can use them. Read and learn more about fire pits and outdoor fire pits.