Who doesn’t love the idea of sitting outside under the stars with a little fire going. But usually that means you have to pack the whole family up and head to a campsite in the woods, right? Wrong. Now you can have that feeling in your own back yard with the Landmann Big Sky Stars & Moons Fire Pit.

The Landmann Big Sky Stars & Moons Fire Pit is a safe and attractive way to have it all – a warm  cozy fire in the yard without all the prep and management issues that come with a normal fire.

The bowl on this fire pit is 23 ½ inches wide, which means a good amount of area to conduct heat. At the same time, the fire is fully contained which means you have less fear of it getting out of hand if there is a strong wind in the yard.

Thinking of the ambiance a fire can create, this fire pit has been made with stars and moon shapes cut out of the side so the light of the fire will toss those shapes around, making it even more attractive!

In addition to the atmosphere this creates, you can also do some cooking. The fire pit comes with a 397 square foot top grill surface.

What We Like:

• Comes with a little grill and nice cooking surface.
• It is easy to assemble and get working.
• It’s fun to look at and use.
• Has a clay-hued finish and you can see the flames through the star and moon cutouts
• Sturdy steel construction; designed for easy assembly
• Includes enamel cooking grate, spark guard cover and poker

Other things to consider:

• You will need to have sand to put inside the bottom of this. You may want to buy a 5 lb bag before you get it home so you don’t get frustrated when you want to fire it up and find out you need to get some sand first.
• Doesn’t hold up in the rain so you need to think about a way to cover it in bad weather.
• Recommended for use only on masonry surfaces such as stone, brick, or concrete

If you have created a great getaway in your back yard, why should you have to come in when the sun goes down?

With the UniFlame WAD820SP 34-Inch Slate & Marble Firepit with Copper Accents you don’t. This beautiful fire pit will have you looking forward to the end of the day when you can light it up and enjoy the ambiance created by the glow and warmth of the fire.

With a fire bowl that is 22 inches in diameter the UniFlame  Slate & Marble Firepit is able to put out a good amount of heat while still being easy to control and keep an eye on while you are using it. 

The slate and marble edging around this unit makes it a very attractive addition to any porch or deck.

If you have been considering getting a firepit for your backyard, this is the one to consider for a few reasons:

Looks

Unlike other fire pits that are just a piece of metal that you build a fire inside, this one was created to also have an air elegance and luxury through it’s marble and slate accents.

Economy

This fire pit is a great deal for the price as it is not only a useful piece but also is a decorative accent for the backyard.

What We Like:

• It is very easy to put together and use.
• It looks great, like a very expensive piece of patio furniture that was purchased for a very economical price.
• It feels very durable and well built, and like it will stand up to the test of time.
• It provides a great amount of heat and light output for the size of the fire bowl.

Have you been thinking you would love to add a little more to your back yard? Perhaps you want to have a place to play at the end of the day. This could have you thinking that an outdoor fireplace is the perfect accessory. It can be as long as you make sure to get the right one for your yard. Here are some things to consider before you buy:

Fireplace or Fire Pit

Many people use these words interchangeably, so it bears a little mention. A fireplace is structure that is built with an obvious front where you tend to the fire and where the majority of the heat comes out of. A fire pit on the other hand is a usually round container where the heat and light of a fire emanates out on all sides.

Also,  consider if  you want an outdoor fireplace that allows you to cook food as well as keeping you warm.

Size

Remember the size something looks online or in a store can be very different than the size that it is once in your home. Make sure to take measurements of the area where you want your outdoor fireplace and look for a piece that fits. You will generally find that online stores include the measurements of the fireplace/fire pit in the item description.

Care

Before you purchase an outdoor fireplace find out what it will take to keep it in tip-top condition.  Some fireplaces  require more maintenance than others. It’s best to know what is needed before you have it installed.

Fuel Type

Do you want a fireplace that is burns wood or is powered by electricity or gas?  If you select gas, do you want to use natural gas or propane gas?  The fuel type is a major consideration when purchasing an outdoor fireplace from the point of view of both convenience and cost.  Also you local council may not allow wood burning fireplaces in the district. So if you are hankering to have a cozy wood burning stove you may have to rethink that option.

Safety

Before you make a purchase consider the safety issues  in your yard and home. If you have children and pets that are curious, you may want to make sure you have a more secure fireplace than if you don’t have these safety risks.  Make sure the fireplace is installed away from wooden fences and overhanging branches that may catch alight. Follow the manufacturers instructions for installation and use, they generally include a brochure with safety factors included.

So it is simply a matter of doing your homework before you make any purchase. Read up on the fireplace you like and ensure you purchase the size that suits your yard and family.  Once you know it will fill all of your needs, you will know you have selected the right one for your home.

Outdoor electric heaters are an excellent way to enjoy your patio or back yard, even when the air becomes chilly. However, as with any type of heating element, safety is always an important issue. While most people have learned how to use a fireplace or a space heater safely, electric patio heaters are more unfamiliar.

Here are a few safety precautions to follow to ensure a fun and care-free patio heating experience.

1. Only use your patio heater outdoors.

If a tabletop heater works well on your patio, it should warm up your kitchen table in a pinch, too, right? Although that is a logical assumption, if your heater is designed to be used outdoors, it should only be used outdoors. Your heater may not have the proper venting or emissions standards to be used in your home.

2. Consider hazards in the area where you set up your electric heater.

• Before you plug in your heater, take a moment to consider the potential hazards in the surrounding area. Some examples include:

• Is the electric cord lying across a pathway where people might trip over it?

• If the heater is below a tree, is there a risk that leaves or small branches might fall into the heating element, causing a fire?

• Is the heater in a high-traffic area, where it would be easy to brush against a hot surface accidentally?

• Have you followed the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding proper floor surface and distance from flammable materials?

3. Be careful of high winds while using your outdoor heater.

Although a patio heater can keep you warm even on the coolest nights, it’s not recommended to use one if the winds are too strong. Heavy gusts can knock over your electric heater, causing a fire hazard.

By following these safety tips, you can ensure that you and your family enjoy your outdoor patio heating for many years to come.

We entertain out doors on  average about twice a week.

We have a barbecue area that never got used until we bought the outdoor heater, and a campfire area and a festival area which we only use in the winter for the winter solstice.

The barbecue area is a paved area under the shade of a big oak tree and is bordered by Cyprus pines, which provide a wind break when the westerly winds blow in, on one side with the bush behind them and pecan nut trees and apricot trees on the remaining sides.

It is a picturesque setting and the perfect spot to entertain, high on a hill over looking the vineyard.

We have invested in an outdoor heater to provide that extra warmth for when the sun goes down in the evening and the air chills.

It provides a sophisticated element to the occasions that we entertain outside, and heat of course for the courtyard in which it stands.

Everyone can enjoy the outdoor spectacle and atmosphere, as the sun goes down the sky’s colors change to orange red purple and deep blue, the birds go home to roost, owls begin to hoot, the kangaroos hop on by, stars come out and the possums and koalas call and forage. being out in the bush really is fabulous and sharing a dining experience is truly fulfilling.

What I like most about it is there is no dirt, soot, messy logs, or sparks that could ignite a bushfire, unlike the campfire area.

The campfire area we used all the time because the children would want to eat chips and steaks for dinner and I won’t cook them inside.

I would go out to the camp fire area and dig a pit and build a fire and we would all collect logs from the bush then light the fire, and while it was burning and we waited for the coals to be hot enough, the evening meal preparations would begin.

The big cast iron pot I use for deep frying on the camp fire and the cast iron steak plate for the steaks, were carried out to the camp fire , then the salads and the foods to be cooked.

All of this was time consuming, grubby, clothes staining work.

But the worst of it was the leaning into the fire to turn the steaks and lift the fries from the hot oil, it was no fun, smoke in my eyes and spitting fat and oil coupled with the odd gum leaf that would fall into the food as it cooked, hardly sophisticated dining.

When it was time to go inside for the evening the camp fire would have to be covered with dirt to make it safe, and all clothes would be removed at the back porch as they would be covered in smuts.

Not many people eat their steak and chips with a spade next to them to put out the oven! Very redneck!

When the outdoor heater arrived, we could use the barbecue area more often knowing we would be warm while we cooked the meal.

We can sit out in the courtyard and enjoy our meals under the stars by the warmth of the heater. The seating in the courtyard is safe from sooty hand prints and grubby clothes because we no longer cook there. It is a real pleasure for the guests who don’t have to worry about the smoky aroma pervading their clothes.

I don’t put out the barbecue with a spade, just turn the gas off, but we also don’t have to go inside the house as quickly as we did when we only used the campfire area. With camp fires once the fire is out so is the ambiance and heat.

No dirty smoke infested smelly clothes. The barbeque area is an extension of the kitchen and we are so glad we have the outdoor heater. The kids still like to ‘rough it’ with their friends’, but I like my court yard now that it has a pleasant temperature to eat our outdoor oven cooked pizza in and share a bottle of wine under the stars.