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Give your guests a warm welcome with a Fire Pit!

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uniflame-marble-firepitIf you love entertaining outdoors, you don’t have to call a halt if there’s a chill in the air or fall turns to winter. With an outdoor fire pit, you can seat your guests around a cosy fire, whenever and wherever you like. Or just spend a romantic evening roasting marshmallows with your other half! FirePits are inexpensive and decorative – and allow you to entertain all year round!

What is a fire pit?

It may sound like a crudely dug hole in your garden or something that Tony Robbins would ask you to walk across but not in this case! A fire pit is a freestanding, decorative basket or bowl on legs, in which you can safely burn an open fire.

The least expensive version is called a kettle. These are basins, bowls or baskets on legs that allow you to burn wood or charcoal. There are a range of attractive finishes such as iron, terracotta, stainless steel and copper. It doesn’t matter whether you love hi-tech stainless steel, granite or antiqued metal – there will be a fire pit to suit your tastes.

Many models also come complete with a screen lid to control sparks and a grill that simply sits on top of the fire – so that you can cook on them as well.

The great thing about these is that they are fairly lightweight and portable so it’s easy to put one in the car and take it to the beach or on a camping trip.

Burning different types of wood is a great way to enhance your open fire experience. Red Cedar and Pinion Pine both smell lovely and have the added advantage of keeping mosquitoes away. Apple wood also smells beautiful and burgers grilled over a hickory fire have a wonderfully strong barbecued flavor.

The only downside of these off-ground fire pits is that there is no form of chimney and so they can give off rather a lot of smoke.

Is there anything I shouldn’t burn?

  • Don’t use wood which has been pressure treated as it can give off toxic gases as it burns. If it has a greenish tinge to it, it may have been pressure treated. If in doubt – don’t use it!
  • ‘Young’ wood which is green, or damp wood can give off a lot of smoke which could be annoying for your guests…and your neighbors!

No good at building fires…?

Not a problem. If you have a slightly larger budget, why not indulge yourself with a gas fired model. Simply flick the switch and enjoy real flames without the hassle – or smoke! These can be run on propane tanks or natural gas hooked up to your household supply.

Many of the gas powered models are quite heavy as they are made from glass fiber reinforced concrete and although that sounds unattractive – they don’t look anything like concrete. You can choose from Grecian Urns, Pottery vases, granite tables with inset fire pits – the list goes on! Some of the more modern designs even include colored glass in place of logs.

Fire pits vary tremendously in size and design so shop around until you find the right one to suit your available space and your budget. Your outdoor

 


What to Look for When Buying a Fire Pit

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san-simeon-fire-pitHave you been considering putting a fire pit in your back yard to give you and the family somewhere warm and cozy to hang out at the end of a busy day?

Here are some things you need to consider when choosing the fire pit for your yard.

Fuel – Gas or Wood?

The first thing you need to think about is whether you want a gas or wood powered fire pit.

For many there is nothing like the crackling of wood on a fire pit. Others want the heat and don’t worry about where it comes from.

The benefit of using a gas fire pit is that you don’t have to worry about finding and stacking wood or any clean up after you are done using the pit. You just turn the gas off and are done.

Alternately, you can’t have that burning wood crackle and smell unless you are using a wood burning fire pit.

Materials

The next thing you need to consider is what you want your fire pit to be made out of.

It used to be a fire pit was nothing more than a circle of metal where you tossed logs in the middle. But not any more.

These days fire pits can be made of anything from various metals like steel, iron, copper and aluminum to those that are made of decorative stone and even glass.

For the most part you can decide what will look best in your back yard entertaining area and should not have a problem finding a fire pit to match.

Some fire pits can be used as a beverage server during the summer months when a fire is not needed.

 

Be Safe

No matter what type of fire pit you choose, when you are purchasing it, make sure you have a hose or fire extinguisher nearby, just in case. While no one wants to have to think about safety, it is better to think about it before hand than not to have thought about it and end up with a problem. Also make sure the fire is completely off or out before you ever leave it unattended.

 

 

Review: Landmann Big Sky Stars & Moons Fire Pit

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landmann-big-sky-stars-moon-fire-pitWho 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

 

 

Outdoor Dining with Patio Fire Pits

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granite-fire-pitIf you are looking for a way to make your outdoor living space more welcoming, more functional, and more beautiful, then patio fire pits such as the Granite Fire Pit are an excellent choice.

Outdoor dining with a fire pit is a fun, safe, and relaxing way to enjoy your patio or garden. Furthermore, the flames produce gentle warmth which allows you to enjoy the outdoors even when the weather gets cool, greatly extending the usefulness of your yard. Here are just a few of the advantages of owning one.

A Fun Way to Cook

Fire pits are a fun and convenient way to cook for your family or your guests. Place a grill over the pit and let each guest roast his or her own meal, or toast marshmallows or sausages on sticks over the flames.

A Gathering Place for Friends and Family

Patio fire pits provide a focus point for your garden that encourages your friends to gather around the fire. Sitting around the glowing embers with a drink in hand, stomachs full from a fantastic grilled dinner, is a wonderful way to spend time with your loved ones.

Companionable Crackle of the Flames

People have enjoyed watching the crackle of open flames since time immemorial. Fire invokes primal feelings of peace, security, and safety, encouraging people to relax and enjoy one another’s companionship.

Designs to Fit Every Style and Budget

Patio fire pits  come in a wide variety of styles and designs to match your taste and your budget. Most look similar to regular patio tables, with the fire pit set into the center. Imagine a fire pit filled with glinting colored glass, set into a granite tabletop, or unique-looking gel rocks rising from a cast iron table. You can really express yourself with the design of your fire pit patio table.

Patina Products Firepits – Moose & Trees Design & More

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fire-pit-moose-designThe Moose & Tree design firepit from Patina Products is just one of the seventeen models they have available.

This  durable fire pit adds a rustic, outdoors touch to your outdoor entertaining area.

It was designed in the US and it is manufactured from a single sheet of cold rolled steel and completed with welded construction.  The steel construction is built last and wont deteriorate due to changes in temperature or moisture content in the outdoors.

Over time you will find that the natural rust patina finish will age nicely so this fire pit will still look good as it ages.

Because  this firepit is portable you can simply pop it in the back of the car or ute and take it with you to the beach or when you go camping.

It’s portable design allows for easy transport from patio to beach to campground, or what ever your life takes you.

Features of  Patina Products Fire Pits

  • They are made from  durable  High-quality cold rolled steel which will give you  years of use
  • The natural rust patina finish ages beautifully over time
  • There is no assembly required! Ready for immediate use straight from the box
  • A poker is included
  • There is a spark Screen and it is equipped with  BBQ Grill
  • 5 Yr Warranty against burn through and rust through
  • The legs are welded on so there is no wobble

More Great Designs From Patina

 

Outdoor Patio Wood Heaters – a Cozy Alternative to Electric

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If you are looking for a practical and beautiful way to transform your backyard into a comfortable living space, outdoor patio wood heaters are a pleasant alternative to electric heating systems.  Wood ovens provide not only warmth, but the attraction of a roaring fire and the ability to cook over the flames, all without raising your gas or electric bill.

If you have decided to use a wood heater for your patio, you can choose from four basic categories of heating devices:

Wood-burning outdoor fireplaces – Extend the comfort of your living room into your porch or patio.  You can build an outdoor fireplace into the wall of your home, into a low wall surrounding your patio, or simply choose a stand-alone model.  Add warmth and atmosphere to your outdoor living space with this unique heating option.

Mexican-style Chimineas – Chimineas are a tradition dating back hundreds of years.  These outdoor wood heaters consist of two parts, a bowl and a chimney-like stem, which give them a unique and attractive appearance.  Great for cooking or for pure heating purposes.

Outdoor Firebowls – Firebowls are a handsome and portable way to heat your patio with wood.  Toast marshmallows over the flames or simply enjoy the extra warmth on a chilly evening.

Permanent Firepits – Build a stone- or brick-lined fire pit into your patio design for a safe and inexpensive way to keep yourself and your guests.  Relax next to the crackling flames and enjoy the scent of the aromatic wood.

Wood heaters are an affordable way to keep your patio warm on chilly nights, while simultaneously adding to the atmosphere of your outdoor living area.  Whether you are striving to create an outdoor great room or just to have a quick and easy alternative to cooking over your grill, wood burning patio heaters are a great choice.

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