A great way to update your patio is by adding a fire pit. Patio fire pits can create a new look and feel for this outdoor space. Not only do these small, often portable fireplaces add a nice look, they also add increased functionality and create a cozy ambiance.
Types of Patio Fire Pits
A patio fire pit usually works well for a small patio because they require less space than brick or stone outdoor fireplaces. They are also usually easy to move so they make a great portable outdoor fireplace.
Because of the high demand for them we now have a wide selection when it comes these patio fireplaces. You can find fire pits made of various metals like cast iron, cast aluminum or copper to name a few. A copper fire pit can really provide a distinct look. You can also find them with decorative stone to provide a more rugged or outdoor feel.
But if you want a truly multifunctional patio fire pit consider one made in the style of a table. This essentially blends a table and a fire pit together making this addition very functional. Some have a beautiful stone or mosaic tile table wrapped around a sunken fire bowl. You can even get them to blend in with the flagstone on your patio to create a cohesive design that incorporates your outdoor fireplace.
Wood or Gas Fire Pit?
Patio Fire Pit
One important thing to consider before you start shopping is whether you want a wood burning or gas fire pit. But before you make the decision check with your city to see what is allowed in your area. Some areas have restrictions on wood burning.
A wood burning fire pit will provide the rustic feel of an outdoor fire with the smell of smoke, which can also help fend off bugs, but with this type you may want to choose one with a screen lid to protect onlookers from popping embers.
Outdoor gas fire pits are easy to light and extinguish. It will also burn cleaner than one that burns wood. But make sure you have an appropriate fuel source readily available. You can either buy small tanks of fuel or have a fuel line run from your house. For a small patio fireplace like this it is usually easier to buy small tanks of fuel. Choosing a light model will also make this a portable fire pit that is easy to use on the go.
Patio fire pits provide a great way to enjoy your patio even when the nights start to get chilly.
Once you have your outdoor fireplace or chiminea all set up, you’ll probably want to know a little bit about the different types of wood you can use to fuel the cozy warmth. One of the types of wood many people prefer for their outdoor fire pits and fireplaces is pinion wood.
Pinion wood is popular for a few reasons. For starters it has a wonderful aroma as it burns in your outside fireplace. It smells like pine, truly giving you the feeling of being in the great outdoors, which isn’t always easy to feel in the middle of suburbia. I’ve heard some people say that it smells like a fresh cut Christmas tree.
Another important benefit of burning pinion wood is that it repels mosquitoes. For many this may be the most important benefit because it allows you to enjoy being outside around your cozy outdoor fireplace without the unpleasant distraction of those pesky bugs and without having to slather on the not-so-pleasant bug spray. Some people even start a pinion wood fire when it’s still hot outside just to keep the bugs away because it’s so effective.
Along with these benefits pinion wood is also easy to light, it puts out a good amount of heat, it burns for a long time and once the fire is no longer burning you’ll find very little ash left to clean so it makes a great chiminea firewood. For the most part it’s a low maintenance fire wood making it even more tempting to enjoy outdoor fireplaces as often as you can.
If you want the pinion wood for your outdoor chiminea it won’t be a problem because many sellers will cut the wood to fit in chimineas or smaller outdoor fire pits. Some places where you buy pinion wood will even custom cut the wood for you.
Whether you’ve seen a fire pit nicely displayed at your local home improvement store or in your neighbor’s yard you may be tempted by them — and it’s not hard not to be. After all outdoor fireplaces provide a great centerpiece for a gathering or a quiet, relaxing evening. They provide a cozy, inviting atmosphere while they also offer comforting warmth on a slightly chilly evening.
While the original style of fire pit was pretty rudimentary with several rocks surrounding a hole in the ground, the outdoor fire pits of today offer a wide range of options from rustic to elegant. You can easily find patio fire pits to match any look you want to create in your back yard patio or outdoor room.
Advantages Of An Outdoor Gas Fire Pit
Outdoor gas fire pits are a good choice if you live in an area that has wood burning fire restrictions, but before you purchase any type of outdoor fireplace make sure you know what is allowed in your specific area.
Outdoor Gas Fire Pit
A gas fire pit has a few advantages over a wood burning fire pit. It burns cleaner so you don’t have to worry about smoke drifting in your face or in your neighbor’s direction, and you also won’t have worry about cleaning the ash from it so it doesn’t blow into your yard. Both starting and extinguishing a fire is easy with gas fire pits, so if you only have a little time to sit outside you can still enjoy your outdoor fireplace without spending too much time lighting it and putting it out. They also allow you to have better control over the size of the fire, often with the easy use of a remote.
With an gas outdoor fire pit you can also make use of fire glass to create a distinct look, instead of using the more commonly seen gas logs or lava rocks.
Types of Gas Fire Pits
When it comes to gas fire pits you have a couple of choices based on the type of fuel you prefer. There are outdoor propane fire pits and natural gas fire pits. A propane fire pit is typically a little more versatile and many styles work well as a portable fireplace. Since varying sizes of propane tanks are usually easy to find a propane portable fire pit is something you can even take to a friend’s house or camping. If you have natural gas in your home you can have a professional run a gas line out to your natural gas fire pit so you have a constant fuel source without having to replace gas tanks.
If you want more of a fixed structure you can find an outdoor fireplace kit that will make it easier to install. Many outdoor fireplace kits provide a base structure that you can customize with things like brick or stone.
Before you start shopping think a little about what you want from your outdoor gas fire pit, and don’t forget to look at fire pit covers to protect your patio fireplace. You’ll be glad you did when you’re sitting around it enjoying a cozy fire.
Chimineas have become increasingly popular with the rise in popularity of outdoor fireplaces. Many people are starting to pay more attention to their outdoor space by decorating it and landscaping it so it can be a more livable and enjoyable space.
History of Chimineas
While chimineas have evolved over the years to fit our needs, they have an interesting history. It is thought the first chimeneas were developed by Mexican tribesmen hundreds to thousands of years ago. They were developed to provide heat to the family that was protected from rain. They were also meant to function as a tool for cooking and baking without needing as much wood as an open fire.
The outdoor chiminea was originally made out of clay but since they have been exported and used in areas where they weren’t originally intended it is now easy to find a good metal chiminea which will provide greater durability. Clay chimineas aren’t always able to handle the temperature change of a downpour of rain which can cause them to crack and flake. In Mexico the rainfall was typically lower but the air temperature not as low as many areas where they are being used today.
The Design
Because of their design, outdoor chimineas allow you to start a fire pretty easily and keep the fire burning without as much effort as outdoor fire pits. Chimineas are enclosed with an opening or door in front so it’s easy to get a fire started with some kindling like small sticks or newspaper. But what makes them work so well is the way they allow airflow from the flue to keep the fire fueled.
Clay Chiminea
This design allows them to produce a lot of heat without smoke blowing everywhere. Because they have better airflow they don’t generate as much smoke — they burn cleaner and more efficiently. The smoke is also funneled out of the top so it blows up into the air instead of into your guests faces.
The traditional style chiminea is about five feet tall with a slender neck, where the air comes in and the smoke flows out, and a bulbous body, where the fire is contained. While there are some newer models that are shorter and have a different shape they still have the same basic features. Although some offer the benefit of a 360 degree view of the fire.
Types of Chimineas
Outdoor Chiminea
There are three main types of chimineas:
Clay chimineas are the traditional style. Many people like them because of the decorative look and feel they provide. They are generally cheaper than metal chimineas but unfortunately a clay chiminea isn’t as durable as a metal chiminea. Clay chimineas will require more care, but they still may not last as long. Some people use them strictly as decoration, in some cases indoors. They are fine as decoration inside as long as they are only used as decoration; NEVER light a fire in a chiminea indoors.
Cast Iron Chimineas are very durable and they give off a lot of heat, but unfortunately they are very heavy as well. You will want to find a permanent spot for a cast iron chiminea because you won’t want to move it once it is set up. Cast iron can rust if the coating chips so you may need to paint it occasionally with a paint that can handle high temperatures. But overall this is a good quality long-lasting choice if you’re looking for a metal chiminea.
Cast Aluminum Chimineas are durable and easier to maintain. They are also much lighter than their cast iron counterparts. A cast aluminum chiminea shouldn’t rust or warp so it should last a long time too.
Burning Wood In A Chiminea
Because of their shape regular firewood may not fit in your chiminea. You may need to cut the firewood into smaller pieces or order wood that is cut specifically to fit in this type of outdoor fireplace.
Many people burn pinion wood in them because of the nice pine scent and because burning this specific wood helps keep the mosquitoes away.
Protecting Your Investment
In order to protect this type of outdoor fireplace and to keep it clean you’ll want to look at outdoor fireplace covers, specifically a chiminea cover. A good cover made specifically for this will have a drawstring at the bottom to help securely cover the full body. You can find covers that will repel water so the rain doesn’t seep in, but that allow airflow to prevent the possibility of mildew. Chiminea covers come in different sizes so be sure you get the right size to make sure it fits and protects your outdoor chiminea the way it’s meant to.
Before shopping for any outdoor fireplace make sure they are allowed in your area; localities have different regulations about open fires and wood burning. But if you find out they are allowed have fun shopping. There are so many fun designs available you may have a hard time choosing just one. All in all chimineas make great free standing outdoor fireplaces. They are functional, aesthetic and they make the evenings a lot more fun.
Once you have your ideal outdoor fireplace chosen, you will need just a few fireplace accessories to help with things like starting and maintaining fires, and more importantly to protect your investment. There are a few key things you will want to get, and a few other optional items you may want to consider.
Fireplace Covers
One of the key outdoor fireplace accessories you should get in order to protect your investment is a fireplace cover. Outdoor fireplace covers protect your fireplace or chiminea from a variety of things, but mostly it provides protection from the outdoor elements. Anything that is constantly exposed to the outdoor elements will degrade much more quickly.
A fireplace cover is also a good idea if you have young kids that like to play outside. It will prevent them from digging in and playing with the ashes. This can be a big mess and you don’t want them stirring up and breathing in the dust from the ashes.
If you have an outdoor fire pit instead no problem; you can get a fire pit cover. Fire pit covers are important for an additional reason. Because fire pits tend to be open they can also be very messy. If a good gust of wind blows the day after you enjoyed a nice evening relaxing by the fire you will have ashes and debris blown all over your yard, and likely your neighbor’s yard too. If you have secured your fire pit cover this won’t be a problem for you.
Of course the fire pit cover will also protect your patio fire pit from damage that can be caused by the elements and from weathering in general. It will help keep your fire pit looking nice for years to come.
Fireplace Tool Set
Fireplace Tool Set
A fireplace tool set is another fireplace accessory I would highly recommend. This is something you commonly see next to indoor fireplaces as well. Fireplace tool sets typically include three basic tools to help you use and maintain your fireplace. There is a poker to help move and shift the wood while burning the fire, a small fireplace broom and a small device that looks like a mix between a small dustpan and a shovel. These last two items will help you clean the ashes out of your outdoor fireplace.
If you have a wood burning outdoor fireplace you may want a grate where you can stack your wood to be burned. If you keep it outdoors you will probably want to cover it so the wood doesn’t get wet.
Depending on how you are using your outdoor fireplace or outdoor fire pit you may also want to consider getting a grill rack so you can use it for cooking too.
With just a few simple outdoor fireplace accessories you will be enjoying your beautiful new outdoor fireplace even more.
