Gel fuel fire pits

One of the latest innovations in fire pits are those using gel fuel as their flame source.  We recommend Real Flame gel fuel as it is one of the oldest and most reliable manufacturers.  Gel fuel can be used indoors or outdoors, burns clean without smoke or soot and leaves no ashes to clean up.  This makes it an excellent choice for areas where wood burning is not allowed such as apartments or condominium balconies.  The gel comes in a can that may be resealed and used again at another time.  Although not designed as a heat source, gel fuel can produce up to 30,000 BTU’s.  It is fairly inexpensive as a can will cost just over a dollar an hour to burn.  One of the most popular selling models, The Sequoia is a table made of weather resistant eucalyptus wood with a log set in the middle that will hold up to four cans of fuel.  This is a beautiful looking indoor/outdoor table that will compliment any décor.  See this and other models available at The Firepit Shop.

What to look for in a fire pit.

If you have ever purchased a poorly made barbeque grill you might understand what  we are talking about.  You took the grill home, put it together and it was ready to go.  Unfortunately it did not take long for the legs to start to wobble, rust to appear and even the grill itself had spaces so wide between the wires that you would loose a shrimp or part of the kabob to the fire below.

Think of the types of abuse you are going to put your fire pit through.  If its wood burning you will be throwing plenty of wood on it, so make sure the legs can hold the weight.  You will be leaving it out in the elements and even with a cover, which you really should consider getting, it will still be exposed to some rain or snow. You may want something that is portable enough to take to the beach or camping, but moving it around means it should be able to withstand that type of treatment.

We suggest a steel or copper bowl for your fire pit.  These two materials are built to last and can take a beating.  Make sure you are getting something thick enough to last, 1/8th inch to 1/4 inch should get you a quality steel bowl.

The legs need to be strong enough to hold the weight of the fire pit, the wood, items on the surround and even the weight of a foot rest.

The bottom line is to look for a quality manufacturer, that will stand behind their products.  You may save a few dollars for a less expensive fire pit at the hardware store or the grocery store, but you’ll be replacing that fire pit long before you would have with a well know manufacturer.  Remember, we are dealing with fire here and you want a quality product to gather around.

Visit The Firepit Shop to find quality products at the best possible prices.

Your own backyard fire pit!

How many times have you ever been to a hotel or resort where you sat around a beautiful fire pit and wished you had one at home.  Unfortunately you didn’t have the space, or the budget, for that resort amenity to call your own.  Well times have changed and portable fire pits are now affordable, quality built and designed to fit into almost any space.

Let’s take a look at what is available in fire pits today.  The focus of this article is on portable fire pits that can add fun and enjoyment to almost any backyard environment.  These portable units can easily be moved about the backyard or even taken with you to the beach or camping.  The two primary fuel sources are wood and propane and both have their advantages.  The wood burning models are the classic fire pits and offer everything a campfire purist would want.  For many people nothing beats the sound of a crackling fire, the smell of burning firewood and the great pastime of poking into the embers.  On the other hand the propane fire pit may often be used where wood burning is banned, locations not large enough for a wood fire or where other safety considerations come into play.  Also, propane fire pits are environmentally friendly, offer easy on and off, allow a controlled flame and do not leave ashes that need to be cleaned up.

You can choose a rustic wood burning model that you can prop your feet on or maybe one that functions as a table as well as fire pit.  With propane models you can even have a burning fire glass model that offers a dramatic look to a traditional fire pit.

Typically the portable units are made with steel or copper bowls and can be basic or may include tile, slate or granite areas that surround the bowl.  The latest fire pits can now be used as entertainment centers in addition to a place to gather and stay warm.

As you can see, the fire pit has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a hole in the ground surrounded by rocks.  Today’s fire pits are a compliment to any outdoor setting and become the centerpiece for your evening conversations.  They range from simple bowls to elegant fire glass tables that fit into any budget, so consider a fire pit as a way to make the most of your outdoor leisure area and you’ll have years of enjoyment ahead.

Always remember that this is a fire and with an open flame comes responsibility.  Here are some important precautions to remember:

• Check local ordinances to verify that you can use a fire pit
• Make sure you have ample “safe space” around and above your fire pit area
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations
• Use a spark screen to contain flying embers
• Have an extinguisher handy
• Don’t leave the fire untended
• Make sure your fire is completely out when you are done using the fire pit

Visit The Firepit Shop to see everything in backyard fire pits.

Burning glass fire pits

Propane fire pits offer another alternative to the standard ceramic log look.  you can get glass that the flame comes up through and makes a very dramtic and stylish statement.  There are many colors to choose from and and they last forever.  If you are looking for something that will make your gas fire pit stand out from the rest, you might want to look at the glass options that are available.

Propane Fire Pits

Using propane as a fuel source for fire pits is becoming much more popular.  First it eliminates the need to keep a stack of firewood available, which some people just don’t have room for or want to have.  Propane is more environmentally friendly, because they are smokeless, and can often be used when wood burning is banned.  The convenience of instant on and off can’t be beat.  Those with fake logs, some have burning glass, appear very natural and you won’t have any ashes to clean up like you do with wood burning fire pits.  Propane fire pits are now a common addition to backyard areas, so enjoy.

Propane Fire Pit

Fire Pits are Fun!!

Here is a forum on using and enjoying fire pits. We will talk about some basics for buying a fire pit. We will cover the benefits of various types of fire pits, discuss manufacturers and anything else that comes to mind.  We can touch on anything that has to do with an outdoor leisure living.