| Before buying an outdoor fireplace, there
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| | only has a slightly lower melting
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| are several factors to take into account.
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| | temperature than cast iron. Cast
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| Always remember that the safety of your
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| | aluminum does not rust. It is also
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| family and property is the most important
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| | considerably lighter than cast iron
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| consideration.
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| | making it easier to move around.
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| 1. Size matters
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| | 3. Weigh it
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| When comparing fireplaces, look at the
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| | When comparing fireplaces, check the
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| size of the fire area before the height.
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| | weight. Most fireplaces are produced by
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| If the firebox is small, wood buying and
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| | weight, so they are bought by weight. Be
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| cutting is more difficult.
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| | sure that you're comparing the same
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| Requesting for specially cut wood from
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| | material, copper to copper or cast iron
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| your supplier increases your cost.
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| | to cast iron.
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| Try to find a large firebox, don't bother
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| | 4. Aluminum feature
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| with the tall and thin fireplace. A small
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| | Cast aluminum is by far a better choice
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| firebowl will cost more down the road.
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| | for a novice outdoor enthusiast. The
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| You don't need a large fire just because
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| | fireplace is easier to maintain and can
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| you have a large fireplace, just use less
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| | be easily moved around. It may be brought
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| wood to have a smaller fire.
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| | to a home by the lake or stored during
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| A good fireplace burns more cleanly and
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| | winter along Northern areas. Store it to
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| more efficiently than a firepit design
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| | prevent damage or possible theft.
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| having no smoke stack. The fireplace
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| | 5. Clay fireplace
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| draws air into the fire and blows out the
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| | The most disturbing problem with a clay
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| neck for an efficient burn. Firepit
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| | fireplace is that it can fall apart
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| designs tend to smoke and smolder much
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| | without prior warning. When the bottom
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| more than a traditional fireplace design
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| | falls out, it can be quite a mess. Avoid
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| because of poor airflow.
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| | placing your clay fireplace on a wooden
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| 2. Proper maintenance
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| | deck or any surface that can easily be
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| Fireplaces made in the more commercial
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| | damaged by heat or fire. Place it on
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| copper, clay or sheet steel don't have
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| | cement or tile.
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| the longevity or safety of aluminum or
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| | If you choose to purchase a clay
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| cast iron. Sheet metal fireplaces are
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| | fireplace, take safety precautions. Use a
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| available at a bargain cost. They're
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| | spark arrestor and a mouthscreen for
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| pretty much a disposable type of
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| | safety. The extra cost is well worth it.
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| fireplace. Once metal sheet fireplaces
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| | A clay fireplace is generally cheaper but
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| start to rust, they have already outlived
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| | has a shorter lifespan than either
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| their usefulness. Check the gauge or
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| | aluminum or cast iron.
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| thickness of the metal. A metal too thin
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| | 6. Surround view fireplaces and raised
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| might melt.
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| | firepits
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| Some cast iron fireplaces have sheet
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| | Most surround view fireplaces are built
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| metal necks. If that's the case, check if
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| | with light materials. Surround view
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| the manufacturer has replacement parts
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| | fireplaces are easy to tip over because
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| available and cost. Frequent replacement
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| | of the light material used to make it.
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| for the neck is not what you want.
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| | When it is tipped over, it will send ash
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| Cast iron must be maintained to prevent
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| | and embers everywhere.
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| rust. It is a little difficult to
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| | Safety is an issue with surround view
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| maintain. But a well maintained cast iron
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| | fireplaces. Slight breezes might send
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| fireplace will last you a long time.
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| | embers and catch fire with flammable
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| Also, consider the placement of your cast
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| | materials.
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| iron fireplace.
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| | If you're buying a raised firepit, be
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| The cast iron fireplace tends to stain
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| | sure that it comes with a lid. Otherwise,
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| the surface it stands on.
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| | ash will be spread all over your patio
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| An occasional paint job with a high
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| | when it rains.
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| temperature paint will slow down rusting.
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| | 7. What to burn
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| The cast iron is heavy and can stand a
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| | Hardwood is by far the most popular fuel
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| lot of abuse.
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| | for outdoor fireplaces. Pinon wood has a
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| Copper looks great initially but after a
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| | pleasant pine scent when burning. It
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| couple of uses it tends to be green and
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| | keeps the flame active and generates good
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| rusty. Several companies put holes in the
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| | heat. It also helps in keeping insects
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| bottom of the firepits to drain ash and
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| | away. Other fuel sources are propane, gel
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| water out during rain. Firepits without
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| | inserts, manufactured firelogs and
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| holes will be filled with water when it
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| | natural gas.
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| rains.
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| | Pine cones and applewood can be added for
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| Cast Aluminum is one of the best buys. It
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| | more aroma.
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| is easy to maintain and a long lifespan.
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| | Several fireplaces come with inserts for
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| An aluminum fireplace does not warp and
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| | natural gas and propane.
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