| Having a backyard fire pit is an idea that has been | | | | You can prevent this from happening by using granite |
| around for years. Backyard fire pits have definitely | | | | or other nonporous rock to construct stone |
| evolved from the original hole in the ground type. | | | | backyard fire pits or make an inner ring of firebrick |
| They are now decorative accessories that create an | | | | that is several feet inside the brick or masonry outer |
| outdoor living area that you can share with family | | | | ring. Gas Fire Pits You should consider a gas fire pit, |
| and friends. There are many options available for you | | | | which is like a gas barbeque or grill, and runs on either |
| to choose from and produce the ultimate warming | | | | propane or natural gas. Most gas backyard fire pit |
| glow of firelight in your backyard. Metal Fire Pits The | | | | kits will come with faux logs, lava rocks and |
| basic model for a metal fire pit is a large steel ring | | | | sometimes even decorative colored glass. You should |
| with decorative cutouts for ventilation and flame | | | | avoid inexpensive backyard fire pit gas models that |
| viewing. The steel rings can be purchased at most | | | | have nothing more than metal tubes with holes for |
| home and garden centers for less than $100. The ring | | | | the flames. Typically these types of gas fire pits are |
| is placed on the ground or in an area that has either | | | | not UL-approved and could cause you problems. The |
| sand or stone and the fire is built in the center of the | | | | nice thing about gas fire pits is that they don't need |
| ring. The ring is designed to contain the fire. You | | | | as much clearance from flammable surfaces as the |
| could also choose a metal bowl that sets on legs. | | | | open flame fire pits and they can usually be used in |
| The bowls are approximately 2 to 3 feet in diameter | | | | suburban or urban areas where wood fire are |
| and are made from copper, steel or aluminum. A | | | | restricted. Backyard fire pits that are gas can be turn |
| metal bowl backyard fire pit ranges from $100 to | | | | on and off instantly. Clean up is also minimal because |
| $500 and can be set anywhere on the patio or lawn. | | | | gas fire pits don't produce ash or embers. There are |
| Be aware that the metal bowls will get extremely | | | | so many different styles to choose from that you |
| hot and models with shorter legs could pose a fire | | | | surely can find one model that fits into the backyard |
| hazard if set on a surface that is flammable, such as | | | | fire pit design you have in mind. The disadvantages |
| a wood deck or dry grass. Some of the metal bowl | | | | of a gas fire pit is that you can't cook on them, you |
| models will come with grills for cooking or wire mesh | | | | typically have to have quite a bit of gas to get the |
| screens to keep the burning embers from flying | | | | same affect as a wood fire and they are generally |
| around and inside the bowl. Masonry and Stone If | | | | more expensive. A gas backyard fire pit can cost |
| you want a more permanent, formal backyard fire pit | | | | between several hundred to several thousand dollars |
| than you might want to consider going with a stone | | | | and doesn't quite have the same effect or smell as a |
| or masonry pit. These fire pits can be as small or as | | | | wood fire. Regardless of which style of backyard fire |
| large as you desire or what your backyard area can | | | | pit you decide to go with, there is no denying the |
| comfortably support. The fires that you have in | | | | effect of a crackling fire in the great outdoors. It is |
| these fire pits should never be more than 3 feet in | | | | not only beautiful but there is no way to wind down |
| diameter and 2 feet high. You'll want to check and | | | | from a long day than to gaze into a glowing ember, |
| see if there are any specific building or fire codes | | | | cozy within the warmth of a backyard fire pit. |
| that you need to conform to prior to building a | | | | Jayme Hanson operates an information site about |
| permanent fire pit. Because brick, concrete block, | | | | Best Landscaping Ideas. Articles include information on |
| slate or sandstone is a porous material they can get | | | | Container Plant Ideas, Small Backyard Designs and |
| hot enough for moisture inside the material to cause | | | | Patio Deck Ideas. |
| them to crack or even in extreme cases, explode. | | | | |