| It's tough giving up a summer of | | | | Portable Fire pits: Portable fire pits |
| spending leisurely evenings on the | | | | have increased in popularity, especially |
| patio, winding down under the stars. | | | | now that outdoor living spaces have |
| Fire pits are a great way to extend the | | | | become so fashionable. They are |
| outdoor use of your yard or patio, as | | | | available in a variety of different |
| well as creating a laid back, relaxing | | | | sizes, and the price starts at about |
| atmosphere. They can be as extravagant | | | | $120, going up from there. Generally, |
| as a bulky, stone wood burner or as | | | | they are made of steel, copper or the |
| delicate as a ceramic fire pot for your | | | | chimineas; a Mexican style made from |
| patio table. They've come a long way | | | | fired clay or cast iron. |
| from the campfire pits, enjoyed by those | | | | The fire table top, where you have a |
| with large, backyards. Now, just about | | | | large bowl inserted into a table, can be |
| any home can safely install a fire pit | | | | fueled by propane or natural gas, |
| and the choices are endless; here are | | | | allowing for seating around the fire. |
| some things to look for: | | | | The tops are usually made of a glass |
| The In ground Fire Pit: This is the | | | | fiber reinforced concrete. Some of them |
| wood-burning, marshmallow eating | | | | even convert into an ice chest and |
| version; usually surrounded by a brick | | | | grill. |
| or stone ledge and dug into the ground. | | | | Some units such as the table top burners |
| This is a great way to enjoy a fire, but | | | | or the glass enclosed luminariums use |
| you have to have the space to locate it | | | | ethanol as a fuel which provides the |
| away from the house or dry vegetation. | | | | look and feel of a wood fire without the |
| The Above ground Fire Pit: Almost the | | | | smoke or ash. |
| same as above, except it can be built | | | | Safety: In all situations, research your |
| into a stone or cement patio; the actual | | | | local fire regulations, whether the |
| pit is elevated, allowing your feet to | | | | portable versions are allowed on a |
| rest on the ledge and sit closer to the | | | | wooden deck, the guidelines for building |
| heat. The only digging involved is for | | | | a fire pit and whether you'll require a |
| the trench for the footings, and the bed | | | | permit. It needs to be situated well |
| is lined with gravel. When deciding on | | | | away from the house, overhanging trees, |
| the size of the circle, imagine the size | | | | power lines or other structures. It's |
| of fire you want to build. A small ring | | | | good practice to use a spark screen and |
| limits the size of the logs you'll be | | | | never leave a fire unattended. A fire |
| burning, a larger ring will allow for a | | | | extinguisher or garden hose should be |
| larger fire, but you may have to sit | | | | kept nearby. |
| further back. A good recommendation is | | | | Burn compressed logs or wood with a low |
| an interior diameter a minimum of 3 feet | | | | resin content, using only 1 or 2 at a |
| with walls about 12 inches thick and 12 | | | | time, in a portable fire pit. |
| to 18 inches high. | | | | |