| During the Fall season and the cooler months of the | | | | think of is the fire pit or fire table. The fire table is |
| year, people start to look for ways to extend the | | | | just that - a small table with a fire bowl in the center. |
| use of there outdoor living area. In the Spring they | | | | These can be place in the center of a sitting area to |
| want to get out and use it sooner. If you live in the | | | | serve as a beautiful gathering place for friends or |
| warmer parts of the country there is no reason why | | | | family. On warm days the fire bowl can be cleaned |
| you can't use your outdoor area year round. An | | | | and filled with ice to cool your favorite drinks and |
| outdoor fireplace is an essential ingredient for getting | | | | used for a fire by night. For something more formal, |
| longer use out of a patio or outdoor entertainment | | | | there are any number of portable gas and electric |
| area. The question is not should you add an outdoor | | | | outdoor fireplaces that will add both warmth and |
| fireplace, but rather what kind should you consider. | | | | distinction to any setting. It's even possible to move |
| Today the options are numerous - from the | | | | your indoor portable electric or gel fuel fireplace |
| elaborate to the simple. There is a perfect solution no | | | | outside for special occasions. Of course the most |
| mater how much space you have or how large or | | | | elegant and expensive outdoor fireplace is the built-in |
| small your budget. Let's take a look at the various | | | | stone or brick fireplace. Beautiful and stately, these |
| options available. The easiest way to start is with a | | | | additions serve both as a patio focal point and as an |
| simple patio heater. Not the most elegant, but | | | | outside kitchen or cooking area as well. To be sure |
| certainly very functional for cool evenings. They are | | | | these are significant pieces of construction and should |
| available in a variety of styles and models. The most | | | | be well thought out and planned. These are the many |
| popular are either the free standing models that you | | | | choices available. Take some time to plan how any |
| see at sidewalk cafes or the smaller tabletop version. | | | | one of these outdoor fireplaces would fit into your |
| There are some decorative models that add a | | | | own special outdoor living area. If you have the |
| flickering light and look like a fine piece of furniture. | | | | space or have different areas with in your patio or |
| Most use propane fuel and are very easy to operate. | | | | garden, than the addition of more than one type of |
| Another very popular option is the chiminea. Again | | | | fireplace might very well be appropriate. The outdoor |
| these can be had in a variety of shapes and sizes. | | | | fireplace is a very versatile decorating item. However |
| You can get them made of clay, cast iron, stainless | | | | you choose to use it, the outdoor fireplace will add |
| steel or copper. They usually burn wood. This is one | | | | charm and beauty for years to come. |
| of the simplest ways to add charm and warmth to | | | | John Stoner is the owner of Patios and - a website |
| your patio or deck. If you are going to use one on a | | | | featuring decorating tips and ideas for the home, |
| wood deck be very careful. There is special deck | | | | patio, deck and garden. Here you'll find more |
| matting available that must be use for safety. An | | | | information on all types of outdoor fireplaces. |
| option that many people don't know about or don't | | | | |