Outdoor Gas Fire Pits

Location

The first question to consider is where are you going to build it. You need a safe location with enough space round it so that people can gather and there is no risk of the fire spreading. Remember to look up as well as around. The ground needs to be suitable and of course if you are going to build a fire pit in a park or other similar area you need to take seriously any fire regulations.

You can build a permanent fire pit for which there are many pre made pits available where you don’t so much build one as assemble it. I am assuming here that you are going to try and build a fire pit not just buy a kit.

The Base

Depending on the surface on which you are building your fire pit you may or may not need a base to it. If the location is dirt or sand or some other non flammable material and there is no problem with leaving a mark on it due to the heat then you are best just using what is there as a base to your fire pit. In other situations you will need a piece of non flammable material, probably metal to use a a base.

Fire Bricks

Make a ring of fire bricks and make sure they are large enough and sturdy enough to hold the grill grate.

The Grill Grate

Something to put your food on is also a bonus, like a grill grate. A heavy cast iron one would be best. The grill grate will provide a good guide to the overall size of your fire pit. Don’t fall into the trap of making the fire pit then getting a grate and finding it is too small. The grate should overlap the bricks to make sure it is stable. If hyou don’t want to go to the expense of a grill grate some long skewers will do as a minimum.

Mesh Cover

A mesh cover is recommended but not vital. The advantages are that it will give you some extra control over your fire to stop embers flying if the fire is burning fiercely.

Cooking on a Fire Pit

Cooking on a fire pit requires practice unless you have a gas fire pit, which provides instant constant heat. With wood it is slow to get going, then typically burns fiercely with large flames before settling down to the ideal stage of nice hot glowing embers. This is the best stage for cooking. The embers will start to cool so you have to then add more wood and go through the cycle again.

Build a Fire Pit – Sorted

Not that hard really. Just remember safety, including other peoples safety is most important. Next most important is to have a good time

While many people are buying fire pits these days, an outdoor gas fireplace is still extremely popular. In many cases people will consider them to actually be the same thing. The differences are perhaps much to do with size and shape, with an outdoor gas fireplace being just that – a fireplace that is used outdoors! It will look very much like the fireplace you would find inside a home whereas a fire pit is something that mimics a traditional camp fire and is nothing like anything you would find inside your home.

Its all in the Shape

So when we talk about Outdoor Gas Fireplaces we expect a standard looking fire which will be square or rectangular in shape probably embedded in a fixed position in a garden or yard.

What sort of Fuel

You can fuel your fireplace with wood but a much more convenient solution is to use some form of gas. This is usually either Propane or Natural Gas. Remember to read any safety information that comes with your fireplace carefully as there are safety implications with installation and use where gas is concerned.

Troubleshooting

Some of the problems you might experience with an outdoor gas fireplace:

• Dark orange flames can be caused by lack of air due to dirt or dust in the gas supply. Check and clean vents according to the supplied instructions.
• A whistling noise can also occur due to dirt or air in the supply. Check your supplied instrcutions or have the gas checked by a qualified engineer.
• You hear a clicking noise after you switch off. This is normal and is just the sound produced as the metal cools.
• Black soot can form over time if the fireplace is installed in an exposed windy location due to the wind causing an erratic flame. There are safety issues with location so always follow manufacturers guidance.

One of the most convenient types of Fire Pit are Propane Gas Fire Pits.

Lighting the Fire

This is very simple with Propane Gas Fire Pits. I wouldn’t like to offer instructions however as there are safety implications and you should always follow the instructions supplied with your particular model. It isn’t difficult though, especially compared to lighting a wood based fire pit. You can go for manual ignition or spend a bit extra and get an electronic ignition kit.

Problems with Propane Gas Fire Pits

• Sometimes you can get  the extremes of either a very yellow flame or a very blue flame, both of which which don’t look good. This is usually caused by a badly adjusted air vent. Consult your user manual to find out how to adjust this. You should aim for a mixed blue/yellow flame. If adjusting the air vent doesn’t work it may just be clogged up with dust or dirt.
• You can get an annoying hissing sound from the propane. Hopefully the noise from the party will drown this out

Wildfires

Propane Gas Fire Pits are likely to be portable and will often be used outside of the normal yard/back garden. If you are tempted to use your fire pit in a park or similar place you need to take seriously the possibility of starting a fire that could get out of control. Parks will have rules about what type of fires are permitted and you should follow them. For example the Arizona State Parks have a web page listing such information. Make sure you get proper advice before lighting up. Don’t let this put you off as a Propane Fire Pit is the safest when compared with a wood fire pit or traditional campfire and are often exempt from fire restriction rules.

Logs, Glass and Fire Crystals

Although we are talking about gas fire pits here it is common to include some imitation logs for that wood fire effect. Make sure you get ones designed for your fire pit. You can also fill in the gaps between or around the logs with something like lava rocks which are typically sold in 20lb bags and look great.

For some really strange effects you can add special glass and crystals.

So what are Gas Fire Pits? A Fire Pit is just a way of keeping a fire within a defined area and under control. It could just be a hole in the ground but is generally understood to be something you purchase that provides a safe, controllable fire. Gas Fire Pits are the most convenient type of Fire Pit because the fuel source is some form of gas, usually Propane.

Safety

When purchasing a Gas Fire Pit keep safety uppermost in your mind. Make sure you follow any safety information that is provided and only buy from a reputable supplier. Also make sure the one you buy is suitable for the use you intend. For example some Fire Pits are meant only for Heat and effect and not for cooking. Most are intended for Outdoor use only, not for use in a Garage or other indoor location.

Advantages

The great thing about Fire Pits is the way they extend those warm Summer nights. Most people get great weather sometime during the year but often it just isn’t warm enough to be outside. With a Fire Pit you get to stay out later in the day and later in the year. Its not just the warmth though. Its very much to do with style and effect. There are some amazing Fire Pit designs that truly add something special to your yard or garden.

Another great reason to have a Fire Pit is for outdoor cooking. Some would say that Wood Fire Pits have the advantage over Gas Fire Pits when it comes to cooking as you can add to the flavor of the food by choosing the type of wood you burn. But the wood takes away some of the control you have over the flavor. With a Gas Fire Pit the flavor is up to you and your recipe.

Gas Fire Pits

What about Gas Fire Pits in particular. Well the great thing about a Gas Fire Pit is the ease of use. Easy to light and easy to put out. They cool quickly and there are no embers to worry about. You get plenty of heat and it is consistent and predictable. No worrying about trying to get the fire going or searching for the right type of wood. No cleaning out the mess.