Make Your Outdoor Fire Experience Safer with a Fire Pit Screen

23. February 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Fire Pit Accessories · Tags: , , , ,

Admittedly, one of the issues that is being thrown against wood-burning fire pit has something to do with safety. During a burning activity, sparks and live embers tend to pop out of your fire pit or randomly fly around and possibly land on people or any flammable materials.

While this scenario can lead to accidental burn (or worse fire), this however can be easily remedied with a fire pit screen.

Once you have your fire going, you simply put this fire pit accessory over your flames and that’s pretty much like it. The nice thing about fire pit screens is the fact that they are either made transparent, allowing you to watch the whole burning process and still protect you at the same time. There are also screens with pretty designs which greatly add to the aesthetics of your fire pit.

When shopping for your fire pit screen, there are a couple of things that you have to consider. First, you have to choose a screen that is tall enough to cover the pile of woods loaded into your pit. This is important especially if you intend to spend long hours burning woods. Otherwise, you have to contend yourself adding woods every now and then which can be a little inconvenient and time-consuming.

However, if you expect to spend less time outdoors, the height of your fire pit screen won’t really matter a lot since you only have to reload woods once or twice., Needless to say, the length of time that you expect your fire to burn should determine the height or diameter of your fire pit screen.

Additionally, you also have to think of the material of your screen. Obviously, it has to be a material that can withstand the extreme heat of your fire pit. Stainless steel is a popular option as it is one of the few materials that is strong enough to tolerate very high temperature. Iron is also another material to consider since it is affordable but on the downside, it is prone to rust especially if not properly taken care of.

Another point to consider is the design of your screen. It is ideal to choose one that makes it easier for you to tend to your fire. Look for a screen that has a large hinged door so you can conveniently stoke your fire, and add woods every now and then without having to lift the entire screen. In addition, consider a screen with a comfortable and long handle to enable you to lift your screen without the risk of getting too close to the flame. Or you can look for a fire pit screen that come with a lifting tool to make it much easier for you to lift the cover without the risk of burning your hands.

 

How to choose the right fire pit cover?

23. February 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Fire Pit Accessories · Tags: , , , ,

A fire pit cover is one of those fire pit accessories that you should be investing in. This item is typically used to protect your fire pit when not in use. As you know, it is never a good idea to leave your heating device exposed to outdoor elements like snow, rain, and molds as they can contribute to the quick deterioration of your outdoor fire pit. Without any protection, the rain and snow will not only cause your fire pit to be wet, they will also gather inside your pit and once combined with the ashes and other burning residue, they will cause the unit irreparable damage. Since fire pits are considered investments that most of the times don’t really come cheap, you always want to ensure that they last you from season to season.

To choose the right cover for your fire pit, first it has to be the exact size and shape as your heating solution. Make sure that the cover is big enough to cover the entire device but not too large as it may be easy for the wind to blow it away.

Another consideration is that it should be made of a material that will aptly protect your pit from the elements. Fire pit covers come in a wide variety of materials like metal, fabric, or plastic-coated. If it is meant to cover a permanent fire pit that sits in the open space, make sure to choose a material that can withstand the elements like wind, rain and snow. For this purpose, you are better off with a cover made of metal or plastic although the former can be quite expensive. One that is made of heavy fabric is also a good option since it can also protect your pit from water.

If you are looking for a cover for your portable fire pit, then maybe one that is made of cloth will do since you can store your portable fire pit in an area that is not exposed to rain and water, anyway. But make sure that when using a cover made of cloth your heating device had enough time to cool down before you wrap it with the cloth or other similar material.

You should also think of the color of your fire pit cover. Since it will often be out on display, you want a shade that complements the rest of your outdoor surrounding, and blends well with the rest of your outdoor decoration.

A fire pit cover is an essential accessory that is both functional and attractive. It can extend the longevity of your heating device so you can enjoy your outdoors for a long time.

How Important are Fire Pit Accessories?

20. February 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Fire Pit Accessories · Tags: , , , ,

Sometimes, you can’t help but wonder if fire pit accessories are just that- mere decorations. Don’t be fooled by the name, though. There are many accessories that do more than give pleasant aesthetics to your outdoor fire pits. They are practical, useful and in many instances play a crucial role in the performance and longevity of your heating devices, not to mention the safety of your property and loved ones.

For instances, accessories like wood racks, fire pit cover, spark screen, and log grabber are examples of perfect items that you should get for your wood fire pits. They will help ensure that your outdoor fire experience is a lot more convenient and safer.  Wood racks make it easier for you to stack your woods so you don’t have to keep fetching outdoors for more every now and then while burning.

A fire pit cover on the other hand ensures that your heating device is well protected from the elements outside when not in use. Being exposed to rain, snow and other outdoor conditions will contribute to the quick deterioration of your fire pits. A spark screen is your protection to the live embers and sparks that tend to pop out randomly during a burning activity while a log grabber or a poker helps you tend to your fire without getting burned.

For your gas fire pits, there are also equally beneficial accessories that you should invest in. There’s the stainless steel ring for instance which will help you make the most of the heat generated by your fire pit. There are also fire domes, decorative stones, glasses, and a lot more. They not only enhance the beauty of your gas logs but also help in making sure that your gas heating devices perform as expected.

If you plan on cooking on your fire pits, as many do, you should get a few cooking accessories that you can incorporate into your pits. Cooking grates, for examples are perfect for outdoor cooking. They are positioned above the flames for you to cook your food on it. You can also choose to invest in an outdoor kitchen complete set to make your outdoor cooking easier and convenient.

Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are other functional fire pit accessories that you should be checking out. Needless to say, just like your outdoor heating devices, they make your open fire experience way more fun and convenient. But choosing the right items to complement and accessorize your fire pits is important so you won’t end up wasting your hard-earned money.

Practical Fire Pit Accessories You Must Invest In

16. February 2012 · Comments Off · Categories: Fire Pit Accessories · Tags: , , ,

After some serious considerations, you now finally know which fire pit style to go for. Chances are that you already have purchased one by now. You’re probably too excited to finally use it in your outdoors. Call me a spoilsport but hold your horses. Don’t you think you have forgotten something?

Let me explain. As much as fire pits have the ability to do magic to your outdoor living spaces; and as much as they are efficient and effective heat providers; they are heating devices that deal with open fire, thus, the need for extra caution. This also explains why you need some useful fire pit accessories which not only enhance the aesthetics of your heating units but equally ensure your safety and that of your property and loved ones. They also help in ensuring that your fire pits last you a long time.

Given the many kinds of fire pit accessories flooding the market today, with a lot of them nothing more than mere decorations, it is sometimes hard to choose one that does really live up to their expectations. But here are a few accessories that combine both the aesthetics and practicality, making them ideal items that you shouldn’t do without.

stainless steel fire ring

  1. Stainless steel fire ring- The common issue associated with a wood-burning fire pit is that it is sometimes difficult to start a fire. You can avoid this problem by acquiring a a stainless steel fire ring which helps you get a flame started. You can even upgrade your wood fire pit with it. They are easy to install although you need the services of a qualified person to install it. No need to go through the process of singeing your hair or eyebrows when starting a fire with those stubborn logs.
  2. Log Grabber- This fire pit accessory allows you to grasp, lift and re-arrange your woods or coals in your fire pit in order to maximize the heat they produce. Since obviously you can’t touch them, a log grabber does it for you. It has the size and design that makes it extremely portable, making it extremely ideal to take with you in your camping trips.

    log grabber

  3. Spark screen- To protect you from the sparks and live embers that tend to fly out of your fire pit, a spark screen is a practical choice. They eliminate the chances of these sparks to land on your skin or to any flammable materials that can lead to a bigger problem.
  4. Fire pit cover- This product offers your fire pit protection from the sun, mold, snow and other outdoor elements which can contribute to the deterioration of your heating device over time. When not in use, it’s a good idea to cover your pit to ensure its longevity.

    fire pit cover

  5. Safety gloves- During a burning activity, it is sometimes necessary for you to hold your fire pit. This can be dangerous especially if you hold it with your bare hands which is not at all advised since the metal or glass parts of your pit can get really hot. Make sure you use safety gloves every time you need to do this to protect your hands from being burned. You’d be surprised that a lot of people failed to do this ad end up with nasty burns on their body.

To further make your open fire experience way safer and more fun, always observe safety measures at all times. Remember, fire is a dangerous element and when dealing with it, there’s no such thing as being too safe.

 

Custom Fire Pit Installation

23. December 2011 · 4 comments · Categories: Fire Pit Accessories

You’ve probably seen them on DIY and maybe you’ve had a chance to see one at a friends house.  You probably want one but you just don’t know how to get started.

Yep, custom fire pit installations are cool, and their getting more and more affordable.  With a gas fire pit kit and some imagination you can do just about anything.

Stainless Steel Fire Ring

Stainless Steel Fire Ring

This is a stainless steel fire ring designed to be installed in a custom application.  Once connected to a natural gas or propane gas line this fire ring will provide a beautiful flame presentation for the perfect evening ambiance.

There are plenty of variations of this in square and rectangle shapes as well as straight tubes and I’ve even heard of people having them custom made to fit a specific fire feature.

Gas Fire Pit

This is the Outdoor Campfyre from RH Peterson...beautiful

Of course you’ve got the Fire and Water mixture like this which is amazing as well…

Custom Designed Fire Bowls

Fire and Water is always an interesting combination

With the right builder and a good imagination the possibilities are endless.  For anyone interested in this sort of a project let me suggest spending some time on Google just searching for pictures that you like.  Create a folder and save everything that sticks out to you.

Later you can share this folder with your builder to come up with a custom built one of a kind masterpiece all on your own.  I just find looking at these sorts of examples gives everyone better picture.

Fire Pit Fountain

Stunning Fire Pit Fountain

The above examples show some amazing luxury examples but the reality is that you don’t have to pay a luxury price to have something for your own back yard even if you’re on a budget.

Using a shovel, a rake, and a little bit of back pain relief medicine you can create your own fire pit with ease.

Fire Pit Measurments

In the end, your your imagination and your budget will be your only boundaries.

Here’s a great instructional video if you’d like some more direction on how to build your own fire pit.

Hope you enjoyed the post.  Leave a comment below if you did.