How to Avoid 5 Common Mistakes with Your Fire Pit
The primal enjoyment of a backyard fire is undeniable. Whether you’re roasting marshmallows, cooking some burgers, or simply enjoying the warm glow, a fire pit is a great addition to just about any backyard.
You want to have fun, make memories, kick back, and tell a few stories. Most likely, you also want to be responsible and safe with the event, including those you care deeply about. Before you go and buy all of your S’mores ingredients, make sure you've covered all of the bases when it comes to proper construction and usage of your fire pit. This will help ensure those plans go off as intended. There are a few basic rules to follow to help make sure you maximize the fun and minimize the headaches.
Here are 5 mistakes to avoid when planning your backyard fire feature.
1) Don’t Skimp on Space
One secret to happy guests and a successful evening is to have ample space. Don’t just relegate a corner of your backyard for a few chairs and a pit. Owner of Sierra Landscape Management, Robert Molinet suggests, “Consider that not all guests might want to be so close that they go home smelling like a campsite. Make sure there’s space to move chairs and walk around safely. Provide ample room with a 14-foot minimum area.”
2) Use Proper Materials
Before heading down to your local home improvement store, understand that there are pros and cons to each material choice. Metal can rust or tarnish, concrete weathers, and bricks can crack unless specifically designed for high-heat situations. There are a lot of exciting trends happening in the outdoor living industry. Understanding how each new innovation will serve your gatherings will help you in the long run.
Natural stone is our personal favorite for its abundance in the area as well as durability. Not all rocks are equal though. Dense rocks such as granite will perform better in the long run over more porous rocks such as limestone.
3) Built it Right
Just because your fire pit came in a box, with a brand name attached, or conversely is a simple rock circle sourced from the nearby woods, does not automatically mean it is always safe to use. Depending on the design there may be more to the picture that you may need to consider. In New Jersey, there are regulations and guidelines in many municipalities and counties. Some of them include…
Make sure the pit isn’t more than about 30" in diameter
Have at least five feet of a fire break, like a maintained lawn, pavers, mineral soil, etc.
At least 25 feet away from combustible material like your house, a shed, or fencing
The foundation is an integral part, too. Without a solid base, you risk the possibility of it collapsing or shifting. Start with a layer of sand at the bottom, covered by gravel, lava rocks, fire pit glass, dirt, or fire-rated bricks.
4) Get Legal
You’ll need to check with local regulations and bylaws to make sure you’re clear to have a fire pit in your backyard. Some municipalities ban outdoor fires completely. It also goes beyond local bylaws here in New Jersey. Section Forest Fire Warden Eric Weber would like homeowners to know that you are required to contact the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and file for a free 90-day Residential permit for any open fire pit or vessel in your backyard.
Mr. Weber jokes a bit when he says, “It’s New Jersey’s best-kept secret that you have to get a campfire permit.” He goes on to say that it’s about accountability and making sure people understand and do what is necessary for safe enjoyment – Not only for you, but for your community.
5) Understand How to Use it Safely
Do you know what type of fuel you are using? We find most people feel strongly one way or the other. Fire pits are often a one trick pony. For example, if you decide to buy a liquid propane fire vessel, you can’t scratch the nostalgia itch and decide to use wood in it.
You will also need to consider the size of your fire pit. Smaller pits and vessels are not designed for large amounts of wood. Don’t overload it.
The Real Truth
Fire features are great platforms for creating memorable experiences. Unfortunately, we've also seen how improper use of a fire vessel can ruin a nice night in the backyard. Currently, we are seeing a upward-moving trend in which homeowners are purchasing trendy, smokeless fire pits coming into the market. These are certainly attractive in theory – More heat, less smoke. Sign me up... Without understanding the limitations of the design or carefully reading the proper usage guidelines, we have met homeowners who weren't aware of the extreme heat that is generated at the bottom of their smokeless fire vessel. This has generated some less than desirable results.
Specifically, we visited one family whose brand-name smokeless fire pit got so hot that it actually caused the patio underneath to explode, sending pieces of burning hot rock outward towards the guests. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. Unfortunately, the new patio did not fair so well, needing a significant repair afterward. We later learned that the company only briefly mentions the use of a heat deflector underneath. This information was found only in the fine print of the FAQ section on their website. Despite repeatedly reaching out the company, they’ve made no response to date.
This event could have been avoided with some simple precautionary measures, like following the tips above in this article. A valuable lesson was learned by many in this situation, and not just about how to use a fire pit. We want you and your guests to be safe this and future seasons. A little precaution goes a long way when it comes to fire safety.
Watch the video here!