Picking Out A Fire Pit

When the air starts to begin to chill, and you want to continue to use that outside patio area that you so enjoyed during the summer, what do you do? Think like a caveman and look to fire. Here are some basics on what you should think about before purchasing a fire pit.

Picking out what kind of material it will be made of should be your first priority. Copper is good for its heating ability with its high melting point along with its ability to handle heavy use. The only downside to a copper pit is that the copper finish will not stay a shiny surface but will oxidize to a green color called "patina" like an old penny. Be sure to keep your copper pit covered to help extend the life of your finish. Cast iron will last just as long as a copper version and costs usually a bit less. Cast iron is heaver than copper so it will not be as portable, so take that into account when think about placement. The melting point of iron is a bit lower than other kinds of metal and corrosion can be a problem, but usually only over many years of heavy use.

Steel is also a popular material for fire pits. Steel is fairly light compared to cast iron and will retain its look unlike cast iron or copper. If the pit is made out of a heavy gauge, it will have a long life with regular use with little or no problems. Two other kinds of steel, stainless and carbon are usually not used in fire pits because of their costs, but there are those type of pits available if your pocket book will sustain it. The main factors you should think about with weight and portability and materials and longevity.  If you are using wood in your fire pit, here is a great article on the best types of wood to burn, and the ones you shouldn't.