The air is cool and crisp. You hear the crunching of freshly fallen leaves under your feet. You clutch a warm mug of apple cider in your hands. There’s only one thing that could make this picture-perfect fall scene better: the crackling flames of a fire.
The warmth, smell, and mesmerizing glow of a backyard firepit are synonymous with fall. But before you strike that first match, it is important to make sure you know how to safely start and put out a fire in your fire pit. Here, we’ll share fire pit safety tips that everyone should know before gathering around the fire with family and friends this season.
Wood-Burning Fire Pits
Choosing Materials to Build a Fire Pit
Wood-burning fire pits are made from many types of fireproof materials on the inner wall. Then, the outer wall is made with a heat-resistant material, which could be brick, stone, masonry blocks, or concrete pavers. What you choose can be based on aesthetic or budget. Brick is often less expensive than natural stone but may require more repairs and upkeep in the long run.
Best Types of Wood to Use
Hardwoods like oak, maple, and hickory are among the top choices. They burn hot and slow, providing steady heat over extended periods. They tend to produce less smoke than softer woods.
Soft woods like pine, spruce, or cedar are considerably easier to light than hardwoods and produce more flames, however that comes with shorter burn times and more smoke, which may make it difficult to breathe. While okay to use, it is recommended to mix them with hardwoods for a better, longer burn.
Fruit woods (applewood, cherry wood, etc.) are another great choice. Like hardwood they burn hot, with the added benefit of producing a pleasant aroma. If cooking over your fire, these woods can enhance the flavors of meat or veggies prepared over the fire. They can be difficult to source and more expensive options.
Avoid using treated woods, which can produce toxic chemicals when burned.
Experienced fire builders recommend using dry, seasoned wood for optimal burning. Some people buy firewood well in advance to ensure that it has time to dry. If the firewood still contains moisture, it will smolder when you burn it or may be difficult to light.
Gas Fire Pits
Gas-burning fire pits are popular alternatives to wood-burning firepits. Liquid propane or natural gas can be used to fuel gas fire pits. Many homeowners choose liquid propane because it is considerably easier to install than tapping into your home’s existing natural gas line. Since gas fuels the fire, there is no need for firewood. Instead, you’ll often find the burner surrounded with fire glass, lava rocks, porcelain fire balls, or metal logs. Just make sure that the material you choose is compatible with your heat source.
Choosing Between Gas vs Wood Fire Pits
So how do you choose? It really comes down to personal preference. If authentic crackling sounds and smokey aroma are must-have elements of your outdoor fire pit, you’ll have to go for a wood fire pit, as gas options just can’t mimic that experience.
However, if you prefer low maintenance and convenience, it is hard to beat the gas fire pit. Starting a fire in a gas firepit isn’t labor-intensive and you can simply control the size of your flame with the turn of a valve.
Regardless of which type you choose, you’ll want to keep an eye on your backyard and new fire pit investment with a CPI Security Outdoor Camera.
How to Start a Fire in a Fire Pit
It can be a daunting task at first, but it is easy to get the hang of, and can be done in just a few steps.
Tinder
The first step in starting a fire is constructing a tinder base. Tinder can be any kind of small, dry material like dry leaves, paper, or wood shavings. Choose a material that will light easily and burn quickly.
Teepee
Surrounding the tinder, build a teepee-like structure with kindling. Kindling is made of small sticks and twigs. Be sure to leave a small gap in your structure so air can flow through to feed and accelerate the fire. Then, around that kindling, create a larger teepee with your dry firewood.
Ignite
Next, use a lighter or matches to ignite the tinder pile. Burning the interior tinder pile first creates a domino effect; once the fire burns through the tinder, it will move on to your kindling, then finally ignite your firewood.
Fire Pit Safety Tips
You want to spend your evening around your firepit relaxing, not worrying about dealing with an avoidable accident because your fire got out of control. All novice fire builders should master these basic fire pit safety tips before sparking a flame.*
- Position your fire pit on level ground.
- Never position your fire pit beneath a building, overhang, or in an enclosed space.
- Be careful of overhanging trees that can easily catch fire from wood-fire sparks.
- Check the wind direction before lighting a fire.
- Avoid burning construction materials like plywood or composite woods, which can release toxic fumes.
- Keep a bucket of sand or a garden hose nearby to tame any haywire sparks and flames.
- Have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket nearby.
Fire Safety Rules for Your Guests
To keep your night around the fire as safe as possible, make sure that your guests abide by fire pit safety rules too. Here are a few fire pit safety rules you should share with your family and guests in advance.
- Make sure your guests don’t get too close to the fire. It is best to position chairs at least three feet away from a fire pit.*
- If your guests are switching seats, ask them to walk behind the chairs so they keep their distance from the flames.
- Don’t allow horseplay near the fire pit.
- Encourage your guests to avoid wearing loose clothing that could easily catch on fire if they accidentally lean toward the fire pit.
Fire Pit Safety FAQs
There is a lot to consider when building a backyard fire pit. To make things easier, check out these frequently asked questions and answers about starting and putting out your fire.
How far away from the house should our fire pit be?
If general, you want your fire pit to be anywhere from 10 to 20 feet or more away from your home. We recommend checking local ordinances or your HOA rules to ensure you are in compliance.*
What do I put under my fire pit?
Place your fire pit on top of a heat-resistant surface like cement, landscaping tiles, or concrete. You can also buy a special fire pit pad or mat to place under your fire pit.
How hot does a fire pit get?
The highest temperature a campfire can reach is roughly 2,012 degrees Fahrenheit. †
How do I dispose of ashes from a fire pit?
Allow the ashes to cool and then empty them into a metal container with a tight-closing lid. Keep the container shut and away from combustible material for several days before disposing of the container completely. Ashes can contain heat for several days, so throwing them in the trash too soon can easily start an accidental fire. ‡
By carefully considering these options and following these fire pit safety tips, you’ll have a fire started and your family and friends having fun in the backyard in no time. For other topics that can keep your family safe, check out more great tips in our blog.
Sources:
* https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/outdoor-spaces/fire-pits-and-fireplaces/fire-pit-safety
† https://enjoythewild.com/how-hot-does-a-campfire-get/
‡ https://walkerfire.org/what-to-do-with-the-ashes-in-your-fireplace-wood-stove-or-fire-pit/
