topic Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them? in Home

Firepits ~ Do you use them?

SydneyH — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 23:36:22 GMT

I just bought an inexpensive, portable one to see how it might fit my outdoor needs. Can anyone share their experiences with theirs?

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

sparklestar — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 00:00:26 GMT

The only experience I have is my neighbor's have one. They did not install it according to code. Our house gets filled with the wood burning smell so I have to shut all my windows when they use it (which really stinks on a nice summer evening). Personally I don't think they belong in small city yards. We are surrounded by people that use them.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

SilleeMee — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 00:23:14 GMT

One of my neighbors has one. I know when he is using it.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 00:35:11 GMT

A few years ago we ripped out our deck and put in a large Unilock patio. I anticipated us being out there a lot enjoying time around the firepit. I wanted a portable pit though so we could arrange our outdoor furniture any way we wanted to without a brick pit being a hinderance. Don't get me wrong, I love our patio and have no regrets, but we've hardly used the firepit anywhere near as much as we thought we would. We spend most of our time on the patio during the daylight hours when we're out there. It seems that when we have the fire going someone is always the "smoke magnet". If it's hot and humid, we'd rather stay inside in the A/C anyhow. For us, the better opportunities for using the pit would be spring and fall.

This is the kind we bought from Lowe's for $99. For the limited use it's had, I'm even happier that I didn't have a brick one built.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

Buck-i-Nana — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 00:51:24 GMT

I have a firepit that gets used a couple times a month. You have to be very careful with them! You don't want it too close to your house or any storage sheds. A lot of heat generates underneath the pit, so if you aren't placing it on stone or concrete, you need to put a fire mat/pad under it or make a layer of non-flamable material. My neighbor didn't realize the heat and scorched his deck. Obviously if the ground is very dry where you are, you need to be double sure to have a hose at the ready or fire extinguisher.

As JeanLouise mentioned, someone always ends up the smoke magnet. It's a rare evening that we can sit all around the fire pit instead of on one side or the other.

If you live in a town or city, you should check to see if there are any laws/codes that apply to firepits. We do here in my town.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

AuntG — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 01:09:04 GMT

Ours is built into the ground and about all it gets used for is burning yard waste.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

bargainsgirl — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 01:58:14 GMT

I do not have one BUT my neighbors do on both sides. This year they have not used them (YEAH!) but in the past I have had smoke come into my house. On a warm summer night this is not ok!!! One time I had to go over and tell them it was that bad. They were VERY gracious and after that incident they moved it to a far corner and were much more mindful. Just think of your neighbors and who will be affected by the smoke.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

Snowpuppy — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 02:40:50 GMT

We have a modest stone built in fire pit, materials from Mennards.

They are popular up here but we have a small amount of acreage so neighbors don't fuss. Cool, chilly nites they are wonderful. Especially if you're burning apple wood or cherry wood.

If someone's fire is giving off too much smoke they may not be using seasoned firewood. Wood that is green, freshly cut or wet produces far more smoke than heat.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

IamMrsG — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 02:52:53 GMT

sparklestar wrote, in part: "...my neighbor's have one...Our house gets filled with the wood burning smell so I have to shut all my windows when they use it (which really stinks on a nice summer evening)."

We like to sleep with our windows open on pleasant Summer nights. Our neighbor comments often that the former owners of this house ran the A.C., keeping their windows closed all Summer. Well, DH and I know why -- the neighbors' firepit fills our bedroom and sinuses with the stink of smoke and (wet) burning wood.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

ID2 — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 11:01:57 GMT

We had one built into our landscaping when we had everything done 2 years ago. Its absolutely wonderful to have a campfire at night as I'm looking at our beautiful lake. Heaven on earth!

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

151949 — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 12:33:17 GMT

We had one when we lived in Pittsburgh but we had a large yard and it was as far as possible from the house. I can agree they are not appropriate fora small city or suburb yard where the smoke would bother neighbors.

Oddly, here at camp where you expect a firepit or fire ring our campsite has an actual outdoor fireplace. It is left from an old building that was torn down a long time ago. It's nice to not have to deal with the smoke - up the chimney it goes.We do enjoy our fires when we are here.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

fthunt — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 12:41:13 GMT

One street over (from me) I heard crackling - loud - behind a house that's in foreclosurer - concerned that the empty house was on fire....I called the police. Happy to say I never heard that sound again, apparently police put a stop to it. (that was 2 years ago)

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

Nataliesgramma — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 12:48:10 GMT

We have one and only use it occasionally...

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

Fressa — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:01:42 GMT

We purchased one two or three years ago and really used it. It was great for burning those small branches that blow in the yard during the storms. No need to purchased firewood. It was great. We just replaced it this year with the exact same one. We liked the more petite size and it wae constructed so well with cast iron and stone. Both times we actually got lucky with a big sale so it really fit in the budget.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

Katluver925 — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:16:22 GMT

I don't have one, but at least one neighbor has one, because our house fills with the smell of smoke when they use it. I don't think they belong in a neighborhood where the houses are close together. We are in severe drought conditions in So. California, so it only takes one spark to start a fire. I think they should be outlawed here, unless they are gas burning and can't cause sparks.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

jpie — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 16:40:52 GMT

I have a portable firepit I got from Overstock. It was an impulse purchase for sure. Yes, I wish I had a smaller size.

I had it three years and only used it a couple of times. I only move it from the garage to the patio when it gets chilly in the autumn months. I have to have a second person to help me move it because it has a large capacity. It's cozy when you have made a big batch of chili and a couple of adult beverages to share.

Some of my neighbors use theirs for an adult gathering in the front driveway during Halloween while handing out candy to the neighborhood kids.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

CANDLEQUEEN — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:10:23 GMT

We do not have one, but our neighbor behind us has one, and whenever they are going to burn leaves which is always in the fall, she lets us know up front, so we can close our doors and windows, they only burn the leaves 2 or 3 times and they do use it in the summer months as well, but it has never bothered us too much. Our yards aren't huge but they are not small either. I think a lot depends on the type of wood you burn!

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

goldensrbest — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 21:59:28 GMT

I do not have one ,but my son does one bulit into ground,he has a grate for it,he grills out food on it,oh my the food tastes so good, i love the smell of wood burning.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

scotnovel — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 22:10:19 GMT

I can't imagine why anyone would have one unless they have a lot of property and live by a lake or something like that where they can have plenty of space between the pit and the seating. That would seem relaxing to me.

When I've seen them put into relatively small landscapes(normal size yards) in some of those yard crasher type TV shows, they always look like they are too close to the seating or too near the house itself. I would also be concerned if I had smaller children around.

Re: Firepits ~ Do you use them?

SydneyH — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 10:46:47 GMT

@scotnovel wrote:
I can't imagine why anyone would have one unless they have a lot of property and live by a lake or something like that where they can have plenty of space between the pit and the seating. That would seem relaxing to me.

When I've seen them put into relatively small landscapes(normal size yards) in some of those yard crasher type TV shows, they always look like they are too close to the seating or too near the house itself. I would also be concerned if I had smaller children around.

It's no more 'dangerous' than an unattended stove imo. We have plenty of space so disturbing our neighbors is not an issue.