{"id":1751,"date":"2021-01-13T11:33:24","date_gmt":"2021-01-13T11:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/?p=1751"},"modified":"2023-01-25T10:30:53","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T10:30:53","slug":"best-fire-pit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/best-fire-pit\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Choose The Best Fire Pit On The UK Market?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A fire pit turns your garden or patio into a 24-hour, 365-day fun place to hang out. It provides plenty of warmth in the colder evening hours and during the nippy autumn and winter months.<\/p>\n

It also adds a beautiful touch to your garden and provides a warm focal point for conversations with friends and family.<\/p>\n

A good fire pit should be well built, beautifully designed and practical without costing you a lot of money.<\/p>\n

In this buying guide, I review the best fire pits you can buy online and give you some tips on how to choose the right fire pit for your garden or patio.<\/p>\n

What To Consider When Choosing A Fire Pit<\/h2>\n

a) Material<\/h3>\n

The best fire pits are made from either steel or cast iron. These are the best materials for durability. They are also resistant to high temperatures.<\/p>\n

Avoid fire pits made from thin sheets of aluminium or some other material. They\u2019ll warp or dent easily.<\/p>\n

b) Size<\/h3>\n

The larger the area you want to cover, the larger the pit should be. If it\u2019s a small patio, a small fire pit will give off enough heat to keep everyone warm.<\/p>\n

If you want to use it for your garden, get something bigger that can hold more wood or charcoal for added warmth.<\/p>\n

The right size also depends on what kind of fuel you plan to use. A small fire pit can hold a lot of charcoal. But if you plan to put logs in the fire pit, get one that\u2019s large enough to fit sizeable logs from your log store<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Also keep portability in mind when considering what size of pit to get. More on this below.<\/p>\n

c) Portability<\/h3>\n

A garden or patio fire pit is meant to be moved around. If it\u2019s too heavy, you\u2019ll not be able to move it on your own.<\/p>\n

You won\u2019t find a feather-light pit anywhere. The cast iron or steel construction of most fire pits makes them naturally hefty.<\/p>\n

But you can still find a reasonably light fire pit you can lift and move on your own (around 15kg or less). You may need to settle for a smaller fire pit to keep weight down.<\/p>\n

Of course, if you have someone to help you move it, weight is not important.<\/p>\n

Portability is even more essential if you are looking for a pit you can take with you when camping. The best camping fire pits are smaller, lighter (around 5kg), have foldable legs and come with a carry bag.<\/p>\n

d) Can You Grill On It?<\/h3>\n

Next, consider the versatility of the pit. Is it just for warmth or can you also use it to cook and grill.<\/p>\n

The choice depends on your needs. If you never grill or already have an outdoor grill, you can get a pit designed just for warmth.<\/p>\n

But if you think you might love to grill some meat, corn or burgers, get a dual-purpose pit with a grill rack.<\/p>\n

e) Airflow<\/h3>\n

A well designed fire pit should keep your logs or coals burning for hours. This requires good airflow under and around the wood or charcoal.<\/p>\n

Check that the pit has enough holes at the bottom to allow air through. Some pits have a raised bed that creates better airflow beneath the wood.<\/p>\n

f) Spark Screen<\/h3>\n

We highly recommend getting a fire pit with a spark screen, also called a fire screen. It\u2019s domed mesh cover that goes over the top of the fire pit to keep sparks from flying out when the fire is burning.<\/p>\n

A spark screen is especially important if you plan to use the pit in a wood-floored patio (prevents a fire hazard from the sparks). It\u2019s also a good safety measure if your lawn has dry grass or bushes that can easily catch fire.<\/p>\n

g) Aesthetics<\/h3>\n

A fire pit is not just for warmth and cooking. You can also use it as a decorative centrepiece for your garden or patio.<\/p>\n

Most fire pits have a traditional or vintage design, with a curved fire bowl and ornately designed feet. Some go as far as adding a distressed finish to complete the look.<\/p>\n

The best design depends on your tastes.<\/p>\n

How To Use A Fire Pit<\/h2>\n

Here are some helpful tips for using a fire pit.<\/p>\n

i. Location<\/h3>\n

Avoid putting it near anything that can catch fire such as an upholstered chair or near a dry bush.<\/p>\n

The best place to place a fire pit is on flat and non-combustible surface such as pavement, bricks or gravel.<\/p>\n

If you are using it in your garden, prepare a level surface with gravel or paving stones and clear sticks, leaves and anything flammable from the surrounding area.<\/p>\n

If your patio has a wooden floor, lay a fire protection mat on the floor then place the fire pit on it.<\/p>\n

Wherever you put it, make sure the ground is flat. If the fire pit tips and falls, it could easily start a fire.<\/p>\n

ii. Fuel<\/h3>\n

Most fire pits work with charcoal, coal or wood. Choose fuel that burns for long and produces little smoke.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to find slow-burning and low-smoke charcoal, wood briquettes or logs online or at a local store.<\/p>\n

If you are using your own wood, make sure it is dry. Moisture in wood makes it harder to start a fire and causes a lot of smoke.<\/p>\n

iii. Starting A Fire<\/h3>\n

You can start a fire using dry kindling from your garden, dry grass or even a newspaper.<\/p>\n

Place the kindling at the bottom first and then place the logs or coals above, making sure to leave space for you to light the kindling and for air to flow.<\/p>\n

Make sure not to place the wood higher than the fire bowl.<\/p>\n

When you first light<\/a> the fire pit and the coals or logs start burning, there may be a lot of embers and some smoke.<\/p>\n

But as the roaring fire slows down to a glow, it\u2019ll produce fewer sparks and smoke. Occasionally add more charcoal or wood to keep the fire burning.<\/p>\n

iv. Safety Tips<\/h3>\n