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Outdoor Fire Pit Advantages
Fire pits are a great way to relax and unwind with family and friends. Offering soothing warmth and ambiance, they give your space a sense of intimacy while keeping cold weather at bay.
Multi-Season Space
Fire pits help extend your time outdoors, even in cooler weather. There’s no need to abandon your backyard until spring, light up the night and keep the party going.
Add Ambiance
Whether you want a romantic backdrop for two, or just a sense of calmness and serenity, the dancing flames will brighten and cozy up your space.
Affordable Investent
Not only are fire pits friendly to the wallet, but your DIY options will save you even more.
Little Maintenance Required
Gas firepits need their gas connections checked, and wood-burning pits only require basic soot and ash cleanout.
Fire Pit Fuel Types
Wood and gas are the standard and most popular choices for firepits, though a few specialty options have surfaced in recent years.
Wood
The old-fashioned, smoky aroma and pleasant crackle of a wood fire creates an ambiance that can’t be beaten, and the benefits of quick installation and minimal maintenance make these a popular choice. Traditional log firepits are the least expensive option and produce larger, hotter fires than their gas counterparts.
Gas
As opposed to wood, gas fire pits require less work. Since there’s no chopping wood and no matches, starting a fire can be as simple as turning on the gas valve and pushing a button. Propane models attach to a standard 20-pound propane tank that will need to be placed somewhere on your patio. Some units are built to house the tank within its structure while other brands carry a separate matching tank cover. Natural gas has the advantage of a cleaner installation since there is no tank to place, but it will require professional plumbing to run the natural gas line to your fire pit.
Other Fuel Types
Though wood and gas are the most common, alternative fuel types have risen in popularity lately and present their own advantages and disadvantages. Pellet fire pits are a more predictable, consistent, and safe option that gives you that wood-fueled experience without the hassle of logs. Ethanol fire pits are clean burning, meaning they require very little maintenance since there is no ash or other residue to clean up. Lastly, we have gel. Gel is an environmentally friendly fuel, but these fire pits produce less heat than some other fuel options.
Smokeless Fire Pits
Smokeless fire pits feature double-walled construction and a secondary combustion system to prevent heat from escaping. This means that very little smoke is produced, and wood or charcoal is burned to ash, eliminating any remaining smoke particles. So, smokeless fire pits work by keeping the fire hot so that the wood can burn as hot as possible to create as little smoke as possible.
Minimal Smoke
Specially designed air flow technology helps logs burn completely and greatly minimizes smoke.
Easy to Clean
The absence of smoke and minimal ash left behind make this a breeze to clean.
Take It Anywhere
Lightweight and portable designs mean you can take it on the road or enjoy it at home.
Fire Pit Types, Sizes, and Styles
Each fire pit style lends a different aesthetic to your outdoor space, and some have the added benefit of being practical even when not in use.
Fire Pit Materials
The material of your firepit will make a big difference in terms of longevity, maintenance, and overall cost. BBQGuys offers more than 20 different types of materials to choose from, so let’s take a look at some of the most popular choices available.
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Powder-Coated Steel
Powder-coated steel is steel that has been coated with a layer of powdered paint. It's a popular method for adding color and protection to metal surfaces, providing durability and resistance to corrosion. It's a budget-friendly option, though it may have a shorter lifespan compared to more robust materials.
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GFRC
Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete is composed of specially formulated cement, glass fibers, aggregates, and polymers, and uses special alkaline resistant glass fibers and polymers instead of steel for reinforcement. This creates a final product that is thin and hollow in construction, so it weighs a fraction of a traditional pre-cast concrete fire pit.
Ignition Type
The ignition type is what is used to light the burner on a gas fire pit. Different methods are more popular than others, so it’s important to know the difference when making your choice.
Fire Pit Safety
It’s important to always maintain proper safety practices when operating a firepit. Be sure to read the owner’s manual and maintain the recommended clearance to combustibles. Our Fire Pit Safety Guide where we will take you through more of the proper protocols for safely enjoying your fire pit.
Fire Pit Warranties
Fire pits can last an exceptionally long time when properly cared for, but even the best fire pits have the occasional issue. Check out our Fire Pit Warranty Comparison Chart for more information on what warranties our fire pit brands offer.
Gas Fire Pit Decor
Don’t forget the finishing touches! Fire pit décor refers to anything you can put inside the pit, as well as ornamentation usually placed on top of or used with filler. It’s a great way to add some extra pizzazz to your gas fire pit. Choose one or mix and match for a truly unique look. Types of décors include fire glass, geometric shapes, stone branches, or shaped glass to help you create beautiful and diverse firescapes. Check out our Fire Glass Buying Guide for more information.
DIY Fire Pits
For a fire pit that’s truly unique to your taste and your space, getting a DIY fire pit kit is a great option. You have the advantage of making it any size you want, and you can customize your materials to match your patio. Our article on How to Build a Gas Fire Pit will go into more detail about what you’ll need for your journey.
Whether you're roasting marshmallows over a wood-burning fire, or simply enjoying each other's company, any fire pit you choose will serve as a welcoming gathering place for your backyard. For more information about adding a fire pit to your space, give our experts a call at 1-877-743-2269. We have over 20 years of experience in outdoor heating to answer all your questions.