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It doesn’t matter whether it is spring, summer, autumn, or winter all of us get excited whenever the fire season is about to arrive. Of course, it is much harder to have a great time during rainy days, however, it shouldn’t stop us from enjoying it.
Winter is practically coming to an end, so it’s time to prepare ourselves for spring. As always, we are keeping our fingers crossed in hopes that the weather is going to be perfect, or at least dry enough so that we can have a decent fire.
Being with our loved ones, outdoors is one of the best ways to spend some quality time outside. So if you are a true lover of fire pit season, and you want to make sure that everything goes smoothly, follow these tips to make the most of your fire this year.
1. Start The Day
A lot of people think that fire pits should be utilized only during nighttime, however, that’s not really the case. Of course, you can do it then, but it also wouldn’t hurt if you started off your day with a fire.
This whole process is extremely relaxing, especially during chilly, gloomy days. A morning fire is going to surely set an upbeat tone for the rest of your day. To further embellish this atmosphere, bring a huge cup of your morning coffee, a delicious croissant, a good book and you’re good to go.
2. Purchase Firewood
A lot of people have a tendency to acquire firewood in bulk in order to spend less money, however, it’s important to assess how much space you have for your storage. Firewood gurus from Dublin, at https://www.buyfirewooddirect.ie/, suggest that you must ensure you have enough space to store the wood. It would be recommendable to store it with a plethora of space between these logs
Namely, if you do this it will prevent rotting and allow drying. Another important thing to remember is not to place the firewood next to your home or garage because of mice, insects, and many other dangers.
Now, if you’re planning on burning the wood in an outdoor fire pit, then it really doesn’t matter what kind of wood you’re going to buy. On the other hand, when it comes to an indoor fireplace, you should consider purchasing dense firewood, such as maple or oak.
3. Safety Checks Before First Grill
Yes, we know that you probably cannot wait to “launch” your first grill of the season, however, there are some safety measures that must be taken before you proceed. A lot of us, unfortunately, just throw stuff onto the grill and start cooking as soon as the weather becomes warmer.
That’s not how things are supposed to be if you want to be extra careful. Viz, if you are firing up coal, ensure to check out the mesh basket at the bottom of the charcoal chimney. Sadly, many chimneys begin to rust out and decline.
If you placed the grill inside the garage, or your home, ensure you have a clear, clean, properly-ventilated area once you decide to start cooking again. Furthermore, a lot of manufacturers suggest that you enable 24″ between any flammable materials (shrubbery, fences, deck railings, vinyl siding, dog houses) and the grill.
4. Be Ready To Put Out The Flames
No one can deny that fire is breathtaking and at the same time magical. People adore it for its warmth and hypnotizing light and many perceive it as a tool that gathers people and creates an intimate and romantic atmosphere.
At times, a lot of us forget that it can also be quite dangerous and unpredictable. Namely, if you set your fire pit is a relatively secured place and take the direction and speed of the wind into consideration, then you probably are not going to experience any issues.
Still, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t keep a bucket of water and a shovel near you in case something hazardous occurs. In those cases, you should utilize water to eliminate fire and the shovel to quell the flames by throwing dirt on them.
Besides that, it also wouldn’t hurt if you’ve obtained a large fire blanket that is going to help you smother the flames outside or inside the fire pit, or if, God forbid, one of your guests is hurt by fire.
If you’re inviting any children over to your house, ensure to teach them to “stop, drop and roll” in case their clothes catch some fire. Of course, it doesn’t mean that you are going to experience all these troubles, but as people tend to say – you can never be too careful and we couldn’t agree more.
5. Create Privacy
Unfortunately, a lot of people (especially your neighbors) love to stick their noses into other people’s business, so in order to prevent that, ensure nobody can see anything. How can you accomplish that?
Namely, it’s relatively simple. Do not try to create privacy by utilizing fencing, instead of tall hedges. A lot of people achieve it with complementary seating, as well as with a concrete fire pit. As simple as that!
6. Gather Your Family
Who doesn’t like to eat, especially if it’s something delicious? There are so many things you can do with the members of your family and one of them is cooking for sure. There’s nothing better than cooking on a stick, above an open flame.
The good thing about this activity is that even children can get involved in it. Things like hot dogs are something that everyone adores, or you can even have your own kebab bar. If none of these foods is your thing, then surely burgers are your cup of tea. As you can see a plethora of alternatives is at your disposal.
7. Find A Way To Build Your Own Fire Pit
If you do not already have one, then perceive this task as an entertaining project. If you have enough space, then you can freely add a fire pit to your lovely backyard. Luckily, it doesn’t really take too much.
All you need is several bags of crushed rock, a steel ring and you will be able to create a spectacular place where you will gather all your friends and family members and enjoy the great outdoors. So how can you do it? For starters:
- Check with your town or city to see whether fire pits are permitted. This is important because a lot of places contain codes governing where you are allowed to install a fire ring, how big it is supposed to be, and many other elements. You can either call them or go to their website.
- Pick a place that complies with these codes and is pretty far away from shrubs, fences overhanging trees and other things that easily catch fire. Contour your fire pit by utilizing a can of spray paint.
- Make sure to call 811 before you dig to find the underground utility, as well as the service lines. It would be recommendable to call them at least two days before you start to dig.
- Create a hole for your fire ring. The perfect diameter of the pit is supposed to be approximately four to five. When it comes to the in-ground fire pit, ensure to dig twelve inches and then put a 36″ ring in the center of the hole.
- Fill in the gap outside the fire ring with six inches of dirt and then pack it down.
- Put the boulders or pavers around the fire ring, fill the gaps with and sand and that’s it. You’re done!
8. Do Not Leave A Fire Unattended
Even if it seems like the fire has died down and you only notice glowing embers, it doesn’t mean that you should leave it unattended, not even for a split second. If you are forced to do it, ask someone to replace you while you’re away.
Extinguish it if you must before you completely leave the place. Many think that tiny flames are harmless, however, they can potentially be extremely dangerous and may jeopardize your safety.
According to some statistics, almost-extinguished flames have been the reason why the United States has experienced some severe wildfires. That’s why you should pour some water over live embers before you go to bed.
9. Put Sand To Protect The Bottom From The Heat
If you are worried that the bottom of the fire pit will experience some heat-related problems, then you should place a thin layer of sand on it. Why is that? Well, it’s because it acts as an insulator and decreases the amount of heat to which the bottom is exposed.
If you want to further enhance your protection, then you can freely add some lava rocks over the sand. Once you add all of this, you can then build fires in your pit by utilizing kiln dried firewood. It’s worth mentioning that neither lava rocks nor sand are going to protect you from corrosion or rusting.
So if you want to make sure your fire pit is secured to the maximum (from corrosion and rusting) you should always keep it dry. When moisture piles up on the metal surface of the pit, oxidation is going to happen which leads to either corroding or rusting.
10. Accomplish Neighborhood Fame
Who doesn’t want to be popular among neighbors, especially if you’re fond of them? So do you like to go to other people’s homes whenever they are throwing a party? If the answer is yes, then you should consider being a host sometimes.
Holiday parties, special events, date nights, cookouts are all special occasions that can be further enhanced by your fire pit. Moreover, you can also add more value to the place you live in by placing a lovely fire pit.
People often recommend a built-in model that can even be a selling point once you decide to sell your house. This is something that is going to attract potential buyers and will surely speed up the process.
11. Swimming Pool And Fire Pit
If by any chance you own a swimming pool, you should definitely keep the sitting area far away from the splashing spots. A lot of experts think that it would be smart to utilize various, high-quality flooring materials that are going to help you keep the fit pit area as far away as possible. For instance, the concrete flooring placed under the fire pit area is quite sturdy and lasting while the lawn functions are pretty segued to the pool.
12. Have Fun!
We have listed so many rules and suggestions, but certainly, one of the most important things when it comes to this (or in general) is to have fun. There are so many ways you can do it, only if you’re creative enough.
For instance, the fire, along with the shadow and flames, provides an amazing setting for any mystery game. You can involve a murder or kidnapping into your story. On the other hand, if you are into scary stories, you can come up with something interesting and spooky.
This is especially entertaining if kids are involved, right? If none of these ideas seem appropriate, then maybe you should consider playing card or board games, or even throw a spectacular dance party for both children and adults. As you can see, there are countless things you can do.
13. What About Indoor Fire Pit?
If you live in a place where it’s frequently cold, especially at night, then you are probably not too excited about the outdoor fire pit. Still, it shouldn’t stop you from acquiring one. You can enjoy the pit nights even indoors.
Who doesn’t love the sound of a crackling fire? If you share your love for it, then you should definitely obtain an indoor fire pit. If you consider yourself to be creative, then you can even design a glass-encased fire pit that is safe and at the same time portable.
Most people enjoy a cozy, warm fire season, especially if it’s in their own backyard. As you can see there are a couple of things you can do before and after you get your own fire pit, so make sure to go through this article carefully and you’ll do just fine!