Build A Backyard Fire Pit

Backyard fire pits are popular, but...

1. Always have a fire extinguisher handy whenever you're dealing with an open flame.

2. Keep your fire pit off of your deck, at least 15 feet from your home and away from any low-hanging branches.

3. Make sure the flame is a reasonable size.

4. Never let your child near a fire pit without adult supervision and never leave your fire pit unattended.

5. Once you're done with your pit, be certain that the fire is completely extinguished and no hot embers remain.

SIOUX CITY -- Lisa Nordstrom had no idea her retired dad was such a trend setter.

"My dad likes to call himself a 'Q Tip' because he has white hair, wears white tennis shoes and spends his winters in Texas," Nordstrom explained. "One of the things he loves in Texas is that everybody has a backyard fire pit."

Commercially built fire pits -- traditionally screened-in metal devices with wheels that are operated with wood or propane -- are becoming increasingly popular in the Midwest, according to Nordstrom, a sales associate in Bomgaars' seasonal department.

"I guess 'snow birds,' like my dad, want the warmth of a fire in their backyards," she said. "That's why we sell a lot of 'em."

In fact, Nordstrom has metallic fire pits, fire rings that can be buried into the ground and fire bowls that can sit as a centerpiece on a backyard table.

"There's something about an open fire that makes an outdoor party feel warm and elegant," she said.

Unfortunately, an open fire produced by a fire pit can pose a danger.

In March 2011, a Moville, Iowa home was destroyed after lingering flames from a fire pit set the house on fire.

Although commercially produced fire pits, fireplaces and chimineas used for social gatherings are legal in Sioux City, Sioux City Fire Rescue's Joe Rodriguez said there are some restrictions.

"Having a fire pit on the deck of a home is a violation of a city ordinance," he said. "So is burning leaves on a fire pit."

Leaving a fire pit unattended or using them when winds are in excess of 15 mph may also pose safety risks, Rodriguez said before adding that fire calls or complaints regarding fire pits in Sioux City have been "infrequent."

Nordstrom is aware of safety concerns and she makes her customers aware of them.

"I tell them to make sure that the fire pit is at least 15 feet away from their homes to ensure they are safe," she said.

The Backyard Fire Pit is Great for Entertaining | MLB Digital ...

There are many diverse items you can use for patio cooking. There are propane or charcoal grills, custom brick grills, you will find smokers, compact electric grills utilized for camping, or just a campfire, and you will find also backyard fire pits.

Grills could be pricey and need frequent cleanup. Smokers are excellent for barbecue but cook really slowly. Smaller camping grills simply really don't possess the ability to cook adequate food for entertaining. A campfire not having a pit could be unsafe and is just not allowed in quite a few cities.

One advantage of fire pits is you can set one up really easily. Believe it or not, quite a few people can accomplish it on their own with simple components like brick or stone and a cast iron frame. You could possibly also put one together with an inexpensive kit. Just stick to the directions from your kit or search for do it yourself projects online.

These pits are generally an excellent spot to entertain close friends and family. On a cool evening you can simply sit close to the fire and talk, you can roast marshmallows and make s'mores, or make use of it for cooking. A correctly built pit delivers all of the entertainment value of a campfire while still being safe in residential locations.

There are accessories obtainable for pits that enable you to cook, rotisserie, and grill over a pit. With these accessories you can cook various meats, kabobs, and anything else that a grill can do. Switching the wood or charcoal you use can additionally quickly alter the flavor of the meat that you are cooking in a pit.

Outdoor fire pits present a chance for close friends and family to devote time together enjoying a fire without having to go camping. Camping out is an effortless and fun way to get away for a weekend but you will find advantages to staying home.

You possibly can get together for a couple of hours in the middle of the weak, you will not must purchase camping supplies when staying home, you don't have to drive numerous hours to locate a good campsite, and you don't have to pay for any passes or other fees.

Camping out is a great way to get together and enjoy a warm fire. Unfortunately it is just not always feasible to get away. Grilling is a great way to cook certain meats and vegetables but is just not the same as an open fire. These fire pits present the best of both worlds for people wanting to entertain in their backyards.

Looking for the perfect outdoor gas fire pit for your patio? Check out my article on choosing a fire pit cover .

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