Ever since the dawning of time, people have gathered with their families around fire pits. No matter if that pit was in a cave, outside or simply in their house, it was a place to cook food and find warmth during cold days. Today, a situation with homeowning has changed a bit, but the purpose of fire pits has remained unchanged. If you have a spaceous garden and are planning to build a patio in it, then you should consider building an outdoor gas fire pit. Outdoor fire pits are perfect for creating warm ambiance so close to your home. However, there are some things you should think in advance: whether you want wood or gas fire pit. Here is how to decide.
Fuel source: wood or gas?
Wood fire pits are more expensive, and not so sustainable because you will have to spend a lot of wood in them. On the other hand, gas fire pits require minimal work, little time and a few tools. You will not have to gather or buy wood for it, there is no stoking required. Also, they are more DIY-friendly, so it will take you almost moments to install one in your backyard. Types of gas can also be easily chosen: propane or natural gas. It all depends on your choice, and what is best about it is that you can switch from one to another. Additionally, gas fire pits are portable, so you can switch them from one place to another, which is a huge advantage especially if you want to keep them away from snow and rain during cold days. In the remaining of the text you will find everything you need in order to build an outdoor gas fire pit.
Materials
Before you decide on the materials, you should decide what kind of style you would like because they are mutually connected. The options are numerous: cauldron-style, chiminea, fire pit table, custom built fire pit, you name it. The materials they will require are the following: steel and cast iron, stainless steel, copper, or tile and stone. This variety of materials provides you with the freedom of choice, however keep in mind that stainless steel, for example is rust-proof, whereas on the other hand stone pits will be incredibly heavy, and less easy to maneuver and move. Thus, if you plan to keep your fire pit at one location, you can build it from stone, and if you plan to move it around, steel will be your best choice.
Location
The next most important thing to consider is the location. Location of an outdoor fire pit must be carefully chosen: keep in mind that there is no open source of fire or sparkle near it at all costs. This is important for safety reasons. Another thing you should watch for is that there is not tree or a branch above or near it, and no bushes on the ground near it, so that they do not catch fire. If you are planning to build your fire pit on a grassy area, do not forget to add a hard material or gravel underneath it. After all, safety comes first.
Steps in making a gas fire pit
Once you have chosen and found the materials needed, and found the right safe location, the next thing is to get to work. You should do the following:
- In order to connect the gas line, run it from its origin (wherever you plan to keep it) to the fire pit. Cut a hole in the bottom of the pit which will hold the gas pipe. Once you assemble the pipe in its place, run the line up the hole. This step is crucial so you can consider calling for a professional to either help you or do it for you.
- The next step is to install a burner pit. There are many kinds of Blazing Glass' burner pits: their size and measurements will depend on your needs and the size of the pit itself. It is also possible to find burners with burner kits, that include connecting pieces, which will help you in installing the gas line and making the whole process easier.
- Once you have connected the burner with the pit, the time has come to add finishing designs and test the pit. All the materials, including paint, should be flame-resistant.
