Snuggling into your loved ones in front of an outdoor fire pit and putting the world to rights is a wonderful way to decompress. Today, fire pits come in so many different sizes and shapes, meaning it’s important to set yours up in the right way. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to explain how best to use your fire pit, so you can bring the guitar and marshmallows and ensure it’s a social occasion to remember!
Safety first
Deciding on where to locate your fire pit is of the utmost importance. It needs to be far enough away from your house so the smoke doesn’t enter your property but not too close to overhanging branches, flowers, and fences, which could pose a fire hazard if things get out of hand. Choosing an open area near the back of your garden is your best bet, as it’s a safe location and means you don’t need to worry about the direction of the smoke.
Look for the right fire starters and kindling
One of the toughest things about using a fire pit is getting it started in the first place. So, to improve your chances of success, you need to invest in the right kindling and fire starters. Homefire’s (Wool Wool) Twizlers are 100% natural firelighters and are completely chemical-free. When you add them to your fire, they are also completely odourless, meaning you don’t have to deal with a horrible smell, as is the case with some firelighters. Your next job is to pick up the right fuel to sustain your fire, as we explain below.
Choose the right fuel
The government announced a ban on the burning of wet wood and coal at home in May 2021, emphasising the importance of choosing the right fuel for your fire. So, when you’re looking for a fuel source for your fire, you need to make sure that it is legal and suitable. Homefire’s kiln-dried firewood ticks both boxes and has a moisture content of less than 20%, ensuring it burns long and bright throughout the night. You can also pair kiln-dried wood with heat logs, which are made from compressed wood and are 100% natural. In other words, choosing natural, sustainable, and dry wood for your fire pit will help your fire roar long into the night.
Keep things under control
Once you light your fire, you have a responsibility to keep things under control. Instead of mindlessly adding logs to make your fire bigger, focus on adding fuel only when the fire needs it and keep things confined to the pit itself. If you ignore the size of your fire and get carried away, things could get out of control pretty quickly. After all, it just takes a sudden gust of wind to put your guests in danger, so make sure you’re sensible when it comes to building and maintaining your fire.
Extinguish the fire safely
At the end of the night, make sure you take the necessary steps to extinguish your fire safely. Before you go to bed, let the flames die right down to embers before adding water to the pit. Another option is to shovel some sand and dirt over the embers, which is a good option if you don’t want to use water. Either way, just make sure you put out the fire before heading to bed.
Inviting your friends for an evening around the fire pit in your back garden is a wonderful way to catch up and share stories. So, we hope you can use these tips to have a truly memorable experience with your home fire pit and are inspired to enjoy many more evenings around a fire in the near future.
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