Outdoor Fireplaces
Your outdoor fireplace options
An evening chill doesn’t have to bring an early end to your summer nights. Take a lesson from the past and warm up with a fire in your backyard. Learn about outdoor fireplace options and don’t get chased indoors by the cold again.
Outdoor Fireplace Designs
There are various outdoor fireplace designs to choose from depending on the size and complexity you are looking for. An outdoor fireplace may burn wood or gas and can be as elaborate as a typical indoor fireplace with a firebox and chimney.
When choosing a design, you should consider maintenance requirements, safety conditions and portability. If the fireplace you purchase doesn’t have all of the features you need, you can also buy additional fireplace accessories, such as screens and spark arrestors, to increase the functionality and safety of your outdoor fireplace.
Alternatives to the Traditional Fireplace
If you prefer a simpler design or want to achieve a rustic look, there are great alternatives to the traditional fireplace:
Outdoor Wood Stoves
As one of the safest options, outdoor wood stoves are a popular form of fireplace that relies on a boiler system to generate heat. However, outdoor wood stoves often produce excessive smoke, so they may require significant space to air out.
Chimineas
Chimineas are Mexican open-fire clay stoves used as outdoor heaters in the United States. Typically, they burn wood, and in some cases charcoal, but a lighting fluid should never be used with a chiminea for safety purposes.
Chimineas are extremely fragile and should be protected with a sealant to prevent cracking. They should be kept out of the rain if possible, and the internal fire should be contained to a reasonable size. It is easy for an uncontrolled fire to cause problems, especially if the grass and leaves in your backyard are extremely dry.
For a more durable selection, consider cast iron chimineas, which can endure weather changes and contain spark arrestors to prevent flying sparks from causing fires in your backyard.
Fire Pits
Traditional fire pits are shallow holes dug into the ground and surrounded by stones to contain a burning fire, but there are also portable models that use a raised basin. You can purchase one that burns wood or gas, or construct your own with only a shovel, measuring tools, gravel and a paving material.
To begin, choose the size of your pit and mark a circular area with the stones, making a line around the shape with the shovel. Remove the stones and dig the trench in the area you marked (about 1 foot deep), making sure to create a level surface. To assemble the walls, fill in the outer edge of the trench with a layer of pea gravel and cover it with at least two rows of the selected paving material. Now you can fill the entire pit with gravel and finish it off by adhering the top blocks to the pit wall. When you’re done, you’ll have your very own stone or brick fire pit to keep you warm on cool nights.
Whatever method you choose for warming your outdoor space, remember to research local restrictions on backyard fires and outdoor fireplaces before you begin.
