Tips and Safety Guidelines for Using a Fire Pit

As summer approaches, the days get longer and the nights more brilliant. We find ourselves spending more and more time outdoors. This is the best time of year. We start up our fire pits and enjoy star-studded nights around a fire with our family and friends. The temperatures are getting warmer and fun is in the air. But first, you will need to take into consideration some planning and safety.

Safety and Planning

• Place your fire pit at least 10 feet away from a building.
• Have a water source available in case of flying timbers to put out at the end of the night.
• If you already have a great fire pit. Clean it out for the season. Put your ash in your garden. Your plants will love the nutrients the ash will bring. Patch it up if it needs repaired and read on.
• If you are new to fire pitting, you will need to buy or build your fire pit. The size of a fire pit is important. Based on the size of your yard or space will determine how big or small you should go. If you have a small yard or patio you may want to consider a portable metal fire pit.
• A built-in pit may be your answer if you have a large lot and room to spread out. Landscape blocks are available and make a great fire pit in the round. You can build any size you want, depending on the area that you have to use. If available, you can dig a hole and use large rocks to outline the pit.

Building Your Fire

Collect different sizes of wood to start your fire. The progression is quite simple. Start with tinder such as twigs, dry leaves, or grass. Next, you will need kindling. Larger sticks that are well seasoned, dead wood that you find on the ground. Once the fire is burning you will want to add large pieces of wood, the size of a baseball bat or larger.

• Start with some paper, twigs, and a few dry leaves in the middle of the pit.
• Using kindling to create a teepee-like or basket weave shape with your wood. Working the larger pieces of wood around the kindling. Be sure to allow space between each piece to allow air to circulate throughout.
• Start your fire.
• As tinder and kindling catch fire, add larger pieces to the fire, again in the teepee or basket weave style.
• Continue adding larger pieces to your fire as it burns down
• Once you have a well-established fire, it’s time to get out the marshmallow’s and call the kids.

We hope you enjoy a summer of fire pit fun

Look no further than Chimney Solutions Indiana! Since our very first customer, we have been committed to delivering the highest level of customer care and the most professional and reliable chimney and fireplace services. Our technicians are expertly trained and certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). There is no aspect of chimney or fireplace service, installation, repair, or troubleshooting we can’t help you with. Contact us today for an annual inspection, at (317) 757-6979.