What is a Fire Pit?

A simple way to bring  warmth and joy to your outdoors

Think of a fire pit as a simple way of being able to enjoy a toasty fire anywhere you want. It's an open vessel-sometimes a ring-that can be used for warmth, beauty, atmosphere and cooking. Normally, just one style of fire pit won't serve all these functions.

A fire pit is a smart alternative to what you might find at a rustic campground-a hole in the ground ringed with rocks. Many people, even those with vacation homes in the woods, don't want an unsightly-and sometimes dangerous-ring of rocks around dirt.

That's why even owners of large campgrounds will make a small investment in a simple steel fire ring, a type of fire pit. Although there are as many styles of fire pits as one can imagine, they all generally fall into one of three categories:

Fire Pit - The standard style, these are bowls or square containers that stand off the ground on short legs, used as a part of an outdoor table, or as built-in patio decor. Outdoor fire pits come in many different sizes and shapes. The materials the fire pits are made out of can vary from lots of different metals, like copper, iron, steel and more. Some fire pits use wood or charcoal as fuel, while others run on propane or natural gas.

Fire Ring - Think of a fire ring as similar to a campfire. A fire ring is a type of outdoor fire pit that surrounds a fire with forged metal. This metal ring keeps the fire contained and safe while giving you all the ambiance of a raging campfire. One major benefit of a fire ring is that it serves as a portable (and safe) campfire in almost any outdoor environment. Camping somewhere without a built-in, stone pit? With a fire ring, you can bring the campfire to the campsite.

Chimineas - Chimineas are outdoor fire pits that add elegance and grandeur to any backyard or patio setting. Similar to a miniature fireplace, complete with chimney, they look like old-fashioned stoves and come in a variety of styles. Models range from contemporary, minimalist grace to old-fashioned chimineas with ornate Asian or baroque detailing. A chiminea is a fire pit that makes a bold statement, yet still retains all the wonderful functionality of simpler fire pits.

Whichever style you decide on, you'll love the crackling fire, cozy ambience and charming magnificence of a fire pit, fire ring, or chiminea.

More information on fire pits