Firepit question

[korchiki]

Thinking about getting a fire pit for the deck. Is there anything that I should be aware of when looking into options?

Any brands you can recommend?

Ideally looking to spend $100-200 for a nice, basic firepit.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[DA-Bucks]

Is it a wood deck? Be sure to put a mat underneath it (like one for a grill). I never bought a free standing one, but I built one from manufactured stone in my back yard, it's pretty sweet and worth the work/investment. I have no idea if a chimney style or a typical bowl would be better. I guess it depends on your placement and how many people you'd typically get out there.

 

[CleveBucks]

Definitely some type of mat below, if it's on a wood deck. Also a lot of them recommend putting a small layer of sand in the bottom to help absorb the heat below.

 

[gregorylee]

Is it a wood deck? Be sure to put a mat underneath it (like one for a grill). I never bought a free standing one, but I built one from manufactured stone in my back yard, it's pretty sweet and worth the work/investment. I have no idea if a chimney style or a typical bowl would be better. I guess it depends on your placement and how many people you'd typically get out there.

Having had both kinds, there are pros and cons. The chimny type is good because it gets the smoke above head level so you don't have to keep moving to avoid it. The bowl ones seem to have a more homey campfire apeal.

 

[Muck]

Is it a wood deck? Be sure to put a mat underneath it (like one for a grill). I never bought a free standing one, but I built one from manufactured stone in my back yard, it's pretty sweet and worth the work/investment. I have no idea if a chimney style or a typical bowl would be better. I guess it depends on your placement and how many people you'd typically get out there.

Definitely some type of mat below, if it's on a wood deck. Also a lot of them recommend putting a small layer of sand in the bottom to help absorb the heat below.

One of the old school recommendations for wood burning stoves was to build a sandbox underneath that is at least one foot wider than the stove on all sides. The extra width helps catch any sparks/embers. For something outside fine gravel with plenty of drainage for rain would work just as well.

And if you have vinyl siding be sure to keep it far away from the house (which you should do anyways but most other wall coverings don't melt).