As the colder evenings start to roll in, there’s no better way to heat your garden than with an outdoor fire pit. A fire pit is a great way of providing warmth, relaxation or even cooking to be enjoyed with family and friends.
Not only will a fire pit heat your outdoor space but it will enable you to make use of your patio and create a main centrepiece for creating long lasting memories without forgetting that it’ll improve any homes garden aesthetic.
If you’re unsure about how to light the wood or worried about using your fire pit incorrectly then read our how-to guide and follow our tips on starting a fire below. We will take you through a step by step guide on how to light an outdoor fire pit safely in the correct way.
Tips for lighting safely
1. Placement in open space
Fire pits get very hot and can reach temperatures of over 400°, it is essential for placement to be in an open space away from any combustible materials such as overhanging trees and fences.
Depending on how large your pit may be it can often be good practice for a minimum distance of 1.5 metres from the sides of the fireplace to any combustible surfaces and materials.
Floor plates and non-combustible materials such as bricks, concrete, rock or stone should only be used for your fire pit to be placed on top of.
The ground should be flat, solid and a stable surface to ensure that your fire pit will not move whilst it is lit. It may seem like a good idea to screw or bolt your fire pit down, however this is not the case as in the event of an emergency the pit will need to be moved. The weight of the fire pit alone should keep the pit grounded.
Never move or touch the fireplace when it is lit. After use, let it cool for some time before touching it.
Tip: Check with your neighbours before placing your fire pit as smoke, debris and smells can become a nuisance.
2. Well seasoned, dry wood
Clean wood that complies to Woodsure that isnt hazadous.
Start by gathering your dry seasoned wood. Your wood should be under 12% moisture content and be from a reputable seller that is Wood Sure registered. The Wood Sure mark should be visible on the packaging unless bought from a wood yard where you will need to ask them for this registration. Use an axe to chop your wood up into 6 inch long kindling pieces. This kindling can be bought from a shop also and is the best way to start a fire.
The best wood for burning on a fire pit is Ash. It produces a steady flame and a good heat output with little smoke as it has a low water. It can be also burnt when green but should always be seasoned for the best results.
You want wood that will not damage your outdoor fire.
3. Fire starters
We would recommend the following for starting a fire safely.
When starting a fire you should be confident in your actions and make sure you don’t get burnt by moving swiftly with your actions.
4. Safety apparatus
When lighting a fire pit great caution should be undertaken.
Fire pit accessories can be used to such as a firescreen, long safety matches gloves and utencils
Gloves should be worn at all times when using operating your fire pit to avoid injury. Burns are very common when using a fireplace as fire is very unpredictable.
Firescreens are very handy as they prevent sparks and smoke from jumping out of the fire. They’re also good for preventing little fingers from entering the hot mouth of a fire.
Children and pets should also be careful when around a fire pit as it can get very hot and they may not be aware of the dangers.
5. Extinguishing the fire
The fire should be left to fully burn out and cool down before it is left unattended. This is due to the fact that the wood embers can spontaneously re-ignite after use.
A bucket of water should be on hand at all times, this can be used to extinguish a fire safely after it has been lit.
How to light a fire pit
Essential tools and materials you will require:
1x Fire pit
1x Fire lighter (Kerosene lighters, wood shavings or wool)
14x Dry seasoned kindling (Pine wood)
10x Dry seasoned firewood (Ash wood)
1x Safety matches
1x Disposable lighter (optional)
1x Flint and steel (optional)
1x Axe (if required)
1x Poker utencils
1x Gloves (optional)
1x Bucket of water
Time needed: 10 minutes
In this guide we will show you how to light a fire pit safely in the correct way.
Gather your materials
You will require a fire pit, a fire lighter, dry seasoned kindling, dry seasoned firewood and a lighter to ignite your fire. Gather these materials and place them closeby to your firepit so that they are on hand for when you need them.
Chop your wood with an axe
Find a flat and stable surface to chop your wood. Make sure that your axe is sharp before chopping, this is actually safer than a blunt one. Place your wood log in an upright position on the floor and use a long piece of wood to keep the log steady so that your fingers are well out of reach of the chopping area.
Be confident and take a big vertical swing up and then directly down onto the top of the wood. You will require about 10 small pieces of kindling about an inch thick. Your logs should be chopped four times as thick with a length of up to 40cm.
Arrange your kindling
Start by laying your chopped wood kindling in a Jengar tower arrangement and build to around 5-6 levels tall, leaving sufficient air gaps so the fire can breathe (See picture below). After this, place a natural fire lighter in the centre of the tower at the bottom. Optionally balls of newspaper can be added to increase the chances of a good light.
Light your fire lighter
Strike a safety match, use a disposable lighter or even flint and steel to be very authentic to ignite the fire lighter and newspaper balls at the bottom of the kindling tower. When lit, stand well clear of the fire as it will become very hot, very quickly. Your fire may spit and produce smoke which you should be cautious of.
Maintain your fire
Using gloves, add up to 10 pieces of kindling after two minutes and 3-4 wood logs 10-30 minutes after that. You should maintain your fire by topping up your fire every 30-45 minutes. This will be based on your own judgement as every fire will burn and react differently overtime. If your fire is looking too hot reduce the fuel that you feed it.
A poker can be used to keep your fire under control. If the fire has started to die down you can use a blower on the bottom of the fire to add more oxygen which will get it going again.
Putting your fire out
You should allow your fire pit to cool down gradually. However, it can be sometimes necessary to put out your fire instantly. This could be because of an emergency or if you are going to leave your outdoor fire unattended. A bucket of water thrown into the centre of the fire will do just the job. All embers should be extinguished before leaving a fire pit as they could spontaneously ignite and become a fire hazard.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wood for a fire pit?
The best wood for burning on a fire pit is Ash. It produces a steady flame and a good heat output with little smoke as it has a low water. It can be also burnt when green but should always be seasoned for the best results.
How do you extinguish a fire pit?
The best way is to use a bucket of water being careful to not splash ignited embers away from the fire.
What is the cost of a fire pit?
You will typically be able to find a budget fire pit for under £100 although it will probably only last 1 season. Mid-range fire pits are more robust and vary from around £150-£500 with larger fire pits at £550+. Premium fire pits will cost around £800 normally due to their size, durability and design. Some more expensive fire pits include technology that provides smokeless warmth by circulating the air in a certain way.
How much heat will a fire pit produce?
A standard sized 500 x 500 mm sized fire pit will produce around 3-5kW of heat output dependant on how much and what you fuel it with. For larger fire pits, they will produce up to 12kW+ and reach temperatures of over 400°.
Where can I use a fire pit?
Fire pits can only be used outdoors and on private land in the UK. Some campsites and beaches may restrict the use of fire pits. It is best to look out for signage and ask you local council for the latest on restricted areas.
How to stop smoke from a fire pit?
Use dry, well seasoned logs only. Some fire pits are specifically designed to move the air to reduce the smoke spillage drastically. Do not choke the fire and allow it to breathe, never use leaves as fuel as they will produce lots of smoke.
How do you keep a fire pit going?
By regularly fuelling the fire with wood. It must be topped up and maintained every 10 minutes. Mka eyour own judgement whether more wood fuel needs to be added to the fire.
When is my fire pit ready for cooking on?
This depends whether you’re after direct flame or non direct flame cooking. As a rule of thumb, your food should be around 15cm from the fire and the fire should be simmering away without any bare flames touching the food.
How do you get a fire pit going again?
You stop a fire from going out by blowing at the bottom of the fire with your mouth. A few blows should provide enough oxygen for the fire to re-ignite and get going again. Be careful when performing this action as you will have to get close to the fire.
How to light an outdoor fire pit
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
As the colder evenings start to roll in, there’s no better way to heat your garden than with an outdoor fire pit. A fire pit is a great way of providing warmth, relaxation or even cooking to be enjoyed with family and friends.
Not only will a fire pit heat your outdoor space but it will enable you to make use of your patio and create a main centrepiece for creating long lasting memories without forgetting that it’ll improve any homes garden aesthetic.
If you’re unsure about how to light the wood or worried about using your fire pit incorrectly then read our how-to guide and follow our tips on starting a fire below. We will take you through a step by step guide on how to light an outdoor fire pit safely in the correct way.
Tips for lighting safely
1. Placement in open space
Fire pits get very hot and can reach temperatures of over 400°, it is essential for placement to be in an open space away from any combustible materials such as overhanging trees and fences.
Depending on how large your pit may be it can often be good practice for a minimum distance of 1.5 metres from the sides of the fireplace to any combustible surfaces and materials.
Floor plates and non-combustible materials such as bricks, concrete, rock or stone should only be used for your fire pit to be placed on top of.
The ground should be flat, solid and a stable surface to ensure that your fire pit will not move whilst it is lit. It may seem like a good idea to screw or bolt your fire pit down, however this is not the case as in the event of an emergency the pit will need to be moved. The weight of the fire pit alone should keep the pit grounded.
Never move or touch the fireplace when it is lit. After use, let it cool for some time before touching it.
Tip: Check with your neighbours before placing your fire pit as smoke, debris and smells can become a nuisance.
2. Well seasoned, dry wood
Clean wood that complies to Woodsure that isnt hazadous.
Start by gathering your dry seasoned wood. Your wood should be under 12% moisture content and be from a reputable seller that is Wood Sure registered. The Wood Sure mark should be visible on the packaging unless bought from a wood yard where you will need to ask them for this registration. Use an axe to chop your wood up into 6 inch long kindling pieces. This kindling can be bought from a shop also and is the best way to start a fire.
The best wood for burning on a fire pit is Ash. It produces a steady flame and a good heat output with little smoke as it has a low water. It can be also burnt when green but should always be seasoned for the best results.
You want wood that will not damage your outdoor fire.
3. Fire starters
We would recommend the following for starting a fire safely.
When starting a fire you should be confident in your actions and make sure you don’t get burnt by moving swiftly with your actions.
4. Safety apparatus
When lighting a fire pit great caution should be undertaken.
Fire pit accessories can be used to such as a firescreen, long safety matches gloves and utencils
Gloves should be worn at all times when using operating your fire pit to avoid injury. Burns are very common when using a fireplace as fire is very unpredictable.
Firescreens are very handy as they prevent sparks and smoke from jumping out of the fire. They’re also good for preventing little fingers from entering the hot mouth of a fire.
Children and pets should also be careful when around a fire pit as it can get very hot and they may not be aware of the dangers.
5. Extinguishing the fire
The fire should be left to fully burn out and cool down before it is left unattended. This is due to the fact that the wood embers can spontaneously re-ignite after use.
A bucket of water should be on hand at all times, this can be used to extinguish a fire safely after it has been lit.
How to light a fire pit
Essential tools and materials you will require:
Time needed: 10 minutes
In this guide we will show you how to light a fire pit safely in the correct way.
You will require a fire pit, a fire lighter, dry seasoned kindling, dry seasoned firewood and a lighter to ignite your fire. Gather these materials and place them closeby to your firepit so that they are on hand for when you need them.
Chop your wood with an axe
Find a flat and stable surface to chop your wood. Make sure that your axe is sharp before chopping, this is actually safer than a blunt one. Place your wood log in an upright position on the floor and use a long piece of wood to keep the log steady so that your fingers are well out of reach of the chopping area.
Be confident and take a big vertical swing up and then directly down onto the top of the wood. You will require about 10 small pieces of kindling about an inch thick. Your logs should be chopped four times as thick with a length of up to 40cm.
Arrange your kindling
Start by laying your chopped wood kindling in a Jengar tower arrangement and build to around 5-6 levels tall, leaving sufficient air gaps so the fire can breathe (See picture below). After this, place a natural fire lighter in the centre of the tower at the bottom. Optionally balls of newspaper can be added to increase the chances of a good light.
Light your fire lighter
Strike a safety match, use a disposable lighter or even flint and steel to be very authentic to ignite the fire lighter and newspaper balls at the bottom of the kindling tower. When lit, stand well clear of the fire as it will become very hot, very quickly. Your fire may spit and produce smoke which you should be cautious of.
Maintain your fire
Using gloves, add up to 10 pieces of kindling after two minutes and 3-4 wood logs 10-30 minutes after that. You should maintain your fire by topping up your fire every 30-45 minutes. This will be based on your own judgement as every fire will burn and react differently overtime. If your fire is looking too hot reduce the fuel that you feed it.
A poker can be used to keep your fire under control. If the fire has started to die down you can use a blower on the bottom of the fire to add more oxygen which will get it going again.
Putting your fire out
You should allow your fire pit to cool down gradually. However, it can be sometimes necessary to put out your fire instantly. This could be because of an emergency or if you are going to leave your outdoor fire unattended. A bucket of water thrown into the centre of the fire will do just the job. All embers should be extinguished before leaving a fire pit as they could spontaneously ignite and become a fire hazard.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The best wood for burning on a fire pit is Ash. It produces a steady flame and a good heat output with little smoke as it has a low water. It can be also burnt when green but should always be seasoned for the best results.
The best way is to use a bucket of water being careful to not splash ignited embers away from the fire.
You will typically be able to find a budget fire pit for under £100 although it will probably only last 1 season. Mid-range fire pits are more robust and vary from around £150-£500 with larger fire pits at £550+. Premium fire pits will cost around £800 normally due to their size, durability and design. Some more expensive fire pits include technology that provides smokeless warmth by circulating the air in a certain way.
A standard sized 500 x 500 mm sized fire pit will produce around 3-5kW of heat output dependant on how much and what you fuel it with. For larger fire pits, they will produce up to 12kW+ and reach temperatures of over 400°.
Fire pits can only be used outdoors and on private land in the UK. Some campsites and beaches may restrict the use of fire pits. It is best to look out for signage and ask you local council for the latest on restricted areas.
Use dry, well seasoned logs only. Some fire pits are specifically designed to move the air to reduce the smoke spillage drastically. Do not choke the fire and allow it to breathe, never use leaves as fuel as they will produce lots of smoke.
By regularly fuelling the fire with wood. It must be topped up and maintained every 10 minutes. Mka eyour own judgement whether more wood fuel needs to be added to the fire.
This depends whether you’re after direct flame or non direct flame cooking. As a rule of thumb, your food should be around 15cm from the fire and the fire should be simmering away without any bare flames touching the food.
You stop a fire from going out by blowing at the bottom of the fire with your mouth. A few blows should provide enough oxygen for the fire to re-ignite and get going again. Be careful when performing this action as you will have to get close to the fire.