How to Select and Use an Outdoor Fireplace?

Answer 1

An outdoor fireplace is one of the most enjoyable way to spend an evening in the backyard with friends and family. Outdoor fireplaces come in all kinds of shapes and styles and some burn wood, while others burn propane or natural gas. The fireplaces can be permanently attached to the yard or they can be simple chimineas even a pit dug into the ground and lined with sand and firebricks. One thing is certain with outdoor fireplaces, however. They are a fun way to spend a cool afternoon or evening.

Before people decide on what kind of outdoor fireplace will work for them, they should contact their local jurisdiction to see what kinds of regulations they have for outdoor fires. In some towns and cities, the air quality laws may restrict outdoor burning when the air quality is bad. Since propane and natural gas burn cleanly, people who live in areas with air pollution problems might get more use out of these types of outdoor fireplaces.

People in rural areas or who live in wooded areas can access firewood quickly and possibly inexpensively, so it makes sense for them to opt for wood burning fireplaces. These fireplaces also make it possible for people to cook food in them if they have a grate far enough off the coals and use untreated wood.

An outdoor fireplace should be located away from combustible surfaces, and if homes are close by, using a spark arrestor on top of the chimney will qualm the neighbors’ fears of fire, especially if they have a shake roof. Keeping a working water hose connected to a spigot is also a good idea just in case some dry landscaping catches fire.

Outdoor fireplaces can be built by hand or purchased commercially. Local retail specialty stores sell them as do websites where the selection may be larger. When people build their own, they typically line the burning chamber with firebricks that will withstand high temperatures without cracking. The fireplace will have to dry before it is used so the water in the materials will not expand and crack the fireplace. Just as newly constructed brick fireplaces need a breaking in period, so do the clay and metal chimineas until they are tempered so they don’t crack.