Author: Brent Williamson

How much time do you spend outdoors? Many homeowners prefer the cool breeze and open environment of their patio over lounging in the living room. If this sounds familiar, you should consider the following additions to enhance your home’s outdoor living space.

Fire Pit

Fire pits are among the most popular additions to outdoor living spaces, and for good reason: they provide a relaxing ambiance and social-friendly ambiance, while also generating heat in the process. When the cool winter temperatures arrive, you can still enjoy your outdoor living space thanks to the warmth provided by your fire pit.

BBQ

According to a recent Houzz Landscaping Trends study, 48% of homeowners are adding BBQs to their backyard. Of course, you really don’t need a BBQ if you have a fire pit, as it performs the same function. Using either BBQ or fire pit, you can cook grill steaks, smoke meats and more. Of the two, however, a fire pit is probably the better choice. It performs even more functions than a standalone BBQ, making it the smarter investment for homeowners.

Fountains

Another trending addition to outdoor living spaces is a fountain. Outdoor fountains offer a new level of aesthetics that’s not found in traditional decorations. The sights and sounds of flowing water reduces stress while promoting a more relaxing environment in the process. Furthermore, fountains will catch pollen and dust, which is particularly useful for allergy sufferers come spring.

Ceiling Fans

While not an option in all outdoor living spaces, a ceiling fan is a fun and functional option for patios and decks. It helps to regulate the temperature, keeping guests cool and comfortable. A ceiling fan can also help to control mosquitoes and other flying pests.

Sound System

Of course, another popular addition to outdoor living spaces is a sound system. Instead of dragging your decades-old “boombox” out of storage, you can simply hit the switch to enjoy high-quality stereo sound on your patio or back deck. These stereo systems are integrated directly into the outdoor living space, featuring speakers and other components that are often hidden from plain sight. And depending on the particular model, you may even be able to use your stereo system as an intercom, communicating with family members and guests in other parts of your home.

Photo credit: Media Director

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Outdoor living has become an increasingly popular trend among homeowners and their families. Rather than staying cooped up indoors, more and more people are going outside to enjoy the fresh air and warm sunshine. But if you’re planning to create an outdoor living space on your property, you’ll want to invest in the right furniture. While there are countless options available, a recent survey has shed light on some of the most popular outdoor furniture purchases.

The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) released its findings from a 2015 survey, revealing which outdoor furniture as the most popular from 2015. According to the survey, chairs were the  single most popular outdoor furniture last year, with 39% of consumers surveyed saying they purchased at least one chair for their outdoor living space. Of course, that should come as no surprise given the importance of seating for patios, gardens, backyards and other outdoor living spaces. But there are other purchases on this survey that may surprise you.

Coming in at a close second on this survey was a fire pit. The AHFA found that 38% of consumers surveyed purchased a fire pit for their outdoor living space. Fire pits are the perfect addition for outdoor living spaces, providing homeowners with warmth, style, and a relaxing social-engaging atmosphere. For the price, it’s arguably one of the cheapest (and easiest) ways to enhance your outdoor living space.

There were other outdoor furniture purchases noted in the survey, however. 37% of consumers surveyed, for instance, admitted to buying a chaise lounge chair; 35% purchased a dining table; 35% purchased an umbrella; and 33% purchased lighting. These are all popular additions to outdoor living spaces, as noted in the AHFA’s 2015 survey.

Here are some tips on how to choose the right outdoor furniture:

• Stick with a single primary color, along with two or three secondary colors.
• Don’t mix brown and black. Going back to the basics of home decor 101, these two colors clash with one another, which is why it’s best to avoid this combination.
• Consider both aesthetics and comfort/function when choosing outdoor furniture.
• Choose furniture that’s waterproof and able to withstand the otherwise harsh outdoor elements.
• How much time (and work) does the furniture take to maintain? Most homeowners prefer low-maintenance furniture for their outdoor living spaces.
• Tables and benches with built-in storage are always a plus.

Photo credit: Colette Vogele

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No camping experience is complete without a fire. Whether you’re deep in the wilderness or enjoying backyard camping with your family, you should build a fire — and here’s why.

Produces Warmth

This alone should be reason enough to build a campfire. According to Reference.com, the average campfire reaches around 1,571 degrees Fahrenheit, which is more than enough to keep you and your fellow campers warm during an otherwise chilly fall/winter evening. Of course, you can control the temperature of your campfire — at least to some degree — by adding more firewood. More wood translates into a hotter flame.

Social Gathering

There’s a unique social aspect associated with campfires. Humans have been gathering around fires for thousands of years. Even today, we’re naturally drawn to fires, as it creates a social gathering point. You can enjoy the company of friend and family, sharing stories or simply relaxing. Just remember to bring enough chairs so that everyone can comfortably sit around your campfire.

Cooking

A third reason to build a campfire is for cooking. Using nothing more than a standup grill grate, you can cook everything from steaks and chicken to pork chops and smores. And if you really feel like taking your outdoor culinary skills to the next level, you can always bring pots, pans and other cookware on your camping trip.

Signal Beacon

One of the lesser-known benefits of building a campfire is the signal beacon it provides. If someone ventures away from the campsite in the middle of the night, he or she may have trouble finding their way back. If there’s a campfire burning, though, it will guide them back to the site.

Pest Repellent

There’s nothing more frustrating than being bombarded with mosquitoes when camping. These blood-sucking insects will hover over you, waiting for the right time to strike. One solution to protect against mosquitoes and similar airborne pests is to apply an insect repellent. However, campfires are equally as effective. Mosquitoes hate smoke, so burning a fire acts as a natural repellent.

Develop Survival Skills

Building a campfire also encourages the development of essential survival skills. While it’s doubtful that you’ll be rubbing two sticks together, you’ll still need to gather tinder, kindling and firewood, arranging it all in the appropriate fashion. When camping with children, you can show them exactly how to build a campfire and keep it going throughout the night.

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If you plan on inviting guests over for a party or outdoor gathering, you’ll want to keep them entertained — and there’s no better form of entertainment that games. For some ideas on easy-to-set-up backyard games, keep reading.

Badminton

Badminton is an all-around great outdoor game that requires nothing more than a new, a couple racquets, and a shuttlecock. While it can be played in large teams, most backyard games are played with two to four players. Badminton has origins dating back hundreds of years to British India. Even today, it has become an official sport for the Summer Olympics, featuring a total of five events. You can bring this game to your backyard by setting up a badminton net.

Ping Pong

Who says ping pong is an indoor sport? Granted, most people play it indoors, but you can still enjoy ping pong from the comfort of your backyard. As long you have a flat, paved area, you can set up a ping pong table to keep guests entertained. And if you’re worried about the price, check on Craigslist for a used table. With a little bit of luck, you can probably find a ping pong table for a fraction of its original cost.

Ring Toss

Arguably, one of the most simple outdoor games is ring toss. Players compete against each other to toss rings around a fixed peg. Pegs can be placed at any distance, making this is a versatile game that requires minimal space.

Horseshoes

Assuming you have the space, another fun backyard game is horseshoes. Played with two to four people, either 1 vs 1 or 2 vs 2, it involves tossing horseshoes at a fixed stake in the ground from roughly 40 feet. Players can score in one of two ways: by “ringing” the stake with the horseshoe to encircle it, or by tossing the horseshoe closest to the stake. A straightedge is used to settle disputes by touching two points at the end of the horseshoe.

Lawn Darts

Also known as “javelin darts,” lawn darts is a fun outdoor game that requires no prior experience or skill. A typical lawn dart set consists of four supersized darts, each of which is about 12 inches long and feature a weighted tip. Players toss the darts using an underhand throw in an attempt to land on a ground target.

Photo credit: Ashpet

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Smores are a classic campfire treat that people of all ages enjoy. The sweet chocolate paired with gooey marshmallow and crunchy graham crackers are perfect for outdoor parties and social gatherings. But there are other snacks that are equally, if not, more delicious. So if you’re tired of roasting smores night after night, perhaps you should try one of the following.

Banana Boats

No, I’m not talking about the big banana-shaped boats that float around beach coastlines. The banana boats I’m referring to are a fun take on the traditional smores. As shown in the photo to the left, this delightful treat combines bananas, chocolate and marshmallows. Simply cut a banana open lengthwise, stuff it full with marshmallow and chocolate, wrap it aluminum foil, and toss it on the grill for a few minutes.

Apple Cinnamon Treats

Who doesn’t love apple cinnamon? Using a paring knife (or any knife) cut an apple in half, remove a small amount of the fibrous material, and fill with brown sugar, oats, cinnamon and butter. You can then either place it directly on the grill or wrap in aluminum foil. Once cooked, you’ll have a deliciously flavored apple cinnamon treat that’s guaranteed to draw compliments from your guests.

Cinnamon Role Sticks

While we’re on the topic of cinnamon, let’s go ahead and cover cinnamon role sticks. As the name suggests, these are sticks of cinnamon rolls. Pick up a roll of your favorite cinnamon rolls from the local grocery store, pierce them with a skewer, and toss on the grill. Once cooked, remove from heat, add icing and enjoy!

Marshmallow-Filled Cones

Another fun alternative to smores is a marshmallow-filled ice cream cone, without the ice cream of course. Take a waffle cone (or any ice cream cone) and fill with mini marshmallows and fruit of your choosing. Some fruits that work well for this treat include strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Now wrap the cone in aluminum foil and grill on for a few minutes. The inside of the cone should turn into a sweet and fruity mixture. Although messy, this is a delicious treat that can be made in dozens of different ways.

These are just a few delicious alternatives to smores. Feel free to experiment with your own ingredients to see what treats you can come up with.

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I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but summer is officially over. But you don’t have to take your parties indoors just yet. With a little bit of work, you can prepare your outdoor living space for the fall season, creating the perfect environment for parties and social gatherings.

Rake Leaves and Pine Needles

With the transition from summer to fall comes lots of fallen leaves and pine needles, so much in fact that it may blanket your outdoor living space. Depending on where exactly you live, and the distance to nearby trees, you may want to rake the area to keep it clean. If raking sounds like too much work, you can always use a leaf blower to eliminate fallen leaves and pine needles. Just remember to keep the leaves on your property; otherwise, you may get a knock at your front door from an angry neighbor.

Provide Warmth

If you plan on hosting any outdoor parties, you’ll want to set up some heat source to keep guests warm and comfortable throughout the fall and winter seasons. There are a few different options when it comes to heating, one of which is a outdoor patio heater (yes, there are heater designed specifically for the outdoors). But if you really want to create a relaxing environment, a better option is a portable fire pit. Portable fire pits like those sold here at S&S Fire Pit offer warmth and a relaxing ambiance. And unlike a patio heater, you can even cook food on a portable fire pit.

Go Festive with the Decorations

There’s no better time than the fall season to update your outdoor living space with festive decorations. Halloween, for instance, is right around the corner, in which case you can decorate your outdoor living space with pumpkins, fake spider webs, skeleton bones, etc. Be warned, though, this may attract more trick-or-treaters to your home come October 31st, so stock up on the fun-sized candy bars before this spooky holiday arrives.

If Halloween isn’t your cup of tea, you can still embrace the fall season by decorating your outdoor living space with autumn colors. The folks over at HGTV have put together an excellent collection of patios and porches with some stylish seasonal fall decorations.

Photo credit: Rachael Titiriga

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Back yards offer the perfect location to host parties and social get-togethers. Before calling your buddies and asking them to come over, though, you’ll want to set up your back yard using the tips listed below.

Lighting

Being that most outdoor parties happen at night, you’ll need some source of lighting to illuminate your back yard. String lights, as shown in the photo to the left, is a fun alternative to traditional fixtures. And unlike traditional fixtures, you can install them in just minutes. Another idea is to set up tiki torches around your outdoor living spaces, which can double as insect-repellents when burning citronella fuel.

Stone Accents

If you’re willing to invest the necessary time and energy into this project, try using some stone accents in your back yard oasis. A limestone sidewalk, for instance, is a brilliant addition that’s sure to enhance your back yard. Guests will also appreciate this feature, as it allows them to traverse to and from your house without walking directly on the grass.

Go Green

Green plants and shrubs will help to create a more calming and relaxing outdoor environment. This is particularly true in southern states like Georgia and Florida where the sun stays hot throughout much of the year. And you can even grow plants in strategic areas to provide a natural source of shade.

Use Fire as a Focal Point

Ever social gathering area needs a focal point, and your back yard is no exception. While there are several different options from which to choose, fires offer the perfect focal point for social environments. According to this article published by Independent, humans have been using fires as a social focus for more than 300,000 years. Even today, fires are the perfect focal point for social environments, including outdoor living spaces. So if you’re looking to transform your back yard into a social oasis, set up a fire pit in the center.

Of course, you’ll also want to set up seating around your fire pit. Don’t just place a couple foldout chairs in front of the fire pit. Rather, you should create a circular shape of chairs, or other seating, surrounding the fire pit. This encourages people to converse amongst themselves while keeping the center of attention on the fire.

Photo credit: Rebecca Schley

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Outdoor living spaces offer the perfect environment for parties and social gatherings. And with the fall season right around the corner, more and more homeowners will be going outdoors to enjoy the mild weather. Unfortunately, though, not all outdoor living spaces are private. There are ways to create a more private outdoor area, some of which we’re going to discuss.

Privacy Fence

The most common privacy solution for outdoor living spaces is a fence. By constructing a fence around your outdoor living space, you’ll create a more private area. Some of the different materials from which privacy fences are made include wood, vinyl and brick. Choose a fence that’s large enough to conceal your outdoor living space, and preferably a material that flows with the rest of your home’s outdoor decor.

Also, remember to check with your homeowner’s association before building a privacy fence. If it’s against the rules, the association may ask you to remove it — or worse, they could fine you.

Privacy Enclosure

If building a fence sounds like too much work, perhaps you should use a privacy enclosure. Privacy enclosures offer the same privacy benefits as a fence, but they typically cost less and are easier to install than their counterpart.

While there are dozens of different types of privacy enclosures, most are temporary structures that are placed around a specific area. Not only are they cheaper than building a fence, but you can also take them with you if and when you decide to move.

Shrubs

Of course, another idea is to grow large shrubs or trees for privacy. Some homeowners prefer this option because it’s more natural looking. However, it also requires more maintenance, as you’ll have to prune away overgrown foliage and branches. If you’re willing to invest the time and work into maintaining it, privacy shrubs is a great choice for outdoor living spaces.

With an average growth height of 40 to 60″, the American Arborvitae is a great tree hedge for privacy. The evergreen shrub Nigra Arborvitae is another great choice, although it grows a bit shorter with average height of 30″. If you need help choosing privacy shrubs for your outdoor living space, visit a local plant nursery and ask for recommendations. They should be able to point you in the right direction.

Photo credit: Roxxane Sutton

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The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) conducted a recent study in which it found that 70% of households in the United States have an outdoor living space. And 70% of households with an outdoor living space use it at least once per week. If you’re late to the game and looking to create an outdoor space, you should ask the following questions when planning it.

Is there Protection from the Wind?

It’s a good idea to plan your outdoor living space in an area with some form of protection from the wind. Whether it’s a tree line, large rock, retaining wall or even the side of your home, you need some type of structure — natural or man-made — to protect against the wind. Once the wind starts blowing on a cold autumn or winter evening, it could quickly end your party.

How Many Guests Do I Need to Accommodate?

It’s doubtful that you’ll be the sole person enjoying your outdoor living space. Sure, you may escape here to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a drink in the evening, but you’ll probably use this space to host gatherings with friends and family. Therefore, you should determine about how many people will be using your outdoor living space. The more people who use it, the larger the space needs to be and the more seating you’ll need.

It is Convenient?

Ideally, your outdoor living space should be planned in a convenient, easily accessible area. If it’s a quarter of a mile walking distance from your home, you probably won’t be using it much. Plan you outdoor living space in an area where you, and your guests, can easily access it.

Does it Flow with the Existing Decor?

There’s nothing wrong with creating a unique style with your outdoor living space, but you should try to maintain a cohesive appearance that flows with the rest of your home’s outdoor decor. If you have neutral colors and rustic elements outdoors, perhaps you should follow a similar approach with your new outdoor living space.

Is it Safe to Build Fires?

Assuming you want to build fires outdoors, you should choose an appropriate, safe area. A good rule of thumb is to give yourself a minimum of 10 feet between your fire and any mad-made structure (such as your home). Furthermore, make sure there are no overhanging tree branches that could ignite from a stray ember.

Photo credit: Chris Ford

It’s that time of year again. No, I’m not talking about the beginning of the holiday shopping season; I’m talking about football. College football kicked off its 2016-2017 season on August 26, with the NFL scheduled to play its first game of the season on September 8.

Plan Games

Tailgating is all about relaxing in a social environment before the game begins. But if you plan on tailgating for any significant length of time, you should plan some games and activities to keep your group entertained. Bean bag toss (Cornhole) is a popular pastime for tailgating. All you need is a set of bean bags and a wooden cutout board, which are typically sold at most sporting goods stored. Of course, you can always bring a football to toss before the game as well.

Bring a Radio

In addition to games, you should also bring a radio. Sure, you can always listen to your car’s radio, but doing so may deplete your battery, forcing you to use jumper cables when you are ready to leave. So, bring a standalone radio for your tailgating party. You can listen to pre-game commentary or your favorite tunes (or both).

Don’t Forget the Fire Pit

Let’s face it, cold turkey sandwiches just aren’t as appetizing as a juicy, fresh-cooked burger or hot dog. If you plan on grilling out during your tailgating party, you’ll need to bring either a grill or fire pit. Doing so opens the doors to a whole new world of food choices. Rather than limiting yourself to cold foods, you can cook meats, vegetables or just about anything else.

Here are some tips for taking a fire pit tailgating:

• Identify areas where you can safely dispose of ashes. Most stadiums have designated areas for this. If you can’t find them, ask other tailgaters, because chances are someone knows where to dispose of ashes.
• Never leave your fire pit unattended. Even if there are dozens of other tialgaters around, someone needs to watch the fire pit at all times.
• Don’t use lighter fluid or gasoline to light your fire pit. Stick with basic kindling or tinder instead.
• Bring several foldout chairs so you and your friends can gather around the fire pit.
• Wait until your fire pit has cooled off before loading it back in your vehicle.
• Bring a grill brush, tongs and other grilling accessories.

Photo credit: k t

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Outdoor parties offer the perfect opportunity to unwind and kick back with your buddies. But if you’re faced with the task of hosting an outdoor party, you’ll want to make sure your guests are happy.

#1) Plan on the Weekend

While there are always exceptions to this rule, the weekend is typically the best time of week to host an outdoor party. Most people don’t work on the weekends, making it the ideal time for parties. You can still throw the occasional weekday party, but you can expect a larger turnout by hosting it on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

#2) Watch the Weather

You can’t control mother nature, but you keep your outdoor party going in the rain with a shelter. When choosing a location to host your party, look for some type of shelter. Maybe you have a large pavilion in your back yard, or perhaps you could set up a large tent. Regardless, you need some type of backup plan to keep guests comfortable and happy in case the weather turns south.

#3) Turn up the Tunes

There’s no better time than outdoor party to play some music. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on expensive stereo equipment. Rather, set up a cheap Bluetooth-enabled stereo and connect your smartphone to it. Guests can even play their own music by connecting their smartphone to the stereo. This is a fun way to create diverse music instead of hitting the repeat button on a single CD.

#4) Build a Fire

In addition to music, every outdoor party needs a fire. There’s just something naturally fun yet relaxing associated with fires. According to this study cited by Huffington Post, gathering around a fire can even lower your blood pressure. Of course, the real benefit of a fire is the social setting it offers. When you’re hosting an outdoor party, most people will instinctively gather around the fire, offering the perfect “hub” for your party.

#5) Plan Activities

Last but not least, plan some activities for your outdoor party. Horseshoes are a fun and inexpensive activity that guests of all ages will enjoy. You can buy a horseshoe game set for around $30 to $40 bucks, which is a small price to pay for the countless hours of enjoyment it offers. Alternatively, you can set up and play Cornhole, where two people or two teams attempt to toss a beanbag into a wooden cutout.

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Camping is a fun and rewarding pastime that’s enjoyed by millions of Americans every year. You can make your camping experience even better, however, by bringing a fire pit. However, there’s a right way and a wrong way to take a fire pit camping. So before you hit the trails, keep reading for some tips on how to camp with a fire pit.

Choose the Right Fire Pit

If you plan on taking a fire pit camping, you need to choose a model that’s easy to transport. Some of the large, bulky fire pits are designed to remain in place, making them a poor choice for camping. But smaller and more portable fire pits are ideal for camping and other outdoor excursions.

Should I Bring Firewood?

Well, it depends on where exactly you plan on camping, and whether there’s any suitable wood nearby. Most campsites have a plentiful supply of downed limbs, which you can chop up for use in your fire pit. But if you happen to choose a campsite with little-to-no wood, you’ll need to bring your own.  We always recommend buying or using local wood when possible so you don’t introduce foreign insects to the area.

Whether you intend to bring your own firewood or chop it down when you reach your campsite, you should still bring a lighter or box matches. Otherwise, you may find yourself rubbing two sticks together for hours trying to get a spark going.

Bring Seating

While you can always sit on the ground, foldout chairs offer a more comfortable seating solution. Bring at least one chair for every person camping, placing them in a circle around your fire pit.

Putting Out Your Fire Pit

Once you’re camping trip is over and you’re preparing to return back to the normal 9-to-5 grind, you should dump any remaining ashes into a small hole in the ground, pouring as much water over them to ensure they are fully extinguished. It’s also a good idea to make sure your fire pit has cooled off. Because placing a scorching-hot fire pit into your back seat or truck bed may damage nearby equipment.

Benefits of Camping with a Fire Pit

• Enhances the social experience of camping.
• Provides much-needed warmth during chilly fall and winter nights.
• You always have a suitable location for a fire; no need to worry about finding a place to build a fire.
• Fire pits are great for cooking.

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Both fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are a fun addition to any residential property. Before choosing one, however, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each. So today we’re going to take a closer look at fire pits vs outdoor fireplaces.

Cost

While the exact cost of fire pits and outdoor fireplaces vary depending on size, features, etc., you’ll typically find the latter are more expensive. According to Improvenet, the minimum cost of a professionally installed outdoor fireplace is around $1,400, while the maximum cost can easily exceed $20,000. Portable fire pits, on the other hand, cost around $300 to $700 on average.

Restrictions

Certain cities and counties may have restrictions regarding the construction of new outdoor fireplaces. While few places ban them altogether, many require homeowners to purchase special permits to construct outdoor fireplaces. It’s always a good idea to check with your city’s planning office before investing in an outdoor fireplace. If you choose a portable fire pit, however, this isn’t necessary.

Heat Radiance

Both portable fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are an excellent source of heat, keeping you and your guests comfortable deep into the night. But the problem with outdoor fireplaces is their restricted heat radiance. An outdoor fireplace only emits heat out through its front opening, whereas a portable steel fire pit radiates heat all around it. If you choose an outdoor fireplace, you and your guests will have to battle each other to stand in front of it. With a steel fire pit, everyone can gather around it without bumping elbows creating a more social atmosphere.

Cooking

Think an outdoor fireplace is better for cooking than a portable fire pit? Outdoor fireplaces can certainly be used for cooking, but a portable fire pit can also be used for cooking. In fact, some people may argue that fire pits are better for cooking since they are easier to access and control. And the right accessories can further enhance your fire pit cooking experience.

Portability

Portable fire pits are, well, portable. You can take them to your friend’s house, on camping trips, or pretty much anywhere else you desire. The same cannot be said for an outdoor fire place, however, as they are typically constructed into the ground, making them impossible to move and when you move it stays there for the new property owner.

As you can see, fire pits are usually the preferred choice over outdoor fireplaces.

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When firewood is first chopped down, it usually contains roughly 40-60% water. Due to the high moisture content, it doesn’t burn as efficiently as drier firewood. This is why it’s important to “season” your firewood before burning it. By allowing your firewood to dry out and season, it creates drier wood that’s easier to burn. So, how exactly do you season it?

Seasoning: the Basics

The term “seasoning” can be somewhat confusing. When used in the context of firewood, it refers to drying out the wood naturally. Wood is highly porous, containing countless holes (known as pores) that absorb and release moisture. Before you can burn firewood, you’ll need to release most of its internal moisture content — a task that’s accomplished through seasoning.

Which Type of Wood are You Seasoning?

First and foremost, you’ll need to identify the species/variety of wood. Different woods require lengths of time to season. Pine and similar softwood varieties, for instance, season in about 6 to 12 months, whereas oaks and other hardwoods take a bit longer, often requiring one or two years before they are fully seasoned.

Cutting Your Firewood

If you cut your firewood too large, it will take longer to season. A good rule of thumb is to chop firewood no longer than 18 inches. Keep in mind, though, that 16 inches is the appropriate length for a face cord. As long as your firewood is around 16-18″, it should season with relative ease while also maintaining a suitable size for use in fire pits, campfires, stoves, etc.

Open Air Storage

You can’t expect firewood to season properly unless it’s stored out in the open. Here’s where the problem lies, though: it it’s stored in the open, it needs to be protected from the rain; otherwise, it will become saturated with moisture whenever it rains. Consider creating an open shed with a covered roof but open walls. Storing your firewood here allows it to season while also protecting it from the rain. Just remember to keep your firewood off the ground, as the ground contains a significant amount of moisture than can leach into your wood.

If you can’t tell whether or not your firewood is properly seasoned, you can buy a special testing tool. Known as a wood moisture test meter, it lives up to its namesake by measuring the water content of wood.

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With school back in session for most of the country, the summer season is coming to a close. This means the temperatures will get cooler and the days will get shorter. But you keep your outdoor summer parties going well into the fall and winter months by investing in a fire pit.

According to an article published by ThisOldHouse, an overwhelming majority of homeowners (67%) said they want an outdoor fire to keep their outdoor parties going as the mercury drops. There’s still over a month left in the summer season, but depending on where exactly you live, you may already be experiencing chilly evening and nights. Instead of moving your parties indoors, though, you can keep them “burning” well into the night with a fire pit.

A fire pit is a versatile accessory that serves many different purposes. You can use it to cook and grill food; set it up as an outdoor decorative accessory; and use it produce warmth. When the sun goes down late in the summer, a fire pit produces just the right amount of warmth to keep you and your guests comfortable. And thanks to this increased warmth and comfort, you can throw more outdoor parties as the temperatures begin to drop.

Here are some tips on how to effectively use a fire pit at an outdoor party:

• Use kindling and tinder to light your fire instead of newspaper. Although effective, newspaper creates light ash that may blow onto you and/or your guests.
• Set up your fire pit with at least 10 feet of clearance from your house and any other structures.
• Provide seating for your guests. You can use either traditional chairs and benches, or you can use large logs as seating. The bottom line is that guests should have somewhere to sit and rest while they enjoy your fire.
• Bring stuff to grill. Even if you have no plans on cooking full meals, you can still roast marshmallows or other campfire snacks for added enjoyment.
• Keep water or a firehouse nearby in case stray embers escape.
• Use caution not to add too much firewood. Start with a large roaring fire, and gradually add single logs as needed. If your fire grows too big, it may produce too much heat for guests to comfortably sit or stand near.

If you have any questions regarding how an S&S Fire Pit can enhance your outdoor living space; We can help.  https://ssfirepits.com/contact/

A fire pit is the perfect outdoor accessory for individuals and families alike. When the sun goes down, you can enjoy the relaxing ambiance of a fire. But it’s difficult to fully enjoy a fire pit and everything it has to offer when there’s smoke billowing out the top. So, how can you minimize the smoke produced by your fire pit?

Burn Dry Wood

Make sure any wood you intend to burn in your fire pit is dry. Smoke occurs as a result of incomplete combustion, meaning there’s some other element present that’s restricting the fire. One such element is moisture. Attempting to burn wood that’s been saturated with rain/moisture typically leads to more smoke. This is why you should burn dry wood that’s been properly stored in a covered area.

Don’t Burn Green Pine

Certain varieties of wood, such as green pine, have a tendency to produce more smoke; therefore, it’s best to avoid burning them in your fire pit. Unlike many other hardwood varieties, green pine also produces a soot-like substance known as creosote that can clog chimneys and cause dangerous fires/explosions.

Allow Your Fire to ‘Breathe’

The more oxygen your fire has, the less smoke it produces. Oxygen encourages a faster and more efficient combustion process. And when there’s greater combustion, less smoke is produced in the process. So if you’re looking to minimize the smoke produced by your fire pit, try leaving the lid off while it’s burning. The increased oxygen facilitates combustion, which in turn minimizes its smoke.

Clean Out Debris from Your Fire Pit

Another simple way to minimize smoke from your fire pit is to keep it clean. Before lighting a new fire, remove any ashes or leftover debris from your previous fire. Burning leftover debris often creates more smoke because it has soaked up moisture. Spending just a few minutes cleaning out your fire pit, however, can minimize the amount of smoke it produces. You don’t have to necessarily scrub down the interior of your fire pit, but you should shovel out any leftover debris.

Following the tips listed here should reduce the amount of smoke produced by your fire pit. Keep in mind that all fires will produce at least some smoke. When it billows out of your fire pit like a chimney, however, there’s usually some underlying problem, such as wet firewood or the wrong type of firewood.

If you have any questions regarding how an S&S Fire Pit can enhance your outdoor living space; We can help.  https://ssfirepits.com/contact/

After gathering enough tinder, kindling and firewood for your fire pit, you’ll need to ignite it. One option is to use a grill lighter, but another option is to use a match. Igniting a fire with a match may seem simple enough, but many people make some critical mistakes. So, what’s the right way to light a fire pit with a match?

Light Under the Tinder

Going back to the basics of fire-building 101, heat rises; therefore, you should place your match under the tinder, not over it. As the heat from the match rises, it will catch the tinder on fire, spreading to the nearby kindling and eventually firewood. Simply holding a match over the tinder isn’t going to work, as the small flame lacks the necessary heat to catch the bigger pieces on fire. Always light your fire under the tinder.

Keep Your Matches Dry

It’s a good idea to store your matches indoors where they protected from rain and humidity. Allowing your matches to get wet may prevent them from igniting, unless of course they are waterproof. But even then, a completely saturated waterproof match may fail to ignite when stuck against the box.

Hold the Match, Don’t Toss it

Unless you have a 100-count box of matches on hand — and don’t mind losing them – light your fire by holding the match. Some people instinctively toss their match into the fire pit after striking it, only to discover that it failed to ignite the firewood. In some instances, tossing a match may work. Normally, however, it’s an ineffective way to light a fire pit. A better approach is to strike a single match, and then hold that match in place until the tinder catches fire.

Lighting the Match

Tired of breaking countless matches when you attempt to light them? Make sure you hold the match close to the head, pressing against it with your middle finger for additional support. You should also strike the match by running it towards your body rather than away from your body. Following these steps will reduce the risk of broken matches.

Light Upwind

A final tip to remember when lighting your fire pit with a match is to light upwind. Doing so allows the fire to blow into the tinder and kindling, making it catch more easily.

If you have any questions regarding how an S&S Fire Pit can enhance your outdoor living space; We can help.  https://ssfirepits.com/contact/

A fire pit is a versatile accessory that will open the doors to a whole new world of summertime outdoor activities. From sitting around with friends and family at night, to roasting marshmallows and grilling burgers, the possibilities are endless. But you can further enhance your summertime fire pit experience by following the tips listed below.

Bring Food and Beverages

When using a fire pit during the summer, bring plenty of food and beverages. Whether you’re camping deep in the woods or lounging in your backyard, you’ll develop quite the appetite being outdoors. So, prepare a cooler filled with food and beverages to keep you, and your guests, happy.

Here are some grilled food ideas to consider for your fire pit this summer:

• Bratwursts
• Hot dogs
• Hamburgers
• Pork chops
• Pork tenderloin
• Steaks
• Veggie kebobs
• Shrimp kebobs
• Chicken
• Lobster tails
• Corn on the cob

Table and Seating

No summertime fire pit experience is complete without a table and seating.  Be sure to provide plenty of ample seating and a nice large table for your guests to place their food and drinks on as well as it provides a place to sit and eat.

Starting Your Fire Pit

When you’re ready to start your fire pit, place some tinder and kindling and medium-sized firewood inside and light it. It’s best to start your fire BIG so it’ll create equally BIG coals. Once your coals have formed, you can simply add a piece or two of firewood as needed to keep it going. This is the preferred method for starting a summertime fire, as it keeps the fire going without being overly hot.

These are just a few tips to enhance your fire pit experience during the summer. Just remember to make it a social experience by inviting friends and family over. People have gathered around fires for thousands of years; there’s just something naturally social associated with fires. Embrace this element by creating a social environment with your fire pit.

If you have any questions regarding how an S&S Fire Pit can enhance your outdoor living space; We can help.  https://ssfirepits.com/contact/