Fire pits require some type of fuel to operate, with the most common sources of fuel being liquid propane or wood. Assuming you choose the latter, you should follow the tips outlined below.
Don’t Burn Lumber or Pressure-Treated Wood
It’s important to burn the right type of wood in your fire pit. A good rule of thumb is to only burn dry, native firewood in your fire pit. Avoid burning pressure-treated wood or lumber, which often contains harsh and otherwise dangerous chemicals. Even if a piece of wood “looks” natural, it may contain chemicals to discourage rot — chemicals that are released into the environment when burned. The bottom line is that you should only burn dry, natural firewood in your fire pit.
Safely Dispose of Ashes
Ashes can retain enough heat to ignite paper, grass, and other flammable materials well over 24 hours after the fire has gone out. So even if your fire pit looks and feels cool, the ashes could pose a serious fire hazard. To reduce the risk of a fire, wait until your ashes have completely cooled before dumping them. And when you’re ready to dump them, dump the ashes in a metal bucket and NOT the trash can.
Cover it
Try to get into the habit of covering your fire pit when it’s not being used. Leaving your fire pit exposed to the elements may cause rain to fill inside, which can mix with your ashes to create a mess. This shouldn’t cause any lasting damage, but it’s still something that most consumers want to avoid. Covering your fire pit prevents this from happening while keeping it nice and dry.
Choose a Safe Location
When choosing a location for your fire pit, make sure it’s away from your house, trees, overhanging branches, and other flammable materials. And don’t leave your fire pit burning unattended.
…Or Use Ashes for Other Purposes
Instead of disposing of your fire pit’s ashes, you may want to use them for other purposes. We talk about common uses for fire pit ashes in a previous blog post, which includes odor eliminator, stain remover, garden compost, insect repellent, wine sediment remover, and more. Whether you plan on using it for one of these purposes or not, though, make sure the ashes are cool before moving them.
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/
