Fire pits provide the perfect combination of heat and ambiance whether you are planning a relaxing evening using the fire pit to create a romantic glow for an outdoor dinner or an exciting night of roasting hot dogs and marshmallows with family and friends. I’m Melissa from NorthlineExpress here with answers to some of our most commonly asked questions about fire pits. We receive lots of great questions about both wood burning and gas fire pits ranging from what should I use to light my fire pit to where should I place my fire pit!
0:35 Top Questions for Woodburning Fire Pits
0:42 What to use to start a wood fire?
1:34 Can a fire pit be used on a deck or patio?
2:02 Is it normal for a fire pit to rust?
2:33 How should a fire pit be positioned?
3:03 Top Questions for Gas Fire Pits
3:09 Can you cook over a gas fire pit?
3:43 Is it okay to burn wood in a gas fire pit?
4:02 How long will a standard 20 lb. propane tank last?
Woodburning Fire Pits
First I will answer our top questions about woodburning fire pits and then move on to our top questions about gas fire pits.
Question #1: What to use to start a wood fire?
We are frequently asked what we should use to start wood fires that are easy to use but safe. While there are chemical fire starters out there they are not always the safest to use, especially if you plan to cook over your fire. Using gasoline or lighter fluids to light a wood fire can cause dangerous flare ups and also can flavor food cooked over it. To avoid dangerous flare ups while still lighting your fire easily I suggest using a good fire starter. My favorites are Safelight fire starters. Each square burns about 10 minutes and they even light when wet. If you have a large fire pit, you can also make starting your fires easier by using a fire pit grate. There are traditional style fire pit grates like you would see in a fireplace, but round, and then there are also grates like the Incinergrate that keep your wood in a tee pee formation for adequate air flow.
Question #2: Can a fire pit be used on a deck or patio?
Another question that we receive often is if you can use your fire pit on your deck or patio. This answer to this question depends on the materials of your deck or patio. If you have a brick or concrete patio then yes you can use your fire pit on your patio as long as you don’t have clearance issues above like a roof, canopy, or overhanging trees.
Question #3: Is it normal for a fire pit to rust?
Customers ask if it’s normal for a fire pit to rust. If a fire pit is constructed of steel and exposed to the elements yes eventually rust will happen. You can avoid rust by covering your fire pit with a cover when it is not in use. You can also purchase stainless steel or copper fire pits which are less likely to rust. If you have a fire pit that is starting to rust you can bring it back to life with high temperature Stove Bright paint. This paint will have your fire pit looking good as new and is available in a variety of colors.
Question #4: How should a fire pit be positioned?
How a fire pit should be positioned is another common question that we receive. Depending on the arrangement of your area it is always best to place your fire pit in an area that will have the best affect but still be safe. When you position your fire pit you should make sure that you are clearing the area of any excess brush and vegetation. You should also never place a fire pit under trees or hanging branches, they could catch fire from flying embers or sparks off of your fire. It’s also advised to make sure that you are placing your fire pit on a non-combustible surface.
Gas Fire Pits
Gas fire pits offer the most convenience when it comes to outdoor fires but that doesn’t mean that there still aren’t questions that could be asked.
Question #5: Can you cook over a gas fire pit?
The most common question that we are asked about gas fire pits is if you can cook over them. Cooking over a gas fire pit is not recommended. The burners of your fire pit have small holes in them that can easily become clogged with the grease or drippings off of the food that you cook. It will also take away from the look of your fire pit because you aren’t emptying your fire pit each time. The logs, rock, or glass are a permanent part of your fire pit and will not be able to be cleaned.
Question #6: Is it okay to burn wood in a gas fire pit?
Another question customers are wondering about is if you can burn wood in a gas fire pit once in a while. The answer here is no. The construction of a gas fire pit is based off of the lower heat output of gas fires. The intense heat put out from a wood fire will damage your fire pit.
Question #7: How long will a standard 20 lb. propane tank last?
People also ask how long a 20lbb propane tank will last on a gas fire pit. While there are many variances here to consider, a full standard 20 lb. propane tank will burn for about 10 hours with a high flame. This is just an average to give you an idea you may find that your tank lasts longer or not as long.
I hope that you have found this information helpful! If you still have questions about fire pits you can call us at 866-667-8454. At NorthlineExpress, home of the buy and try satisfaction guarantee, we’re always happy to help.