Quantity Fire Pits
Outdoor fire pits have become the essential addition to outdoor landscape design. Imagine your friends and family gathered around a warm fire on a cool autumn evening. The warmth of an open hearth, a star filled night, the smell of pinion wood burning, and great company to enjoy the setting. I can't imagine a better way to entertain.
With so many fire pit designs, how do you choose which one is right for your garden oasis? A good friend of my always tells me that he buys the less expensive fire pits. His rationale is 'it's a good deal. It was on sale for 40% off.' The funny thing is he buys a new fire pit every year. When it comes to quality design, properly specified materials, and tested products, you get what you pay for.
If you have purchased a cheap smoker or BBQ grill you know what I mean. The simple fact is that heat and fire on thin metal causes warping. Warping causes cracks, cracks cause failure in welds or burnt through metal. Next thing you know, it's off to the local store to buy a replacement. In ceramic fire pits moisture causes expansion, extreme heat causes contraction. Both of these conditions cause cracks. I learned this lesson years ago on smokers. After three inexpensive smokers, I broke down and purchased a Lyfe Tyme BBQ Pit. Yes, it was more expensive than others. Nine years later, many briskets, ribs, chickens, and wild game later, it is the best construction I have seen in BBQ pits.
Why is the Lyfe Tyme BBQ Pit good construction? Simple. The metal used is thick. The welds are strong. The design is tested. Many times a fire pit's fire is hotter than a smoker, therefore material thickness is critical. A minimum of 12 gauge steel is the choice for long lasting fire pits. Quality welding is the other key. If you look at the welding on a fire pit or smoker, it should be continuous and neat. Anything else is not acceptable.
To add a rustic touch, think about cor-ten steel for your fire pit. Cor-ten, also know as weathering steel, is unique in the fact that it is designed to build up a rust barrier that protects the steel from farther oxidation. Cor-ten is commonly used in outdoor sculpture and building facades. Once weathered, it creates a beautiful dark maroonburnt orange look in your outdoor garden or patio. The best thing about cor-ten steel is its durability. It will last for many, many years.