ALL FIRED UP!
TRANSFORM YOUR OUTDOOR AREA FOR WINTER WITH A COSY BRAZIER
When I talk to a new client and ask for their garden ‘wish list’, more and more I get asked for a firepit area. With the cooler weather upon us, these warm outdoor entertaining spaces are a must-have in every Aussie backyard.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
If you are considering a firepit, brazier or outdoor fireplace, location is everything. You want a space you will be able to venture out to, but also one that is in a practical area with no overhanging tree canopies, good ventilation and space to move around the flames.
STAY HYDRATED
It’s important to have a reliable source of water or a few buckets of sand near your firepit area to be able to extinguish it. Fire can get out of control very quickly, so it’s best to keep it contained.
GO FOR GRAVEL
When designing your firepit, choosing the right materials is imperative – never set one up on decking or any other combustible material. If you place your firepit in an area of lawn, the heat will burn the grass below, so I like to surround the immediate area with gravel as it is durable and charcoal washes through it.
KEEP IT CLEAN
Fires can be messy, especially when you are cleaning up the next day; so an area of paving makes it easier to wash off and clean. Select hard-wearing materials like recycled bricks over light-coloured stones such as travertine, as they will have longevity.
MATERIALS MATTER
When choosing the vessel for your firepit, metal and stone are the obvious choices. Stone makes a statement and a strong focal point, whereas metal offers flexibility as it can be removed when not in use. When selecting furniture to surround your firepit, stone can be cold but wood is combustible, so select something lightweight that can be moved in and out of the area to adjust the temperature.
STACK YOUR WOOD
You’ll also need an area for a wood stack. Make this close enough to the fire that the whole process doesn’t seem like a chore, otherwise you’ll never use the space.
WHAT’S THE ALTERNATIVE?
If fires are too messy or seem like too much hard work, consider ethanol. Ethanol fuel gives the appearance of flames with no mess and the ease of being quick to start and extinguish. Ethanol burners can be inserted into tables, giving you a practical piece of furniture that can be used all year round.
CATCH CHARLIE ON BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, FRI. 7PM ON CHANNEL 7