YOUR AGENDA
Setting up a backyard fire pit
WPortable or permanent?
hen you’re spending more time at home, a fire pit can help turn your backyard into a social hub: a spot to roast marshmallows, a focal-point flame that draws in friends and family. Here’s how to choose the perfect fire pit for your backyard.
➤ The easiest option is an off-theshelf model (usually a round, metal container with a dome lid), which typically costs less than $200.
Other movable, easy-setup choices include a chiminea (like a freestanding fireplace) and a fire table, which incorporates a fire feature in the center of a coffee table.
For more permanence, you can install an above-ground unit or inground pit of brick or stone. Expect to pay several hundred dollars for a DIY version and several thousand dollars for a contractor-installed pit.
Consider cooking accessories
➤ S’mores and hot dogs on sticks are at least half the reason to have a fire pit, right? But you don’t have to stop there. Some units are also designed for cooking and even come with accessories such as a grill grate or rotisserie spit. If you do a lot of outdoor entertaining, a
cooking model can make your fire pit an all-purpose, all-summer party spot.
Make sure it’s allowed
➤ The fact that you can buy a fire pit locally doesn’t mean it meets local codes. Rules differ by city and even by season. Some cities restrict fuel type and purpose (cooking might be allowed, but not recreational fires) as well as proximity to existing structures and property lines. Bottom line: Do your local homework before you buy that pit and light the fire.
Check if it affects your insurance
➤ Because of the potential hazard to nearby structures and trees, a fire feature could increase the cost of your homeowner’s insurance. Talk to an insurance agent about your plans. Ask about liability limits to make sure your policy also covers the house next door.
Wood or gas?
As when you choose a grill, the type of fuel you use comes down to personal preference and convenience. The pros for a wood-burning fire feature are the look, smell and warmth, plus more versatility for cooking. The cons: You’ll need a supply of dry wood, a place to store that supply and someone to keep the fire going.
A pit fueled by propane lights easily and you won’t have to clean up messy ashes, but it won’t give off as much heat as wood-burning models and you have to deal with replacing empty tanks. The propane tank is either integrated into the design of the pit or must be hooked up on the outside.