Outdoor Fire Pits, Rings, etc

[Butch627]

I know there are a plethora of commercially made outdoor firepits, and rings and such. Is anyone aware of building codes or recommendations for distance from them and homes? This would be on the ground not on a deck.

 

[actaeon277]

bump for info

 

[d.kaufman]

No idea on anything as far as code on distance from house or deck, but I believed if you use common sense and don't burn when extremely windy or dry, you'll be fine.

My fire pit , when I use it, is maybe 15ft away from the house

 

[bwframe]

Sorry, not helpful. I don't know particulars, but will stay tuned in to learn.


Snoop says to give up smoke...

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Sorry, not helpful. I don't know particulars, but will stay tuned in to learn.


Snoop says to give up smoke...

Those do look pretty cool, but I don't think I could fit all the sticks and branches that I accumulate and burn in my burn pile/fire pit into one of those.

 

[red_zr24x4]

Can't help with distance from the house as mine is about 60' from the house, and maybe 20' from the shed
Gratuitous pic time, mine is the top ring of a manhole upside down

 

[indyblue]

The main thing wrong with those cool sided stainless fire pits as you also don’t get to feel any of the heat because it’s all contained in the unit. The little heat that emits from the flames over the top is barely anything and hardly worth it if you like fires.

Glowing hardwood coals emit so much more warmth with an open pit and it’s much more fun to watch.

Jmho

 

[indyjohn]

No idea on anything as far as code on distance from house or deck, but I believed if you use common sense and don't burn when extremely windy or dry, you'll be fine.

My fire pit , when I use it, is maybe 15ft away from the house

What d.kaufman said.

My patio is 18' from the door to the edge. Mine is 1' from the edge.

 

[Brandon]

Mine is just some blocks in a circle and about 6 inches of stone in the bottom and about 15 feet from our home.

 

[Cameramonkey]

The main thing wrong with those cool sided stainless fire pits as you also don’t get to feel any of the heat because it’s all contained in the unit. The little heat that emits from the flames over the top is barely anything and hardly worth it if you like fires.

Glowing hardwood coals emit so much more warmth with an open pit and it’s much more fun to watch.

Jmho

This. a 36" ring with lots of 1" holes drilled around the perimeter works great and is relatively smokeless. The key is to guarantee you have enough oxygen to support COMPLETE combustion. You need that air coming in around the bottom for that to get to where the actual fire happens.

Or you can drill it, bury it, and install a base vent in the center that draws air from a few feet away like a dakota fire pit. (only the vent is submerged). Black iron pipe and a cast iron grate to cover the hole is recommended.

Also leave 4-6" around the perimeter and fill it with VERY coarse (baseball to softball sized river rock) to allow air to be drawn down to the bottom. For best results, a 2nd outer ring to keep the soil from collapsing in is best. Concrete? pavers?

 

[indyblue]

Imo (some) smoke is at least a part of a live fire experience.

I am not sure of the purpose of these smokeless fire pit devices. It seems like you might as well plug in a halogen heater and get the same effect.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Imo (some) smoke is at least a part of a live fire experience.

I am not sure of the purpose of these smokeless fire pit devices. It seems like you might as well plug in a halogen heater and get the same effect.

No, see post 7. He's right. a halogen heater is more efficient than those fancy fire pits that are mostly for decoration or cooking.

 

[d.kaufman]

The main thing wrong with those cool sided stainless fire pits as you also don’t get to feel any of the heat because it’s all contained in the unit. The little heat that emits from the flames over the top is barely anything and hardly worth it if you like fires.

Glowing hardwood coals emit so much more warmth with an open pit and it’s much more fun to watch.

Jmho

Agreed

 

[Cameramonkey]

Agreed View attachment 314234

Curious. Which shooter does that skull belong to? I just keep my shooters' skulls on the mantle. I never thought to add them to the fire pit.

 

[d.kaufman]

Curious. Which shooter does that skull belong to? I just keep my shooters' skulls on the mantle. I never thought to add them to the fire pit.

Not a shooter, at least this one, but a neighbor

 

[firecadet613]

Mine is about 50' from the house, but I have plenty of land to work with.

I built a smokeless fire pit with the Crestone paver stones. Menards has the plans online, but I used a larger fire ring and drilled 1" holes around the top.

There is plenty of info online about them, leave a few gaps in the bottom ring of papers and a gap between the metal ring and pavers to allow for airflow and you're all set. Once it gets hot enough, it'll put out plenty of heat with zero smoke...

https://www.menards.com/main/outdoors/fire-pits-outdoor-heating/36-inch-round-solid-steel-fire-pit/ofw229fr-m/p-177023398285679-c-12918.htm

https://www.menards.com/main/outdoors/fire-pits-outdoor-heating/crestone-reg-fire-pit-project-material-list-10-1-2-h-x-3-6-w/1989205/p-1444422607076-c-12918.htm

Build your own DIY Smokeless Fire Pit | FixThisBuildThat

Level up your backyard with your own DIY smokeless fire pit! Build it yourself with this step-by-step guide and get rid of the smoke!

fixthisbuildthat.com

 

[bwframe]

Not the same thing, but I burn my rocket stove a few feet from my wood deck.

Everything stays contained well. No smoke after initial lighting. Pretty good flame though, if you want it...

 

[JTKelly]

You guys are really fancy!

I used to think an old satellite dish was high class.