Permanent Fire Place In Yard
There are many option for placing a permanent fire place in your yard. This is definitely the safer of the two options as you can design the entire pit to maximize its safety.
One of the safest ways is to simply pour a concrete pad. Once complete you can take bricks and build a circle around the pad to help contain the fire in the designated area. If poured big enough, the concrete pad will give you a nice solid sturdy surface for your lawn chair.
Another option is to get some sand and level where you want to put your fire place. You can then lay brick down as your floor. Once complete simply build your circle on the brick floor to contain the fire.
If you have ever been camping Im sure you have also seen a fire ring. These are also versatile. You can either dig a hole in the ground and make them flush with the ground or let them sit on top.
If you put them in the ground it is much easier to mow around and you dont have to weed-wack to keep it clean looking. However, if you put them in the ground you will probably want to put a few rows of brick around the circumference to help keep the grass green.
If you put them on the surface I recommend getting two rings with one being smaller than the other. Center the smaller one inside the bigger one and fill it with concrete. This will help keep the heat inside and not allow the grass to catch fire.
Keep Away From Shrubbery
There are a few things you should consider when you are deciding where to place your fire pit. First of all, make sure that there is plenty of distance between the fire pit and any shrubs, bushes, structures, or anything else flammable that could catch fire. Ideally, your fire pit should be 25 feet away from anything that is flammable. I know that this isnt always possible, but please do your best!
How Do I Protect My Lawn From A Fire Pit
By: Author Olin Wade
To protect your lawn from a fire pit, youll need to take some precautions. First, make sure the pit is placed on a non-flammable surface, such as concrete or stone. Second, keep the fire pit surrounded by a ring of non-flammable material, such as bricks or rocks.
Finally, never leave the fire unattended and make sure to extinguish it completely before leaving it unattended.
Contents
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Is It Safe To Put A Fire Pit On Grass
It would be best if you considered the safety of fire pits before thinking about purchasing one.
This equipment may be fantastic for homes and be one of the inexpensive methods of warming homesteads.
However, you know that when setting them up, youâll be dealing with fire. Hence, be extremely careful when handling fire pits to prevent the onset of fires.
You should be careful enough to avoid destroying your property and making the grass catch fire and endanger others.
In the section below, we will look at different safety precautions you should consider when handling fire pits.
Take It Easy On The Alcohol
Its worth noting that if youre in charge of the fire, you may want to take it easy on the booze. Our reaction time slows significantly when were inebriated and a fire problem requires swift action. Plus, we tend to get a little carried away with the fire when we start feeling it. If your loved ones are depending on you to be responsible for the fire pit, act accordingly!
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How Can I Help My Grass Recover After I Have Removed The Fire Pit And Protective Barrier From My Lawn
Its no secret your grass takes a beating during fire pit use from the heat generated, the compression of the grass from the weight of your protective barrier, the higher-than-usual foot traffic, and the damage done by the seating used.
In most cases, the following will help your grass recover after a fire pit party:
- Cordon the area off if you have to, but no foot traffic until the lawn area is back to normal
- Use a leaf blower to fluff up the matted spots in the lawn and get air flowing through the blades of grass a gentle raking can accomplish this as well
- Cultivate and apply seed to areas that sustained damage due to foot traffic or other factors
- Keep the area adequately hydrated to speed recovery
Interested in more fire pit safety accessory ideas? Check out my big list of 25 Gotta-Have Fire Pit Accessories for Your Next Backyard Burn.
Can You Put Fire Pits On Grass
Well, fire pits in generally supposed to be used on patios or decks. That being said, you can operate a fire pit on grass. As mentioned above, a fire pit mat is an absolute must especially on grass. Grass is the most flammable surface there is.
An alternative to choosing not to use a fire pit mat is investing in a fire pit with legs. Why? You take that extreme heat away from the grass you are operating your fit pit off the ground. Furthermore, make sure you are operating your fire pit on level ground as well. Again, everyone is different. There are some people who want luxury fire pits while others like simple, wood-burning fire pits.
Yes there are expensive fire pits and cheaper versions. That being said, you get what you pay for. Keep in mind many cheaper models are not rust proof So, you want to ensure you invest in a fire pit that is going to give you the biggest return on investment. That being said, whether you are operating a luxury fire pit or a cheaper, wood-burning fire pit, without safety your investment could go up in flame, literally. Worse, so could your property.
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How Extreme Heat Affects Grass
Normally when we talk about heat stress on the grass, were talking about hot, dry summers. When the ambient temperature rises and the grass doesnt get enough water, it can turn a gray or dark green color before turning to the dreaded brown. The same can be said for unprotected grass under a fire pit.
However, hot weather takes a toll on the grass slowly, whereas a fire pit can cause extensive damage in just a few hours. So, before deciding to put a fire pit on your grass protected or not you should make sure your lawn is healthy enough to handle it. Even if you take the proper precautions, unhealthy grass can succumb to the limited stress youll put on it with your fire pit and protective layer.
A couple of signs that your grass is stressed include:
- Footprints remain on your lawn hours after being walked on.
- The tips of the grass are curling or turning brown.
- If you push a screwdriver into your lawn and it doesnt go easily.
- If sections of your lawn can be lifted up like a blanket or carpet.
The signs above could mean a variety of different things, like a bug infestation, lack of water, or surface-feeding insects.
If your lawn shows any of these signs, you may want to consider placing your fire pit somewhere else until you can restore health to your grass.
What Can You Put Under A Fire Pit On Grass
What to put under your firepit is a very crucial consideration. You need to engage in measures to protect the grass by insulating them from direct heat contact.
Luckily, there are various materials that act as a protective heat resistant barrier and can be used to protect the grass from fire pit damage and also as a stabilizer for the fire pit if you are unable to find a level ground. One important point to note is that no matter the material used it has to be fire-resistant.
Here are some options to consider.
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Grass Guard/ Fire Pit Heat Shield
A fire pit heat shield is constructed to make air space between layers to create an insulating effect. The grass guard is a composite of metal and heat resistant materials that are elevated to protect your grass simply by placing your portable fire pit on it. No assembly is needed.
The grass guard fire pit must be on level ground to avoid spilling or tipping onto the grass. Look into the surrounding areas close to where you have a fire, and there must be a good distance between the pit and any nearby structures, whether flammable or not.
How To Place Artificial Turf Around The Fire Pit
When plotting the layout of your lawn, there are important considerations when placing artificial turf around the fire pit. Or, better yet, it may be more useful to plan how to situate your fire pit safely around your preexistent artificial lawn. Though synthetic turf is not flammable and will not spread a fire, burning ashes can still cause concern. They can damage small patches of your beautiful lawn. Who wants to taint that amazing, green look? Before you place your fire pit, here are some important considerations:
–First things first, do some local research. Does your area allow fire pits? Some municipalities do not allow fire pits, or if they do, they require proof of insurance coverage from your homeowners policy. Furthermore, there may be certain limitations, such as only allowing gas-run fire pits as opposed to wood. The latter creates more heat.
–Arrange an optimal area. Unlike artificial grass, organic greenery can catch fire. Be sure to trim away hanging branches and overgrown shrubs from the area where you plan to place your fire pit.
–Create some distance. Creating a barrier between your artificial grass and fire pit will help you to maintain your turf lawn for decades to come. Additionally, a fire pit should be at least 10 feet away from buildings and other structures.
–Keep flammable items far away. Particularly, if you choose a wood-burning fire pit, create a separate storage area for wood for safety.
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Never Leave A Fire Unattended
On the same token as the tip above, responsibility for a fire is only complete when theres someone around to be responsible. If you have to leave the fire, make sure that theres another adult around that can look after it and make sure any kiddos dont fall in it or knock it over.
If there isnt anyone around to look after the fire, you should put it out before leaving it. You can do this with a lid for your fire pit, sand, water, or an actual fire extinguisher. But make sure its completely out before you leave it alone!
Other Options That Protect Your Firepit From Fire
· Soaking the grass with water before placing the firepit down
You will want to liberally soak the grass enough to protect it from extensive heat but also not to be waterlogged.
· Moving the firepit around the yard
This helps to avoid compression. Always make sure that as you move it around it always remains in a safe location.
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Properly Protect Your Lawn From Your Fire Pit
As you can imagine, a burning fire pit can damage your lawn if you dont exercise caution. The base of a fire pit can get extremely hot and can harm patches of grass if left in a single spot for a long period of time. Now, Im not here to judge, sometimes you need to burn your fire pit on your lawn. Thats perfectly fine! However, its important that you pay attention and follow a basic plan. Read on to learn all about how to protect your lawn from your fire pit.
Make Sure The Grass Isnt Dry
Dry grass is incredibly flammable! It makes excellent kindling which is great for starting your fire but not great if there is an abundance of it around your fire pit.
Any embers or sparks from your fire pit could cause the dry grass to catch on fire. If this happens it can spread quickly and can cause more than just dame to your lawn!
If the weather has been particularly hot and dry and you can see that your grass is suffering because of this then it is important to thoroughly water not only the spot you intend to place your fire pit, but also a good area around it too so that any stray ember doesnt have some free kindling to light.
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Heat Stress And Other Common Causes
Fire pits placed on a lawn can compress, stain and scorch your grass, but any dangerous embers can cause a spark to nearby shrubbery like bushes. The grass on your lawn can be affected by a fire pit in many ways, and one main cause of damage would be heat stress. Since it promotes the exact opposite of grass growth through rainfall, the heat stress caused by a fire pit will shrivel up the grass and any nearby plants.
Fire pits also prevent moisture from entering the impacted areas of grass, which will simulate the effect of a drought in the summer season. This will make it harder for the grass to grow back to its original height, if at all possible. The surface that is occupied by a fire pit will also prevent the suns rays from penetrating the grass, causing that patch of grass to die due to a lack of photosynthesis.
Depending on how they are designed, the legs of your fire pit can also cause issues for your lawn. The impressions from the legs of a fire pit will compress the grass, giving your lawn more of an unpleasant appearance.
How Do I Prepare My Yard For A Fire Pit
Remove any grass or weeds from the area. Dirt can be used as the base of your firepit. Adding a layer of sand and fireproof material is possible. Gravel, lava rocks, fire pit glass, and paving stones are some of the best choices for firepits.
If you want to make your own fire, you can use any type of wood you have lying around. If you dont have any wood laying around, then you will need to buy some wood from a lumber mill. Wood can be obtained by chopping down trees, logging, fishing, mining, smelting ores, and crafting.
It is important to note that wood will degrade over time, so you should only use wood that you plan on using for a long period of time. For example, if you are using wood to build a fireplace, it should be used for at least a year before you use it for any other purpose.
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Should A Fire Pit Be In The Ground
One factor is how often the fire pit will be used. If it will be used frequently, then it might be worth it to have it in the ground so that it is more stable. Another factor to consider is how big the fire pit is.
If it is a large fire pit, then it might be better to have it in the ground so that it does not tip over. Finally, consider the location of the fire pit. If it is in a area where it could potentially start a wildfire, then it is probably not a good idea to have it in the ground.
Move The Fire Pit Often
Even if you dampen the grass with water or raise it with brick pavers, you should consider moving the fire pit off of your grass after each use. You can choose one of many places, but many folks choose their patio, deck, garage, or storage shed. Simply bring it out when you want to use it and make sure that you put it away safely.
However, when you finish using your fire pit, you should let the fire completely burn down. You can expedite the process by spraying a healthy amount of water with your garden hose. Once the fire is no longer burning, spread the ashes out so they will cool faster. After they have cooled, pour additional water over them to make sure that nothing is still aflame. Simply use an ash scoop after the ashes are dry to remove the ashes from the pit.
If you have a cover, put the cover on now and move the fire pit back to its storage spot until the next use.
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Protect Your Lawn Against Portable Fire Pits
With the winter weather here, many people stay warm with garden fires during their entertaining. But dont forget there are a few things youll need to do in order to prepare your lawn so that you do not damage the grass beneath or accidentally start a bigger fire.
Using a portable fire pit is much simpler than digging a permanent installation in your back yard, but you still need to do some preparation to protect your lawn from the heat of the fire. Follow our tips below to ensure you do not damage your lawn:
