Choosing Your Outdoor Fireplace

Fireplaces aren’t just for homes and living rooms. If you’re looking for some outdoor bonding or recreational experience, an outdoor fireplace may just be the right item for you. An outdoor fireplace can effectively heighten that cozy evening experience with family and friends. There are however, certain matters to look at before buying an outdoor fireplace.

Design
There are generally two major outdoor fireplace designs one can choose from, both of which have a variety of sub designs. You have to decide if you would want a chimnea or a fire pit.

A fire pit is basically has a bowl where you can have your fire. An outdoor fireplace that is of the fire pit type gives the sensation of a real campfire. It is an outdoor fireplace in which you will feel comfortable roasting mallows over and conversing with people across the fire. The disadvantage of an outdoor fireplace of this type is the poor drafting or airflow. You may have a problem with unwanted lingering smoke. The issue with fire pits then is the efficiency of burning and smoke regulation.

If the campfire feel is not so crucial for you, many would much rather recommend the chimnea type for an outdoor fireplace. This kind of outdoor fireplace is considered cleaner and more efficient than fire pits. This outdoor fireplace can provide good drafting, providing the fire with air and keeping the smoke away from people.

You can also choose to have an outdoor fireplace with a 360 degree surround view. This kind of outdoor fireplace is basically a raised fire pit. It may have its dangers however since poor or light raised outdoor fireplace materials can endanger people if it tips over.

Size and Height

Many experts stress that size and height matters in choosing and outdoor fireplace. It is suggested that one should choose a chimnea with a large firebox. This is to make wood fittings easier. Having smaller fire boxes would mean extra effort in trimming wood to fit the firebox. Small chimneas will also ensure that the chimney will just be level or lower than head level.

Material

There are also many different materials that one can choose from when picking an outdoor fireplace. You can choose from cast aluminum, cast iron, sheet metal, clay, or copper.

Copper can rust and may not look so pleasant after a few times of use. Clay on the other hand may look visually appealing and may even be cheap. Experts say however that clay fireplaces are not so safe and can be damaged when least expected. Sheet metal, like copper, also rusts and the cheaper types may also unexpectedly melt. Cast iron and cast aluminum are therefore the more recommended varieties.

Cast iron however can also rust and may even stain but is generally sturdy if properly looked after. Cast aluminum is considered a better choice because it does not rust and is lighter than cast iron.

Obviously there are a lot of considerations in choosing the right fireplace for outdoor use. The style and design, although major considerations, must always take a back seat to safety considerations. One must always choose the item that is generally safe and easy to maintain.