Gas vs Wood Fire Pits – a Breakdown
When it comes to choosing fire pits for your yard, there are quite a few options available. The two most common options are gas and wood fire pits. Before choosing between them, make sure you’re choosing the type of fire pit that works best for you!
Fuel Availability
Gas fire pits require natural gas or liquid propane for burning. On the other hand, dry wood is required for the wood fire pits. Before choosing between them, you need to know what type of fuel is easiest and most cost effective for you to get.
For example, if you live in a remote rural area with ample firewood, a wood fire pit is probably a better option. But, if you already have a home with a propane line, a gas fire pit would work just as well.
Installation And Starting the Fire
Building and installing a wood fire pit is fairly simple. You need only a metal frame and brick or stone over the top. Make sure the pit is at a decent distance from the home. You can also buy simple
metal fire pits for your back yard from home improvement stores or garden centers.
However, you can’t ignore the fact that you have to spend a lot of time stacking, ordering, seasoning and carrying the wood throughout the year. And it can take a long time to build up a good, warm fire with wood.
On the other hand, you don’t need to do much to start a gas fire. Most of the time you’ll just need to press a button or flip a switch.
Installation is much trickier on a gas fireplace, as well as much more expensive. If you don’t already have a gas line set up for your home, you’ll have to have a tank and line installed. Even if you do, it’s safer to allow an expert to do your installation.
Existing Landscaping
Your aesthetic preferences are also really important. A more rustic area might benefit from a wood burning fire pit. If you have lots of detailed landscaping, or a pre-existing outdoor living area, a gas burning fire pit with lava rock in the bottom might work better.
Allergies
If you have seasonal allergies or respiratory problems, the smoke from a wood burning fire pit can make you cough. The smoke and the coughing together aggravate asthma and similar issues.
A gas fire doesn’t irritate allergies and asthma. If you still want the smell of a traditional fire, there are quite a few candles that mimic the smell without causing irritation!
Safety
Safety always comes first, whether you are looking for a wood fire pit or a gas fire pit. If you have a gas fire pit, you need to check the gas lines regularly for any leaks as they can be deadly. These fire pits can require more maintenance than a wood burning one.
Wood burning fire pits are usually a lot easier; they don’t need much work. If you have a metal fire pit, make sure to clean it out before you start a fire in it. Storing it upside down can prevent buildup of debris and water. The wood pile can also hide insects and snakes though, so be careful when stacking and chopping wood.
Convenience and comfort
Starting a wood burning fire can be a tough and frustrating job. With a propane fire pit, you can enjoy warmth and family without any hassle. Also, it is easy to clean up after use and you don’t have to worry about irritating smoke.
Both gas and wood fire pits are good in their own ways. Ultimately, the decision depends on what is going to work the best for your family’s health, time, decor, and preferences.
Why You Should Build An Outdoor Fireplace
Installing an outdoor fire pit is a great way to make your yard a fun place to hang out with friends and family. From cookouts to s’mores, or even just sitting around the warm, flickering flames, a fire pit is a great way to open up your home. It also makes it more comfortable to be outside at night, even in late fall coolness.
Fireplaces Are Relaxing
Whether you’re drinking a hot (or cold) drink, reading, our just lounging, fireplaces are relaxing inside and out. When you take the fireplace outside, you get the added benefits of being outdoors. The calm crackle of a fire in the privacy and comfort of your own backyard provides you with your very own retreat.
When you’re creating your outdoor fireplace area, consider having built in benches, or investing in some comfortable and durable outdoor chairs. A weather tight box to store blankets and cushions will give you all the coziness you need.
Give Your Yard a Personal Touch
Outdoor fireplaces can be built to any specifications. From rustic to elegant and everything in between, you can find different outdoor fireplace designs to fit your personal style. You can even look into outdoor fireplace construction if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on something customized.
Often, a well built fireplace becomes the focal point of your backyard. If you want it to be something more than some stacked stone, you may want to consider getting an outdoor fireplace kit.
Entertaining Friends
Outdoor fire pits can also provide plenty of opportunity for entertaining family and friends. Simply add some chairs or blankets around the space, and you have a great place for you and your friends to hang out! Fall bonfires are a great way to enjoy the cooling season without getting too cold.
Use Your Outdoor Space Longer
An outdoor fireplace extends the usable season of your yard or patio. Here in Central Virginia, many fall and spring days would be too cold to enjoy being outdoors for long. But your outdoor fireplace can provide a warm gathering place so that you and your family can enjoy the benefits of being outside more often.
You Can Cook On Outdoor Fire Places
Your outdoor fireplace is the perfect place to roast marshmallows and hot dogs, make s’mores, and enjoy the fun of cooking outdoors. S’mores are a fun treat to make with the whole family, just make sure you have something to roast your marshmallows on.
If you lose power, you can always build a fire in your wood burning fire place to make a tasty meal. You can turn an inconvenience into an adventure.
One thing to be aware of is that gas fireplaces cannot be used for cooking. Grease and drippings can drip on the burners, causing issues with your propane burning fire pit.
Smoke is a Bug Repellant
Having a wood-burning fireplace outside produces smoke to repel mosquitoes and other insects, keeping you and your guests more comfortable and relaxed.
If you add certain herbs to the fire, such as lavender, mint, lemon balm, and citronella, it will be even more effective! Dampen the plants beforehand so that they produce more smoke.
Again, this is only really helpful for wood burning fire places since gas fires don’t tend to smoke much. Do not put herbs on a gas burning fire! Use a citronella candle or two to prevent bugs instead.
These are only a few of the advantages to having your own outdoor fireplace. Your opportunities are absolutely limitless! Just make sure you stay safe when building wood fires or using natural gas to power your flames.
If you’re looking to get a firepit installed in the Lynchburg area, contact CLC Inc. today!
