| An open fire is always sure to become a focal point | | | | the flexibility of moving it around the patio. With |
| for a relaxing evening experience outdoors. While | | | | these, you simply place them on any safe surface |
| some use an open fire for hot dog and marshmallow | | | | and build the fire. |
| roasting, you can always use it for serious cooking as | | | | The Outdoor Fireplace: |
| well. The fire pits and fireplaces of today can be | | | | An outdoor fireplace is build in much the same way |
| equipped with grates, tripods, spits, and rotisseries. | | | | as an indoor one. There is not as much concern |
| This kind of cooking might be less convenient, and | | | | about venting, but you do want the flue to pull |
| require a little more work than cooking on a standard | | | | smoke through the chimney instead of out the |
| grill, but many people enjoy the more primitive | | | | fireplace opening. |
| outdoor cooking experience. | | | | Getting this flue draw is a little tricky, as the firebox |
| The Fire Pit: | | | | and flue must be built just right. You should either hire |
| Basically, a fire pit is no more than a hole in the | | | | a professional to build a fireplace from scratch, or |
| ground with a decorative stone or brick ring | | | | purchase a fireplace kit that you can assemble |
| surrounding it. Building a fire pit can be as easy or | | | | yourself. |
| difficult as you want to make it, but there are many | | | | Some other outdoor fireplace ideas include: |
| fire pit plans found online for those who want to | | | | - A large outdoor fireplace situated against or near a |
| tackle that project. | | | | wall of your house can make the whole house design |
| If choosing to build or buy a gas powered pit, a gas | | | | look appealing. Consider having this done if you have |
| line will have to be run into the pit. Of course, | | | | a blank and dull wall of your house facing the patio. |
| whatever kind of fire pit you get, be sure and place | | | | - Another great option for an outdoor fireplace, and |
| it away from any sort of fire hazard such as piles of | | | | for those with a big patio, is to have two fire areas |
| dry leaves or brush. | | | | and chimneys together in one unit. One would be the |
| Some fire pit ideas include: | | | | regular fireplace, and the other could be a pizza oven. |
| - A gas fire pit built of ceramic stone gives your patio | | | | The fire areas could be angled to create the look of |
| a retro-style look. | | | | two separate lounging areas in front. |
| - A cast-concrete pit provides a different but modern | | | | When it comes to fire pits and fireplaces, there really |
| look. | | | | are no design limits, outside of the your patio area |
| - A flat tile surface around the pit gives people a | | | | and your budget. Use a design that fits your outdoor |
| place to put drinks and food without having to hold | | | | lifestyle, and your fires will always heat up your patio |
| onto them the whole time. | | | | experiences. |
| You can also buy a portable metal fire pit is you like | | | | |