Some of these firepit tables are more large in size and depth allowing for a larger fire to be had in them.  Others are more attractive because of their smaller size.  Any way you strike it, it is possible to get the best of both worlds – sitting and chatting and a crackling fire nearby.

This stone fire pit table is currently closed.

The best feature of the fire pit table is the ability to quickly snuff it out and go inside.  There are both traditional wood styles and also propane versions.  Like with a patio fireplace that is connected to propane, you’ll need to run the lines and this will limit the portability factor of the table.  Outdoor fireplaces that are meant to run on propane are usually hard-lined so that they can be built in place and enjoyed that way.

This should not deter you from getting a gas fire pit table, however, because they are simple to clean up and often require much less maintenance.  Additionally, when you are done with the fire, you just turn it off – literally.  While the material in the bowl may still remain hot for some time, the coals will not be dangerous or burning for long.

Another popular thing in fireplace design is the use of materials like lava rocks and fireglass for a more dramatic effect.  These materials really need propane to work.  These are meant to replace wood as the ‘fuel’ for the fire and their glow can provide a nice ambiance and effect to your patio space.  Much like a chiminea, these are not meant to provide much in the way of heat.  The overall purpose of the decorative glass and chiminea fires are for ambiance.

With other patio dining furniture you will not get the combined effect of warmth or at least a warm glow and the ability to sit and chat.  These tables often take the form of a cocktail table – elevated more than a traditional table top.  When you are sitting at one of these, you are more apt to be enjoying the company of others and it makes for a great party atmosphere.  If you entertain on your patio much, the fire pit table is worth a look.

Photo credit

Related posts:

1. Fire Pit Table – Conversation Piece or Functional?
2. Outdoor Patio Fireplace Options
3. Chimineas – A Different Kind of Patio Heater

It used to be that a chiminea was made of a proper clay mixture that could withstand high heats.  The clay chiminea that you see for sale today have nothing in the way of this older tradition.  You can have a very small fire in these newer clay ones, but don’t try to put smaller logs and keep a crackling fire going all night.  You’ll end up cracking your chiminea for sure.  The intense heat that a fire puts out is too much for these newer more decorative styles to handle.

This is the perfect desert setting for a chiminea fire.

If you really want to use yours for this heating function, consider a cast iron chiminea.  These are a bit harder to come by and cost quite a bit more.  In addition to this, expect to have some help moving it as it weighs a lot as well.  These cast iron styles are much more able to hold a fire and can put off quite a bit more heat.  Think of them like you would an old pot-belly stove.  These thicker steels retain heat much better and actually radiate the heat that is produced in them.  So, not only will you get a good looking fire for your patio, but you’ll enjoy some radiant heat benefits even after the fire calms down.

This is in contrast to the type of heat that you will get from the newer patio fireplaces as well.  These are usually made of much thinner gauge metals and have a large open top.  They are more like fire pits on stands more than anything else.  These also serve a great function, just don’t compare them for their radiant heating effects – chimineas win hands down in this department.

Enjoy them for what they are.  An outdoor fireplace, like the newer clay chiminea pots, are more for ambiance than actual heat.  As mentioned in the beginning of this article, a patio heater would be a better choice if you are looking strictly for heat.  These are made for this expressed purpose and are better suited to provide it over any of the other outdoor burning device for lack of a better term.

Chimineas – Cost and Maintenance

These chimineas come in a variety of sizes.  Some are only 24-36” tall while others are closer to 6’ with their stand.  The clay chiminea style that is more decorative in nature can cost anywhere from $50-100 USD for a larger one with a stand at most outdoor pottery and garden art shops.  You can also find them online for the same price, give or take, when you take shipping into consideration.  For the cast iron styles of chiminea, you can expect to pay $200-300 USD.  With the cast iron chiminea, make sure that you are getting quality.  You can find metal chimineas that are quite thin and will not withstand the high heat of a log fire.

As far as taking care of your chimineas, just make sure that you keep them clear of debris and check the necks for blockages from birds or other animals.  Another tip is to get a fire arrestor or spark arrestor you might seem them called.  They simply fit over the top opening to avoid fire hazards from embers that come off the wood you are burning.  Other than avoiding high heat in the clay ones, there isn’t much to them.  The cast iron chiminea requires little bit more care just to ensure that you don’t get issues with rust.  You can also use some type of wax and simply rub into the outer metal surface.  This will help avoid issues with the smaller holes and pores holding water.  A simple cover or proper storage can avoid this issue when your chimineas are not in use.

Photo credit

Related posts:

1. Outdoor Patio Fireplace Options
2. Fire Pit Table
3. A Patio Heater – Warm and Comfortable Patio

Your patio space may lend itself to more of a transient or movable fireplace style. These types of patio fireplaces are more characteristic of metal styles that have screen covers to help with the sparking embers and to reduce any possible injuries from contact with the fire itself.  These are a very popular category of fireplace.

A more substantial type of outdoor fireplace made with stone and brick.

Just as popular as the patio fireplace models, just mentioned, a patio fire pit is also a great option.  This is a more permanent solution to having your outdoor fires going, but don’t let that deter you.  In fact, if done right, these are much more user-friendly because they provide a more structured gathering place for your family or guests.  Occasionally, you will find that the ‘fire pit on wheels’ is a bit cumbersome or less substantial than a built in fire pit.

A built-in fire pit has some issues with water pooling.  If you don’t have it built right, this will lead to problems.  Additionally, you might find that as your landscape matures, or you change the look of your backyard with the addition of a pergola or other type of patio cover, you may wish you had your fire pit somewhere else.  This is just the nature of life.  So, if you are fairly certain where you’d ultimately like your outdoor fireplace to go, then a pit will work quite well.

With all this being said, the portable styles are really convenient as well.  For the reasons mentioned and because you can get them in a variety of materials, a portable one works out well for a great majority of people who love to spend their time outdoors next to a fire – they work very similarly to an outdoor patio heater.  There are many styles made with various metals.  Depending upon their size, the gauge of metal is usually thicker to allow for expansion when hot from the fire.  A very thin metal will warp and bend with the heat, even melt if it is a large fire in a lower quality made style.

Many outdoor fireplaces can be found that suit any type of home decor.  There are the metal styles mentioned, but there are also stone and cement models as well.  Because real cement and some stone have problems with high heat,

The snow on this chiminea is less common in the desert southwest where they are popular patio accessories.

some synthetics and specialty built walls can prevent future problems.  There are even tables that come with smaller fire pits right in the center.  A different type of fireplace that can be found in the regions of the desert southwest are called Chimineas.  These are usually larger clay pots that are shaped somewhat like a raindrop and usually rest on a stand.  They are actually meant more for decorative purposes in most cases and intense heat can often crack them, so you should make sure that you buy one that is rated for actually burning fires in.

Another popular category is the outdoor gas fireplace one.  With these, you can avoid the need to burn wood for fuel and you can just turn them on and off when you wish.  Again, because of issues with hoses or hard propane or natural gas lines, placement can be an issue.  So, if you are going to consider one of these options, you’ll need to address location as you do with the in-ground fire pit.  Similarly, there are outdoor fireplace units that are simply like pre-built units that are either just assembled on-site, or can be dropped into place.  These can have a stone appearance and can even be aged to make them look like they’ve been there for quite some time.             

A trendy way to go these days is to utilize a fire channel or it could also be a bowl shape or other pit-like ensemble.  Within these channels or bowls are placed fireglass.  This is a special glass that can withstand the temperatures of the flame burning through it.  Again, it is meant to be used in place of wood as fuel.  These systems definitely use a fixed propane or other natural gas line as the source of fuel.  You’ll find these styles in many of the trendier hotels that have outdoor patio seating.

Pricing for these various styles and models ranges from $200 USD for a simple, portable style on upwards into the thousands.  It is really hard to quote a price when there are so many models to choose from.  When you know the type of fire or setting that you’d like to have, then settling on the right type of outdoor fireplace will become that much easier.

Photo

Photo

Related posts:

1. Fire Pit Table
2. Fire Pit Table – Conversation Piece or Functional?
3. Chimineas – A Different Kind of Patio Heater