Basking in the warmth and golden glow of your roaring firepit is the perfect way to enjoy a frosty winter night. Listen to its gentle crackling noises and watch the flames dance while sipping hot cocoa, coffee, or whatever strikes your fancy. But outdoor firepit areas aren’t just practical in the fall and winter. Your fire pit is just as useful in any season, and we’re here to tell you how you can make full use of it.
Firepits add a classy touch to paved outdoor areas while evoking the same sense of comfort and ambience as a backyard campfire. Moreover, nothing sets the scene better for backyard occasions, like get-togethers and romantic nights. Because of this, having a firepit in the garden is excellent for any season and occasion.
Which Type of Outdoor Firepit Gives Off the Most Heat in Winter?
Installing a firepit in your garden or outdoor area is a great way to entertain yourself outdoors in winter. But you also need to ensure that it gives off enough heat to keep you warm, comfortable, and safe. Then again, achieving maximum heat from your firepit depends on what type you have.
Wood-burning Firepits
This type of firepit evokes the iconic feel of adored campfires while having the benefit of giving off the most heat simply because wood burns hotter. The residual coals are also great for outdoor baking or other fire-side food experimentation. So if you’re after the highest heat output, this is the way to go.
The downside is that wood fires may be difficult to start, especially in winter when dry kindling can be sparse. Because of that, you will need to think ahead, buy wood, and store it in a dry, safe place to ensure you have a winter supply. Also, wood fires create a lot of bothersome smoke, and the heat output fluctuates dramatically, taking more effort to maintain.
Even with its drawbacks, wood-burning firepits make for a fun and educational fire-building experience.
Gas Firepits
This firepit does not burn as hot but can still keep you warm in winter. It’s also more convenient to use. If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy the process of starting a fire manually, a gas firepit is perfect for you since you can light a fire with the flip of a switch. Some designs even allow control over the level of gas output. With this, you can control the fire’s heat output and brightness.
Cleaning a gas firepit is also much easier since you won’t have to deal with ash. Moreover, you won’t have to worry about storing firewood since you only need to keep one or two propane tanks handy. The only downside is that gas is more expensive than wood.
Both types of firepits have their advantages and disadvantages. Do you want a firepit that gives off the most heat? Do you want something more functional and interactive? Do you want something convenient and elegant? It’s ultimately up to you to choose which fits your preferences best.
How to Use Outdoor Firepit Areas in Any Season
Winter may be the best season to enjoy firepits for many, and that’s because it’s the best season for taking advantage of its warmth. If you’re looking for winter firepit garden ideas, take inspiration from our list.
S’mores by the Fire
This is arguably one of the best ways to use a firepit in any season, especially with friends and family. Roast some marshmallows and pair them with a drink of your choice to keep your insides warm and cozy during the winter. Or you can enjoy the fire and share some stories with friends on a hot summer night.
Outdoor Cookouts
Who says cookouts are only for the summer season? While they’re more common during the summer, hosting an outdoor cookout is also great in any other season. Roast some barbecue, grill hotdogs, or cook any camping food you like. For winter cookouts, you can also set up areas where guests can grab some hot drinks and cozy blankets.
Outdoor Gatherings
Hosting backyard festivities around outdoor firepit areas is excellent in any season, especially during the fall. Keep warm by the fire or do fun activities like football and other outdoor games. Having a firepit in your garden is also a great way to keep guests entertained and comfortable when hosting outdoor events. Not only does it make great decor, but it also encourages conversation and keeps insects away.
Outdoor Firepit Do’s and Don’ts
Just as we want you to enjoy your firepit no matter the season, we also want you always to keep your safety in mind. Follow our list of do’s and don’ts to keep your backyard firepit area secure on any occasion.
Do’s
- Keep your firepit at least 10 to 20 feet away from your home or other structures to prevent fire accidents.
- Clean out seasonal debris. You might be thinking of burning them in the firepit but doing so poses serious safety risks. Embers from burning debris can easily be blown out of the pit and land on trees, shrubs, or properties, causing them to catch fire.
- Check the weather before lighting the fire, especially if it’s windy. Windy weather makes it easier for embers to blow around and land on flammable materials.
Don’ts
- Don’t leave your firepit unattended throughout the night. Always extinguish the fire before you go inside your home, and do not add more firewood at least one hour before you plan to retire. Pour sand or water on ashes to extinguish the fire. To ensure no hot spots are still burning, spread the ashes around.
- Don’t put your firepit underneath trees or shrubs, as low-hanging branches can catch fire.
- Don’t light your firepit near flammable materials. Keep your firewood piles away from the pit while in use.
Consider Paving Your Backyard Firepit Area
Pavers can transform your outdoor area into classy, inviting spaces fit for entertaining guests or simply as a place for relaxation. Plus, you get the bonus of highlighting your firepit as the centrepiece of your landscape design. Plenty of paving designs are installed with outdoor kitchens or firepits in mind, so you don’t have to worry about design cohesiveness.
Achieve your dream garden and choose Green Oasis Landscaping for all your paving needs. We are a paving company in Perth providing beautiful paving designs to highlight and elevate your outdoor firepit areas or your landscape design as a whole.