An outdoor portable fireplace makes the backyard a warm and inviting place to hang out and have people over. It has the potential to become a social hub in your house that people of all ages, including children and teenagers, would appreciate.
How to Pick an Outdoor Fireplace
Outdoor fireplaces are indeed a great way to spend cool nights in any season, transforming your deck, patio, or garden into a warm and inviting space. Your fireplace may even be customized to your tastes and preferences. If there is something you don’t like, feel free to alter it to better suit your interests and those of your loved ones. Also, before you put an outdoor fireplace in your backyard, you should consider the following first:
- The purpose of the fireplace (warmth or cooking)
- How would you fuel it (wood, gas, propane, or electric)?
- What is it made of (CreativeMetal, quality of brick, stone, or concrete)?
- Dimensions of the area
- Whether permanent or temporary, portable or nonportable,
- Is it a smokeless fire pit?
- Design
- Either a professional or do-it-yourself setup
- Permits/local regulations
Outside Wood-Fired Fireplace
Wood-burning outdoor fireplaces are the best alternative for enjoying the warmth and ambiance of a fire in any size yard or patio. You can buy a fireplace kit, build your own from scratch using popular materials like bricks, metal, or concrete, or purchase a fireplace that is already built.
Pros
- Nature-like atmosphere
- Smoke ascends the chimney
- Boosts property value
Cons
- Impure combustion
- Heavy upkeep
- Sparks may cause fires
Mobile Fire Pit for Outdoor Use
When it comes to heating and lighting an outside area, having a fireplace that is both portable and self-contained is ideal. When not in use, they are simple to stow away. Some fireplaces include wheels for portability, while others may be easily carried by their handles.
Pros
- Handy
- Low maintenance costs and a lower initial investment
Cons
- Should not be left unattended.
- One outside zone is heated only
Compact Outdoor Fireplace
Fire pits are a great space-saving option, but they lose their warmth quickly with even a little breeze. But, depending on the fuel used, small outdoor fireplaces with covered fireboxes can give off a lot more heat than open fireplaces of the same size.
Pros
- Spatial
- Wonderful for intimate get-togethers
Cons
- Warms a limited area
Steel-made Outdoor Fireplace
Steel outdoor fireplaces, whether freestanding or integrated into a building, are low-maintenance and simple to clean.
Pros
- Robust and impenetrable to the weather
Cons
- Scorching hot
- Susceptible to oxidation and corrosion
Outdoor Fireplace Fueled by Propane
Liquid propane fireplaces are ideal for heating a big outdoor area since they burn hotter than natural gas or wood.
Pros
- Leaves no ash or embers to sweep away
- Activated by flipping a switch
Cons
- Not a sustainable fuel option
- No crackling flames
- Costly
In-Ground Stone Fireplace
Stones such as granite, limestone, slate, marble, or even cobblestones can be used to build outdoor fireplaces that are then set above a paver or concrete patio surface. Although they are more expensive to construct, these types of structures are a worthwhile investment because of their durability and longevity in both the home and the garden.
Pros
- Customizable
- Can set up a barrier for personal space
Cons
- Expensive expenditures
- Permissions and permits may be necessary
In-Ground Chiminea Fireplace
Traditional chimineas were built of terra cotta, although metal versions are available now. Their pot-belly form and small apertures at the front prevent wind and rain from extinguishing the fire.
Pros
- Puts the flames out and the smoke up
- Burns every sort of wood efficiently and safely
Cons
- Fires can only be lit under dry conditions.
- Not suitable for use on wooden surfaces
Inviting Outdoor Pizza Oven and Firepit
The cooking chamber of a pizza oven is typically dome-shaped and may reach temperatures of 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Building a proper pizza oven in the great outdoors calls for some serious masonry expertise, but it’s not impossible.
Pros
- Cozy up to flames and make pizzas with friends
- The perfect way to host a party
Cons
- High temperatures need extra-dry hardwood
- Very costly to construct
- Permits needed
Outdoor Fireplace Fueled by Ethanol
Ethanol, a renewable biofuel made from plants, is one of the most environmentally beneficial fuels to burn in an outdoor fireplace. Burning ethanol creates authentic flames, not a simulated effect. In addition, there is a bewildering selection of ethanol fireplaces available.
While they are fantastic for setting the mood, these summer fireplaces don’t provide nearly as much heat as their wood-burning counterparts.
Pros
- Totally smoke-free and emits no odor
- It doesn’t need any kind of ventilation
- Reduced fuel costs
Cons
- Gas must be sealed
- VOC-producer
- Flames “ignite” slowly
Hearths for the Great Outdoors
Stone, brick, CreativeMetal, or concrete fire pits all have the same standard architectural element: an elevated wall with a top aperture. While circles are the most common shape for fire pits, squares, rectangles, and ovals are also common. Fires are often wood or gas-fueled. They are low-cost and flexible in terms of placement.
Pros
- Gather more people
- Unobstructed
- Permits aren’t needed in many areas
Cons
- Safety concerns due to the fact that wind can spread flames and embers