Firepits come in all shapes, sizes, designs and materials, and are one of the populations favorite inclusions in any home that wants to make the most of their outdoor space. When you are in the process of deciding which one is the best fit for your backyard, it can be confusing to choose one, especially if you are looking for a reasonable option.
There are several options you can consider, for instance, the pits that you can burn wood or coal in yourself, or other designs which work simply by flipping on a switch and are more controlled. Stone firepits, usually are best for placement in an outdoor patio and can look great with the existing stonework of your house.
Some people choose to purchase ready-made, factory created designs or build an in-ground one themselves, as illustrated here and get them installed or placed in their homes, while other people can also choose a more reasonably priced kit. The decision should ideally be based on how frequently you will use it. If you’re not sure what the concept behind a kit is, this quick guide below will give you all the necessary information.
The Concept of a Fire Pit Kit
Except for the enclosure of the pit, when purchasing a kit, you would get everything needed to set it up. Prefabricated structures are an idea of the past. People want to be able to create something that matches their preferences and sometimes you may find this however it is not always the case that you will be entirely satisfied with it, this is why kits exist.
A kit can simplify things for you and turn your idea into something tangible. It just needs you to set aside some DIY time and is a fast and efficient way that does not compromise on originality, quality or functionality. It works just as well as the factory ready designs.
What Comes with It?
There are several things you would either purchase separately from a hardware store or you can get a ready-made package with all the vitals already in it, and all you need to do is put it together with the right tools. Depending on the quality you want, concrete stone is harder than cement: https://askinglot.com/is-concrete-the-same-as-stone and is the recommended option. It can be a fun task for you and your kids as well as teach them a thing or two about DIY projects.
Typically, a stone or concrete type of design will need:
- Cast concrete or stone paver blocks
- Construction adhesive
- A metal bowl or liner for the inside
- A capstone
Once you have planned it out, all that needs to be done is place the stones or bricks in place, and using the adhesive to hold together each piece, you can measure and place the metal liner inside. It can take anything from an hour to a few hours depending on the design, placement and materials.
An important point to note is to keep your children away from any open flames. Even after the flame has died down the pit will remain hot for a while. In regards to upkeep, cleaning them and maintaining these structures is not an issue. Simply remove all the debris and clean the liner with soap and water when you finished.
When storing the wood or coal, make sure it is placed under a covering but letting there be open spaces for air to keep things dry for the next time you want to use it. The bricks or stonework can be scrubbed using a paver cleaner. Ideally, you would also need a cover for it, so that during winter, snow or rainwater doesn’t collect inside or get on the masonry.
Difference Between an Off-The-Shelf and a Kit
There are some pros and cons of picking one that is factory-made, as opposed to putting one together yourself.
Off-the-Shelf
With the off-the-shelf pits, the metal bowl or liners are usually portable, strong and lightweight. Some may be budget-friendly too. However, the fire-resistant ones are less common and they mimic stonework as opposed to being made with the actual material. They come in gas, wood and gel burning options.
The cons are they can scratch easily, and even corrode or rust over time. They need to be cleaned after each use. If you are buying something of higher quality, it will expensive and heavy, so not necessarily portable enough to move to a different location.
DIY Kits
They are easy to put together and you can use actual materials if you want to create a beautiful and authentic design. Many stone fire pit kits come with everything you need, and all you need to do is figure out where to place it in your garden. They can range from different colors too, like an earthy brown to a stone grey and are low-maintenance. This would entail a separate burner for burning the fuels for instance a propane gas tank connected to the pit, or a fire rock.
They can also be treated to be UV fade resistant and you can match the design to your home as well. A custom-made kit will come with anything from 70 pieces of stone to more or less and could either make installation a day’s job or an hour’s job depending on how large you want it.