Copper fire pits are one of the most popular types of fire pits sold today. There are many advantages to copper for firepits, but it also has its disadvantage. Determining which will be best for you will depend on your outdoor fire needs.
One of the main reasons people choose copper, is for its durability and longevity. Copper has a very high melting point and a strong resistance to corrosion. Copper does not rust like cast iron or steel. Exposure to the extreme heat and weather will cause iron to corrode especially fast. For thin material, this can mean a short life. Thick iron or steel can still last a long time, but the rust can wash off in the rain and stain your patio or deck. With copper, this just isn’t a problem.
Another advantage of copper fire pits is the appearance. To a lot of people, copper looks more elegant, and will retain its appearance, even with exposure to use and weather. Copper will form a thin patina from oxidation, but can be polished back to its original shine. But many people prefer the appearance of the patina and leave it.
The main disadvantage of copper is the price. Copper is significantly more expensive than other common fire pit materials. But if you plan on keeping a fire pit for a long time, it can be worth the extra cost. Copper is also heavy, so may not be the best material for a portable fire pit, but so is cast iron and steel. Cast aluminum has the weight advantage.
Coper is ultimately considered to be the best material for fire pits by most people. If you don’t mind the extra cost, this may be the way to go.
Burning firewood outdoors is in a lot of ways different than burning indoors. The best firewood for outdoor fires can be different than what you might think is best for indoor burning. When heating with a wood stove indoors, most people prefer dense hardwoods to give off long radiant heat. But with outdoor fires, this is not always the case. But in all cases, dry wood is by far the best.
The best wood for an outside fire will depend on what you want from the fire. What you might want for cooking or roasting hot dogs may be different than if you want a lively fire with big bright flames to sit around. Dense hardwoods are good for cooking over. They make good hot coals that put out a steady heat with low flames. Hardwoods are also the types of wood that have the best smoke flavors and aroma.
Softwoods like fir, pine and cedar are often better if you want big bright flames. This is what can create the type of outdoor fire that will light up the area at night and bring a lot of warmth and great atmosphere. But be careful with some softwoods like cedar, since they have a tendency to throw sparks. And with softwoods, they do burn a lot faster than dense hardwoods so be prepared to go through more wood and put wood on the fire more often.
Pinion pine is a very popular firewood for outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and chimineas. Pinion pine is a softwood, but one of the more dense softwoods. It burns longer and puts out more heat, and it is resinous which helps to make more brilliant flames. It is also popular because of its aroma when burned and its mosquito repelling properties.
Many people consider pinion pine to be the best firewood for outdoor fires. But because of its popularity and limited growing area, it can also be expensive. Pinion pine grows in the arid southwestern USA and Mexico. It doesn’t grow very fast and the trees don’t get very large. It also usually has to be shipped a long distance for most markets. So to me, I would rather burn more local woods that cost much less. But many people enjoy it enough to pay the higher price for it.
If you are burning wood in a thin metal or clay fireplace or other outdoor burning device, be cautious of the super hot burning woods like mesquite, manzanita, and Osage orange. these types of wood can get so hot they can damage these devices. If you do burn them you may want to keep the fires small or mix in other types of wood. Thick cast iron and copper are not so much a worry.
You should avoid burning treated wood or wood soaked in creosote or paint. These can put off toxic fumes. Beware of burning used lumber and building material scraps, since some of it might be treated. As long as it is clean untreated wood, it is fine to burn. You can usually tell if wood is treated because it will burn with a greenish flame.
Just about any type of clean dry wood will burn fine. So if you have it, try it out. The best way to know what type of wood you like best is to try different types and decide for yourself.
Post your experiences and preferences of types of wood for outdoor burning below.
Outdoor fireplace designer/contractor, Scott Cohen will show you different types of outdoor wood burning fireplace designs as well as some gas burning designs. Scott will explain the advantages and disadvantages to the different types to help you decide which design might be best for you.
No matter what style of outdoor wood burning fireplace you choose, from the elegant custom concrete designs to the the simple outdoor fire pits for sale at your hardware store, there is nothing like the atmosphere that can be created by an outdoor wood burning fire. With an outdoor fire you and your family can have the campfire experience and transform your backyard into a living space to relax, entertain guests or cook meals.
The first thing to consider with an outdoor fire or any fire is safety. Assuming outdoor fires are allowed in your location check with your local fire department and local officials for fire safety procedures. Outdoor fires should be kept away from wood or other flammable decks, walls and overhangs. Use common sense and keep fire a safe distance from anything you don’t want to burn.
Tips for Selecting an Outdoor Fireplace
There are different styles to choose from, fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas and different materials they are made of to choose from. A simple outdoor wood burning fire pit can be anything from a ring of rocks on the ground to a metal bowl that is elevated off the ground and sometimes even placed in the middle of a table top.
A fireplace like a chiminea has the advantage of having a smoke stack that draws air into the fire and helps it burn more efficient and clean. It also vents the smoke above head level. Fire pits without smoke stacks tend to smolder more than a well designed chiminea. Without the venting the smoke can linger and become annoying or blow into people sitting around the fire. Anyone who has spent any time around a campfire knows what that’s like.
The size of the outdoor wood burning fireplace may be more important than you think. It may be tempting to choose one that is small in size because it may costs less. But a smaller fire pit may end up costing you more money or more work in the long run. In order for wood to fit in a small fireplace it will usually have to be cut into smaller pieces. This will usually mean either more work for you or more expensive wood if you are buying it. You may actually save money buying a larger fireplace. Even if you only want small fires you can still use a larger fireplace, just put less wood in.
Outdoor wood burning fireplaces that are made of thin metal are light, inexpensive, and easy to move, but they may not last long. Enamel finishes don’t last and the exposed metal can rust, burn through, and some may even melt if they are thin enough and the fire gets hot enough. Thin metal fireplaces do work but consider them to be disposable.
Cast iron will rust on the surface, but if it is thick, it will still last a long time. A little maintenance, like occasionally coating it with high temperature stove paint, can slow or stop the rust and make it last longer. Some models come with a cast iron body but the neck or chimney will be sheet metal. Eventually you may end up with a fire pit with no neck because it rusted away.
Cast iron is heavy and durable so it will take a lot of abuse over a long time. The weight makes it difficult to move but this can be a good thing if you want it to stay put. It is not going to blow away or be as likely to disappear when someone else decides they want it more than you while you are not looking.
If you do go with cast iron, the heavier it is the better because thicker metal will last longer. Rust from iron will stain whatever surface you put it on so keep that in mind if you were thinking of putting it on a deck.
Cast aluminum can be a great choice if you want the advantages of cast iron but you don’t want the weight and want it to last long. Cast aluminum alloy is lighter and easier to move, doesn’t warp and has a melting point only a few hundred degrees lower than cast iron.
Cast aluminum outdoor fireplaces and chimineas are a good low maintenance choice. They are usually cast from the same molds as the cast iron models so they usually look similar. Since they don’t rust they won’t stain the surfaces they are on. They are light enough to be portable so you can take them camping or to any other outdoor event.
Clay chimineas are a popular type of outdoor wood burning fireplace since they are inexpensive and attractive. But they can and do fail. Repeated or sudden heating and cooling and moisture can cause them to crack and fall apart. This can be dangerous if it happens while a fire is inside. For this reason avoid using a clay chiminea on a wood deck or around anything flammable.
Copper Fire Pits
A copper fireplace can last the longest of any of the metals. Copper is durable, has a higher melting temperature and doesn’t corrode like iron or steel. Copper has a beauty and classic look that has a lot of appeal. But don’t expect it to keep the shiny copper color that it comes with. After use and being out in the weather, copper will develop an oxidized coating or patina on the surface. Some people like the patina look but with some work the copper can be restored to its original look. The main disadvantage of copper is the higher price.
Fuel for Outdoor Fireplaces
Some outdoor fireplaces are designed to burn propane, natural gas kerosene or fuel gel. This may be all you have available or are allowed to use. But for the real experience burning real wood burning fireplaces are the only way to go. People are naturally drawn to a wood fire, its like a primal part of humans. Wood is also natural, renewable and provides a better flavor for cooking.