The Different Types of Fire Pits

Adding different accents to the home can be difficult if you’re not really sure where to start. You have a lot of freedom when it comes to redecorating or adding to your space, and sometimes the choices are overwhelming!

While it can be time-consuming to narrow in one design or paint sample, it never hurts to take a look at some inspiration from the pros who have once been where you are.

One accent people love adding to their homes is a fire pit. Read below to find out more about a wood fire pit, gas, charcoal, above-ground, below-ground, and the different materials you can use!

Quick Tips:

• You’ll need to ensure the location is far enough away from the home or any other structures.
• You’ll also want to build them on level ground.
• Fire pits work really well when they’re smack dab in the middle of the action, so you should consider putting them near patios, outdoor furniture, or even an outdoor kitchen.

Take a look at some of the below designs to find out which fire pit is best for you!

Wood Fire Pit

• These fire pits allow you to have bigger fires.
• They’re affordable because you won’t need to spend money on tons of additional materials.
• This fire pit also encourages engagement with anyone visiting because everyone likes to poke at the fire or add kindling.
• There are a few issues with this one, however, which include having to clean up the ashes afterward and the smell of burning wood sticking to your hair and clothing. You’ll also need to worry about how to handle all the wood for the pit because you either need to chop it down yourself or lug it around after you order it.
• If you install it yourself, the cost of building a wood fire pit can be as low as $60.00. Though, if you hire someone to install it for you, it could cost anywhere from $500 – $1300, which includes the cost of supplies. To learn more, take a look at our guide on how to build a fire pit.

Gas Fire Pit

• These fire pits don’t require any cleanup.
• You’ll save lots of time with this one because some gas fire pits don’t even take 10 seconds before they’re up and running with a full flame.
• Gas fire pits have more leniency regarding locations. These are safe to put on wooden decks and near the home.
• You can leave them burning and do other things because these don’t require any upkeep. Better yet, a gas fire pit doesn’t give off any smoke, which means the smell won’t get stuck to your clothing.
• There is a lot more creativity when it comes to these because they come in multiple shapes, sizes, and can be created with a more modern touch.
• Gas fire pits are a little more expensive to install and would cost you anywhere from $900 – $3800.

Coal Fire Pit

• Coal takes a little while to burn, so once you light it you need to let it sit for about half an hour before the fire really picks up.
• You’ll need a good amount of charcoal and lighter fluid in order to get things started.
• This one can be a little messy, like the wood fire pit. You’ll need to ensure that you clean out the pit before you start another fire.
• This is a great pit to use for cooking as barbecues use charcoal.
• Coal fire pits would normally run you the same amount as a wood fire pit, which would usually be around $500 – $1300.

Above Ground Fire Pit

• When it comes to installing a fire pit there are several places you can go to see a step-by-step process of how to properly build them.
• The basic steps to building your own fire pit above ground are that you’ll need to build a foundation, build an outer wall, and then build an inner fire brick wall before finishing everything off.
• You can try an above ground fire pit with various materials like brick, stone, or concrete. There are also options to make fire pits more modern or keep things traditional. You can play around with location depending on the pit you want to build. Though you can switch it up, a brick fire pit is classic.
• When it comes to setting up an above-ground fire pit, you can find kits as little as $200. Though, if you pay someone to install it for you, it could range from $1,400 – $5,000.

Below-Ground Fire Pit

• Creating an in-ground fire pit can be as time-consuming as an above-ground. Though, if you have the right tools to guide you on how to build a below-ground fire pit you’ll be able to get follow solid advice before you get started.
• Depending on what you want to use your fire pit for, you’ll need to dig a specific length underground. If you just want to have it for aesthetic appeal and to add something to your home then building lower isn’t the worst idea. If, however, you want to cook over an in-ground fire pit, you’ll need to ensure that the flames reach your food and don’t just heat it up.
• You’ll want to ensure that the whole you dig accommodates the number of people you want to entertain.
• You can also create more permanent in-ground fire pits for patios, but once again it depends on where you want to include it.
• An in-ground permanent fire pit would cost about $2,000 on average if you’re installing it in a patio. Hiring a contractor would set you back anywhere from $50 – $60 an hour.

Varying Fire Pit Designs

• You can switch up the materials you use for your fire pits. Brick is a pretty classic way to go and it’s one of the most traditional.
• Ring fire pits are another way that you can change up the way you do things. A lot of people like to create a circular pit surrounded by an iron wall with varying designs cut into them. Sometimes the iron is totally solid.
• You can use concrete or stone as well in lieu of brick.

There are a lot of ways that you can play around with fire pits if you get some of the basics down and look up inspiration for how you’d like to set yours up. For ideas, our feature on inspirational fire pit designs is sure to get you thinking!

So once you get your research done, happy building!