How to Use an Outdoor Fireplace

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Outdoor fireplaces make the coziness, warmth and excitement of a fire available year round. Precautions should always be taken when using an outdoor fireplace to maintain safety. Follow these steps to safely use an outdoor fireplace.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Place your fireplace at least 10 feet from your house or other structures. Place a bed of dirt or sand at the bottom of your fireplace, or follow the advice in the instruction booklet that came with your fireplace.

Step2

Cover your fireplace with a screen after the initial flames die down to control flying embers. Have some insulated leather gloves handy for handling the fireplace and cover after they are hot.

Step3

Keep a water supply, a bucket of sand or a fire extinguisher nearby. Teach your family how to use them.

Step4

Use dry wood, such as seasoned oak or hickory, to minimize smoke. Or use a manufactured outdoor firelog. If you have a gas fireplace, hook up the propane tank and follow the instructions or use your natural gas source.

Step5

Start your wood fire with a fat stick. When first using your fireplace, start with a small fire until you get used to the way it burns.

Step6

Put the fire completely out when you are finished. A cup of water will usually do the trick. After the fire is out,clean the ashes out with an ash bucket. If your fireplace came with a protective cover, use it.

Tips & Warnings

Treat scratches on your wrought iron fireplace with a rust preventive paint.
Don't use your fireplace on a wooden or composite wood deck because it could ignite.
Never leave your fire unattended. The fire could get out of control, or someone or something could fall into it.
Don't use any chemicals or charcoal starters to light your fire.