Instructions for Outdoor Fire Places

Outdoor fireplaces work much like their indoor counterparts.

There are few things people enjoy more than sitting around a fireplace in the fall or winter. The smell of the burning wood, the warmth of the fire and the glowing embers bring a sense of comfort and excitement. You can create this excitement in your own back yard by using an outdoor fireplace. Using one of these fireplaces is substantially similar to using an indoor fireplace. The main difference is that you have to take extra safety precautions because of burning embers in the air. Besides that, you should be able to start a fire easily and have the whole neighborhood talking about that wonderful wood-burning smell.

Things You'll Need

• Fire wood
• Fireplace grate
• Hatchet
• Kindling wood
• Newspaper
• Matches

Instructions

1. Place a fireplace grate inside the fire pit. This will help oxygen flow underneath your wood pile.

2. Place kindling wood or newspaper underneath the grate. You will use these materials to start the fire because they catch more easily than large pieces of wood.

3. Use a hatchet to chop your firewood into smaller pieces. Smaller pieces will be able to catch fire more quickly. Chopping your wood in half or in thirds will make a big difference.

4. Stack your firewood on top of the grate.

5. Strike a match and set fire to the kindling wood or newspaper underneath the grate. This will cause the firewood above to catch.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a small amount of lighting fluid if you're having trouble igniting your firewood. A few squirts from the bottle should be enough to get the fire going.

• Make sure to clear the outside area of any materials that are easily flammable. The embers from the fireplace will float through the air and have the potential of igniting other items.

References

• Sicarius: Fireplace Lowdown

Resources

• Green Living Journal: Outdoor Fireplace Tips