Nothing is more enjoyable than sitting around a camp fire with family and friends; the conversations, the laughs, the guitar sing-alongs and of course the marshmallows. Why not bring the county into the city with a backyard fire pit.
I've had a fire pit at every house since I was kid. I remember the 1st one my father made out of old furnace parts. The fire was on top of a cast iron piece that we could then easily shovel out the ashes from below (my father wasted nothing!)
The first thing you will need to decide when choosing a fire pit is whether you want a portable or permanent one. Portable ones include the popular Chiminea. Chimineas can be made out of cast iron, clay, aluminum and copper to list a few.
Another type of portable looks basically like a big bowl made out of many of the same materials as the Chiminea. These bowl type fire pits usually come with a screen lid which help keep embers from becoming a fire hazard. Permanent fire pits range from simple to sophisticated. My current one is a large truck tire rim that I've sunk into the ground. Its not as easy to clean out as the cast iron furnace from my childhood but it's a little easier on the eyes.
For a more traditional look, you could have a stone mason build fire place that looks more at home in the house than in your back yard. For a contemporary look, many people are using special tempered colored glass with natural gas for an amazing look.
If you decide to install a fire pit of any type in your backyard, you MUST check with local and municipal bi-laws to see if they are allowed where you live. If you're still unsure, call your local fire department and they will be more than happy to help you.
Thomas Green is an amateur gardener/landscaper and enjoys passing along his garden design tips. You can find him over on his blog at http://www.gardendesigntips.net
