7 Tips To Buying A Outdoor Fireplace

Before you head out to buy that terrific outdoor fireplace there are many things to consider starting with the safety of your home and family. Follow these 7 tips to buying an outdoor fireplace.

1. It's all about the size
But you already knew that right? The most important measurement is the one that tells you the size of the fire area. If the box is too small you'll be bogged down cutting wood small enough.

Look for the largest firebox you can afford and stay away from the tall thin ones. A larger firebox doesn't mean you have to fill it up. You can use less wood but you won't have to mess around resizing it.

2. Maintain It
In the early day's aluminum and cast iron were the popular materials with both having an exceptionally long life expectancy. Today you'll see more copper and sheet steel which doesn't last as long.

You can buy sheet metal fireplaces and very affordable prices online. These are considered disposable. Use it until it rusts and then toss it out.

Cast iron needs to be maintained or it will rust. It's a little tricky to maintain but when done it will outlast almost all the other material types.

Copper looks great when new but over time and exposure to the elements you will find it starting to turn rusty and green around the edges.

Cast aluminum is a great buy that's very easy to maintain and it lasts forever. It doesn't warp and it doesn't rust and it's much lighter than cast iron.

3. Weigh In
Watch the weight when comparative shopping. It's the key reason for price differences so make sure you are comparing like items.

4. Aluminum It Up
Cast aluminum is a great choice for anyone just starting to have some outdoor fun. It's easy to move around, maintain, and to buy. It's also easy to store when you aren't using it.

5. Clay
Is extremely affordable and it looks so natural but the trouble is it can fall apart with no warning. It can be messy so think about where you put your clay fireplace. It's not quite as durable as some of the other materials and it can crack without any notice but it's still a great look and a great buy.

6. Secure It
Lightweight fireplaces need to be secured properly to ensure they don't tip over sending ash and embers into the grass. You need to always be sure you are operating your firepit safely. You'll also want to make sure the ash doesn't spread and cause a mess on your deck.

7. Burn It
Hardwood is a very popular choice because it has a wonderful, scent and burns slowly. Of course you can also use scrap wood, fire logs, or branches.

Outdoor fireplaces are a great décor item for your yard. After all this is an extension of your home and you want it to look great. Get ready to entertain!