Firepit - tips please

If it was me.... I would have a go at anything as when your outside and want a bit of heat and a glow, I would try wood logs with a bit of smokeless briquettes, what do you have to loose? I'm assuming that it must have a tray inside so that the ashes can drop? I've seen the logs and to be honest there is nothing wrong with your eyesight lol it would be a pea in a drum

 

hahaha! Typical advertising BS! Only 1 log burned at a time? Check their photo again. There's at least 3...



They do this sort of thing everywhere



Anyway, the idea behind fire pits is that when something is burning in it, the "pit" gets hot and radiates heat, as well as the fire itself. They might have decided to put 1 log as their recommendation because it radiates enough heat, whilst remaining as safe as possible. I would fill it to a safe height with logs or whatever and just don't go silly with it.

1 log will burn for a surprising amount of time if it isn't split with an axe. It will burn faster and hotter if you chop it with an axe. As @Apple Blossom said, try some smokeless briquettes but be aware that some of them are definitley NOT smokeless. My eyes can vouch for that . Try some different brands and use the wood ash in the compost heap Ash will build up in the bottom of the bowl. Just leave it to die out in its own time. It will ensure everything has burnt and putting water on it to put it out will cause the water to heat up and the pit might rust faster.

Happy firing!

 

We have a briquette making machine at work, it uses up the shavings.
They are not smokeless, but burn pretty hot.

We cant even give them away at the moment.

 

Just had about five of those one ton bags sent to a local service station, guess he will hold on to them until winter.
People actually want kindling wood, rather than the biquettes.

 

I use pallets in the woodburner. Some smoke (mostly the painted ones) but others don't. I use them when I want quick heat then once the body of the burner is warmed up I switch to logs or coal. So some pallets will be useful. I find the briquettes crapola frankly as far as heat goes. If you know someone on the building sites there is always plenty of good kiln dried softwood up for grabs - I find that smokes the least.

 

Pallets marked with HT ( heat treated) are probably the nicest fuel, but you can go though them surprisingly fast!
My chiminea used to take "scrap" wood from the school I worked at, the hardwood burned for ages but no real nice outdoor heat. Whereas the pine was lovely and warm but burnt up quickly!I'd stick a good chunky log in the middle and start the fire around it, burning enough wood to give a good glowing ember base, then just topping up the big log as it starts to cool down .
That's a good few hours of fire.
If you want to cheat, lay a layer of bbq charcoal down under a small fire with a big log, it'll get to a nice heat faster!.

 

I was about to ask the same questions but then this thread popped up. So informative, people. I am grateful to be part of this community where there is so much to be learned. Will now try to make one from an old barbecue and be confident in what I can use for fuel. Thank you guys.

 

Will certainly give that a go. Thank you. Must then sort out broken heater in jeep as it's getting to that time of year. Ho hum! Then if I knock out the fire places and sort the chimney I could have a real fire indoors and be in heaven. ..........No wait, I think I'll just make a fire pit and sit outside screaming at the leaves falling on the garden.

 

You can give them away to me.....for my chiminea any time