Traveling with a portable fire pit can be such a fun way to travel. You can cook food on it, do smores, or just have a toasty warm campfire vibe wherever you go. A fire pit completely changes the mood and ambiance, instantly making everything feel more cozy and is the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening. You don’t even have to travel to be able to enjoy one, having a portable fire pit can make it possible to have small fires around your garden, enjoying various locations rather than being tied down to one area. One of the most important things to keep in mind when using a fire pit is safety. If you’re new to owning a portable fire pit, or just wondering how best to keep yourself and your family safe, keep reading to learn more about my top 3 tips for portable fire safety.
Fire Pit Clearance
You want to make sure you set up your portable fire pit far away enough from anything that it could melt, or even catch fire to. As a general rule, you’ll want to set up your fire pit at least 10 feet away from anything else, especially anything flammable. Bear in mind that this isn’t just for things like houses, tents, etc but that you should also keep this clearance in mind for things like trees, branches etc. Fires can quickly get out of control, especially in summer, so this rule is very important to follow. Check with the owners manual, but most fire pits should not be put on grass, wood or an enclosed area. If you’re looking for some more Outdoor Fire Pit Ideas, check out this great website that has a ton of resources.
Pay Attention to the Fire Pit Fuel
The main distinction between the various types of fire pit, is what kind of fuel you’ll be using. As a general rule it’s either wood or gas, and both require different care. With wood you want to be sure that the wood is properly dried for the cleanest burning. In order to prevent sparks from flying out of the pit, be sure to choose appropriately sized pieces of wood that are no more than 75% of the length of the fire pit’s diameter. With gas fire pits, it’s important to regularly check the vents and ensure that they’re clear so that things don’t get smoky.
How to Safely Put Out a Fire
Oftentimes, I’ll just leave my portable fire pit to go out naturally, but if you have an accidental fire you need to control or want to turn off the fire pit early, you want to make sure that you’re doing so in a safe way. If you use water to put out the fire, make sure it’s set to a spray setting. A more powerful setting might actually spread the embers around, starting a new fire somewhere else. Some fire pits, especially if it’s ceramic, might not be able to handle being put out by water as it can cause cracks and considerable damage. Check your owner’s manual to see what is possible for your particular model of fire pit. A fire extinguisher can be the fastest way to put out a fire, especially if you aim at the base of the fire. Decide ahead of time what kind of plan you will have incase of an emergency.
If you’re on the fence about buying a portable fire pit, just know it’s very easy to keep everything safe if you follow these tips. A portable fire pit can completely change the ambiance of your evening, creating the perfect cozy space to make memories that will last a lifetime.
