Best Fire Pit Kits of 2020

Photo courtesy of decoist.com.

Fire pit kits, a recent DIY trend, are part of a long history of fire pits in general. For the past several years, fire pits have been a popular feature at lake houses. It’s not hard to see why. Especially during the fall, fire pits add a much-needed sense of light and warmth to your outdoor space’s ambiance. Roasting marshmallows, drinking wine, and staying cozy beside a fire describe the season’s essence. 

However, when it comes to choosing a fire pit, there’s a lot to consider. They can be expensive to install, difficult to set up, and a headache to operate. If you’re running into these issues when choosing a fire pit, DIY might be the solution. 

Many manufacturers have created fire pit kits — designed for convenient installation and easy maintenance. If you dream of a nice fire pit but love the convenience of DIY, these user-friendly products are perfect!

Belgard’s Fire Pit Kit

Photo courtesy of Lowe’s.

This circular stone fire pit kit from Lowe’s is a simple DIY design. The tumbled stone evokes a polished, contemporary look. With a retaining wall product surrounding the stones’ interior, it won’t crack at high temperatures like a brick fire pit would. 

This product is available in six color blends to match your existing lake house’s hardscape for aesthetics. Suppose you don’t have all day to install, no worries.

This fire pit kit’s build time is only an hour because it comes with instructions and ready-to-assemble pieces.

RTA Square Fire Pit

Photo courtesy of RTA.

After this square fire pit kit is shipped to your door, it can be assembled in one afternoon. If you’re having trouble, check out one of RTA’s installation videos for outdoor kitchens (the same process applies for fire features). 

Once you’ve installed it, its durable features ensure that you’ll enjoy it for years to come. For instance, it comes with a weatherproof on/off switch, the ability to withstand freeze/thaw cycles and coastal climates, and a lifetime warranty on the structure. 

Available in natural gas or propane, the stainless steel burner is the perfect addition to your outdoor kitchen. You’ll also love using the plate and drink counter space for your lake house guests.

Park Canyon Propane Fire Pit Kit

Photo courtesy of Home Depot.

For a hint of classic elegance in your backyard, check out this propane fire pit kit from Park Canyon. The product is made of resin with a circular steel frame. It doubles as both a patio heater as well as a table. 

When it’s heated, it has a power of 50,000 BTU and an automatic shut off to keep everyone safe. Up to 4 people can enjoy its warmth on a crisp fall evening. Plus, you can control the temperature just by pressing a button for maximum comfort. 

With a mesh guard that contains fire sparks and an attractive cover to conceal the propane, it’s one of the more sophisticated fire pit kits you’ll find.

Cape Cod Fire Pit

Photo courtesy of Stonewood Products.

This Cape Cod Fire Pit has been a bestseller at Stonewood Products every year, and the reasons are obvious. 

First, it’s designed to install quickly and easily so you can spend more time enjoying your fire pit than creating it. It’s also incredibly versatile. 

When ordering, you can customize height and color so that it blends seamlessly into your backyard. 

You can also tailor this fire pit kit to your needs by adding a smokeless fire ring, a spark screen, or a grill surface. This circular, stone fire pit is a timeless look that easily integrates with surrounding nature. 

Belvedere Round Fieldstone Kit

Photo courtesy of Rosetta Hardscapes.

This fire pit kit from Rosetta is designed to help you customize your outdoor dream space. 

Varying shapes of wet cast concrete bring out a balance of modern and rustic looks. Especially paired with a stone hardscape, this look is perfect for a lake property. 

For your convenience, it comes with a block key and pattern for quick installation. And depending on your preference, you can choose between a wood-burning or gas-powered fire pit. 

At your lake house, fire pit kits are a great way to achieve a low maintenance landscape. They’re easy to install, and the designs are elegant and straightforward. 

This fall, you can assemble a fire pit kit in one afternoon and invite guests over for s’ mores by evening. From our lake house to yours, stay warm outside and enjoy the season! 

How to Get the Most Out of Your Wood Fireplace This Winter

Pile of chopped firewood leaning  against lit wood fireplace

Although winter is well underway and spring is just around the corner, the January nights still feel cold and the days feel short.  But just because the snow is taking forever to melt away doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of fun activities to do before the weather heats up. Picture a quiet evening spent cuddled on the sofa, your favorite drink in hand, with soft music punctuated by the crackling of a sweet-smelling fire. In the throes of winter, there’s nothing better than that cozy fireside feeling. Before you start that flame, though, here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your wood fireplace this year.

Always Safety First

Lake house with stone fireplace How to Get the Most Out of Your Wood Fireplace This Winter
Photo courtesy of Cargill Construction.

Everyone loves a wood fireplace. Not only do they set the scene for pictures, memories, and quiet contemplation while at the lake, but they can save you a pretty penny on your energy bill this winter. However, if misused, a wood fireplace can be dangerous. So, before you do anything else, it’s helpful to know how you can keep your family both warm and safe.

The National Fire Protection Association has published guidelines for the safe use and maintenance of your fireplace and chimney here. In general, it’s important to make sure that your chimney and vents remain unobstructed, as anything clogging the airways—including sticks, birds’ nests, or creosote deposits—can catch fire or send smoke and harmful CO2 back into your home. As a precaution, you should aim to have your fireplace, chimney, and vents inspected once a year and cleaned once buildup in your chimney reaches 1/8-inch. Ventilation is key not only for your fireplace and chimney, but also your whole house— the more insulated and ventilated your home, the more efficient your hearth, and the happier you’ll be with it.

Not All Wood Burns the Same

Lit firewood in fireplace

After having your fireplace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned, you’re already well on your way to settling in for the winter in front of that big, roaring fire. But wait—you need something to burn. What kinds of wood should you choose, and is there even a difference?

When it comes to burning, not all woods are the same. Some have shorter burn times, while others burn longer and at hotter temperatures. As a rule of thumb, hardwoods like elm, oak and ash are great woods to burn in your fireplace; they grow at a slower rate than softwoods like cedar, firs and pine, and they’re also denser, slower to burn and providers of maximum heat. Still, it’s not a bad idea to include some softwoods in your woodpile—they often make the best fire starters!

If you’re planning on self-producing wood for burning, you’ll want to cut it well in advance—for some hardwoods, 12 to 18 months—and store it properly in a dry and sheltered space, off the ground where it can be dried by the sun and air. Remember, the harder the wood, the longer it takes to season. Check out these tips for properly storing and seasoning your firewood

And here’s a bonus— a wood moisture meter is an inexpensive way of measuring the moisture level of your firewood. Buy it once and use it year after year!

Consider Locally Sourced Wood

locally sourced chopped firewood in basket

Once you know what to burn and how to store it, you’ll need to find it. And if you can’t produce your firewood, you’ll need to buy it. These days, you can buy firewood online and have it shipped directly to your home, but there are loads of reasons why locally sourcing your firewood is the best option for you this winter and next. For starters, when you buy locally, not only are you supporting local sellers—your friends and neighbors—you’re also doing right by the environment.

In recent years, invasive species of insects like the Asian Longhorned Beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer have decimated forests in the US. The EPA notes that “once established in new areas, these pests can quickly kill trees in our favorite forests, parks, communities, and campgrounds”—and no one wants that. So, no matter where you buy, before you buy, check the source of your wood. The USDA’s quarantine map is also a great resource that will alert you to any special considerations regarding the importation of firewood.

We hope you find these tips useful, but remember, when you’re dealing with fire, you can never be too safe. As a rule, never leave a fire unattended, keep any and all flammable materials out of the flames’ reach, and make sure you have working CO2 monitors in your home. Last but not least, enjoy the calming warmth emanating from your wood fireplace—you’ve earned it!

What’s in a Flame: The Latest Trends in Outdoor Fire Pits for Lake Houses

Photo courtesy of Thom Filicia.

A prominent rising trend in home design over the past few years is the outdoor fire pit. A perfect source of both functionality and ambiance, what’s not to love about these patio favorites? Especially with the upcoming winter season, fire pits evoke pleasant ideas of comfort and warmth. It’s easy to envision roasting marshmallows, laughing, and chatting around the outdoor fire pit with family and friends, as the view of the lake sets the perfect backdrop. It’s practically an image in a brochure for lakeside living. When looking into buying or maintaining your fire pit for your lake house, it’s important to consider the type of style that suits your space. To offer some inspiration, we’ve pulled together some ideas for your outdoor fire pit based on current trends.

The Natural Look

Photo courtesy of DirectBuild.

Many lake homeowners are purchasing fire pits that emulate the way that a natural fire might look. Instead of elevated pits that rest on metal legs, the latest trends look as though they are built into the ground. These fire pits are both elegant and natural with a low height, often built with boulders around the circumference to feature natural materials in the design. “It’s not your typical fire pit,” says Lori Moscato, president of Casual Elegance Designs. “It’s always a great look, and it’s different than your neighbors.” However, while the look is ultra-realistic, Moscato maintains that there’s nothing wrong with a gas flame. Due to the low flame height, easy maintenance, and quick cleanup, gas fire pits allow you to focus less energy on starting the fire and more energy on enjoying the ambiance. “It adds value to outdoor living space and the home,” she notes.

Low Dining with Lighting

Photo courtesy of Custom Outdoor Essentials.

The emerging popularity of fire pits is part of a more significant trend that brings the inside-outside. For example, homeowners are incorporating more outdoor TVs, dining tables, and kitchens into their designs. Rachel Mendoza, international marketing manager of EcoSmart and Brown Jordan Fires, says, “with smaller lot sizes in many parts of the country, builders are providing a finished outdoor living space to provide the homeowner with maximum usable square footage— indoors and outdoors.” Specific to fire features, lake homeowners are opting to gather around an outdoor fire pit rather than around the fireplace in their living rooms. As a result of this transition to outdoor spaces, fires and dining tables have merged to create the fire pit table. Essentially, this is a standard dining table with a fire pit built into the center. Mendoza endorses their effectiveness: “Firepit tables are multifunctional as they provide warmth and table space to set down food and drink. The effect creates the perfect setting to sit around and enjoy great conversation.”

Durable Materials

Photo courtesy of Star Fire Direct.

When it comes to choosing an outdoor fire pit for your lake house, the material you select depends on your patio aesthetic. For a minimalist, perhaps industrial look, consider fire pits with steel bowls. A bonus of this sleek material is that everyone gathered around the bowl has access to the heat. For a more natural look to complement the woods in your backyard, teak is an excellent option. Mendoza notes, “teak is classed as the most premium wood on the planet. Beyond its beauty, teak is extremely durable, stable, and weather resistant.” Finally, if you’re a little unsure about what type of look you’re aiming for, Mendoza recommends looking for a fire pit made of concrete. She adds that this material has a “natural and raw tone that seamlessly integrates with all furniture settings.” To begin your search, you can check out the EcoSmart and Brown Jordan Fires collections.

Regardless of what material you choose, your outdoor fire pit is sure to be a source of warmth, both literally and figuratively. Mendoza adds, “In today’s hectic world, the simple pleasure of relaxing in front of a flickering flame melts the stress away and allows your mind to unwind, be at peace, and recharge.” Besides providing much-needed heat in the winter months, the presence of a fire pit is all about creating memories with friends, family, and guests at your lake house. So grab a basket of blankets and gather around the fire for good times.

Want to learn how to build your own fire pit? Check out this article HERE.

5 Ways to Stay Warm While Enjoying the Lake in the Fall

There’s just something about fall.

The air is crisper, the leaves are falling, and it feels refreshing to be outside. In contrast to the summer months when the heat is smothering, you find yourself drawn to your outdoor spaces.

Your patio or dock are the perfect place to enjoy a cup of hot coffee on autumn mornings, or to snuggle up on your porch swing at night, and listen to the wind blow through the leaves.

Pretty soon, it will be sweater weather, and you’ll feel the cold drawing you back inside your house for the long winter.

If you want to prolong the autumn charm a little longer however, there are a couple of options to stay warm in your outdoor living space.

homemade backyard fire pitFire!

If your HOA, or city ordinance, allows a fire pit, this is a great way to add a cool, or rather hot, touch to your open air patio.

Yes, you must check the rules before buying one of these as you don’t want to get fined or have the ATF storm your patio.

If you find that you can legally have a fire pit, get ready for s’mores cookouts, hot cocoa by the fire and enjoying the fall air without needing to bundle under blankets.

Remember to keep it in the open air, so you don’t have smoke or fire damage to the ceiling of your porch or patio.

There are a ton of different fire pit designs, but most are big enough to fit four camp chairs around, so you can enjoy the heat by yourself, or share with friends!

Chim-chim-Chimenea

Chimeneas are those awesome clay fireplaces you always see but can never remember what they’re called.

They have a wide belly for burning actual firewood, and a skinny chimney to release the smoke.

The clay retains heat well, providing a heat source through the clay and also from the burning wood.

Chimeneas come in many shapes and sizes, and there are many beautifully decorated and fired clay designs, and even some funny ones as well.

If you want a statement piece in addition to warmth, a chimenea is the way to go.

Also note, this should not be kept under a closed roof or patio, because sparks can lead to a fire on your porch, which would definitely kill your outdoor enjoyment.

Hearth and Home Outdoors

Another really unique addition to a porch or patio is an outdoor fireplace.

These can be free-standing away from the home, or built into the siding of the home into the exhaust infrastructure to allow the smoke to escape through the home’s existing chimney.

Usually made with brick like an indoor fireplace, these outdoor fireplaces radiate comfort and style.

What would be more relaxing than curling up in front of a fireplace while watching the leaves fall all around you with the serene lake as the backdrop?

These fireplaces are definitely the most expensive option, and would require a contractor or a really talented handyman to achieve the proper safety requirements.

Propane and Propane Accessories

If you are worried about an open flame near children, a risk you take with a wood-burning option, you’re on a tight budget,  or you’re Hank Hill and you just love propane, you can always get an efficient, cleaning-burning propane heater.

These heaters come in a variety of sizes and require — you guessed it — propane to provide heat.

They work incredibly well and can heat a small enclosed space safely and efficiently.

Many of the newer ones have safe spark igniters, low oxygen sensors and other safety measures if you’re worried about about your well being and the well being of guests.

Camp heaters also work really well for this purpose, and you can transport them easily if you decide to enjoy a friend’s patio during the fall as well.

hot tub by the lakeGet Yourself in Hot Water

Another way to enjoy the outdoors and keep warm is to relax in a hot tub.

While there are many things you may want to consider before purchasing a hot tub, there is no denying the relaxation they provide on a cool night by the lake.

Any of these options are a great addition to your outdoor living space.

All you have to do is decide which one is the best fit for you, light it up, and enjoy the rest of fall by the lake.

You can even enjoy your new, warmer outdoor space well into the winter!