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 |  | Portable Fire Pits: $50-$250 |  | Larger, Elevated Fire Pits: $300-$3,000 |  | Custom-Designed Built-In Fire Pits: $3,000-$15,000+ |
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Designed to contain a fire and keep it from spreading, a fire pit can be a simple circle of rocks, an elevated metal bowl, a free-standing stove or a built-in stone masonry ring. A fire pit can be designed for bonfires, barbecues or heating, with the flames fueled by wood (or charcoal), propane or natural gas.
Typical costs: | - Portable fire pits typically feature a shallow metal bowl to hold the fire, supported by a stand or base. Also called fire bowls, these portable fire pits are often relatively low to the ground for more of a campfire effect, but some are table height, and can include seating or a shelf for wood storage. The smallest fire pits are about 20" to 25" in diameter; medium-sized models are 25" to 35" and large fire pits typically are 40" to 45". Prices start around $50-$250 for a small wood- or charcoal-burning, low-standing metal fire pit. The steel Landmann Halo[1] , which sells for $60-$109, has a 23.5"-diameter fire bowl (overall dimensions are 28.5" across and 17" high). The Fire Sense Hot Spot 60532[2] , selling for $190-$250, measures just under 24" in diameter and slightly less than 14.5" high, and comes with a solid base, a grill and a polished hardwood cover that converts the fire pit into a cocktail table.
- Larger and more decorative elevated fire pits can cost $300-$3,000 or more. Gas fire pits are generally more expensive than those that burn wood and charcoal. The Strathwood St. Thomas Cast-Aluminum Fire Pit Table[3] is a 42" table with decorative scrolling and a center 22"x7" covered copper fire bowl for burning wood or charcoal, selling for $300-$450. The Sedona Blaze Fire Pit is a gas-fueled model featuring a 30" cast iron bowl surrounded by ceramic tile, selling for $600-$900.
- A clay or metal chiminea is a sort of pear-shaped stand-alone fireplace, with a bulbous area that holds the fire, topped by a narrow chimney. Clay chimineas cost between $50 and $200, and require regular maintenance. Metal chimineas are typically 5 feet high and about 2 feet wide, are sturdier than clay models, and cost about $100-$500. At 43" high and 17.5" wide, the Deeco Western Basket Weave Jr.[4] is considered a smaller chiminea. It sells for $200-$280.
- Supplies for a basic do-it-yourself wood/charcoal fire pit might cost $20-$50 or more, and a more permanent build-it-yourself in-ground wood fire pit might cost $100-$600 or more. ThisOldHouse.com provides detailed instructions[5] for building a large masonry stone fire pit with a thick steel fire ring for about $500.
- Do-it-yourself kits for a built-in fire pit can cost $500-$2,500 or more, with gas kits costing more than wood-fueled versions. Typically the gas kits include the internal hardware needed for a gas fire pit, but not the surrounding stone or brick enclosure. The HPC 37-inch Natural Gas Fire Pit Kit[6] sells for about $2,000 and includes a remote electronic ignition system.
- Hiring someone to install a custom-designed built-in fire pit can cost $3,000-$15,000 or more for labor and materials.
Related articles: Patio, Landscape Design, Barbecue Smokers, Gas Grill, Charcoal Grill
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What should be included: | - Check local fire codes before adding a fire pit. Some areas specify a minimum area between the fire pit and the house or any other structures; in other regions local governments have banned wood-burning fire pits because of concerns about wild fires or air pollution.Scientific American magazine explains the potential environmental dangers[7] of wood-burning backyard fire pits.
Additional costs: | - A fire pit safety screen is needed for wood-burning fire pits; this may be included with most portable fire pits but can add $35-$75 or more, depending on size and make of the fire pit.
- Additional accessories like a fire poker, a ceramic log set for gas fire pits or a firewood rack can add $10-$100 or more to the total costs.
Shopping for a fire pit: | - The fire pit should be located in the open air, with no overhangs or enclosures. PatioHeatingUSA.com provides a guide for buying a fire pit[8] .
- Portable metal fire pits, bowls or tables are available from big-box stores like Target[9] or home improvement centers such as Home Depot[10] or Lowe's[11] . Major manufacturers include Fire Sense[12] , Landmann and Real Flame[13] .
- The Natural Handyman provides tips for buying and maintaining a chiminea[14] .
- Search for a gas fire pit manufacturer or retailer with the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association[15] . Find a certified gas fireplace specialist[16] through the National Fireplace Institute. To have a large custom fire pit professionally designed and installed, check for local members of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers[17] .
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External Resources: | - www.landmann-usa.com/OnlineStore/tabid/90/ProductID/97/Default.aspx
- www.firesense.net/
- www.amazon.com/dp/B000W9BP44?tag=.twg-20
- www.amazon.com/Deeco-DM-6035J-AA-Western-Aluminum-Chiminea/dp/B0028MGXUY/ref=sr_1_...
- www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,1636191,00.html
- www.amazon.com/HPC-Inch-Natural-Drop-Remote/dp/B001LGZ8I6
- www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fire-pit-environmental-dangers
- www.patioheatingusa.com/Fire-Pit-Buying-Guide-s/70.htm
- www.target.com/c/fire-pits-patio-heaters/-/N-5xtpk#ie=UTF8&node=382835011
- www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=fire+pits&langId=-1&sto...
- www.lowes.com/pl_Firepit_4294856729_4294937087_
- www.firesense.net/
- www.realflame.com/fireplaces.cfm?c=2
- www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infchiminea.html
- www.hpba.org/@@locator
- www.nficertified.org/pages_consumers/consumers-4.html
- www.apld.com/
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