May 29, 2011. Bill Szydlowski
credit: SergioTudelaThe time that you spend around your outdoor copper fire pit will likely be with your friends and family. You care about these people and obviously want them to be as safe as possible.
This is why it is important for you to follow certain rules when using your copper fire pit; these rules apply whether you are cooking or simply relaxing.
Do not clean your fire pit with chemicals
You will likely be cooking food with your copper fire pit at some point. It is important not to use chemicals when cleaning because you do not want any unhealthy fumes from the burning chemicals to land on your food. Instead of using chemicals you should use should use something natural and harmless to clean your copper fire pit. A good example of this is vinegar.
Limit the size of your fire
An outdoor copper fire pit naturally limits the diameter of the fire to the size of the fire pit itself. Unfortunately the size of the pit does not also limit the height that the fire reaches. If the wood in the fire pit is stacked too high then there is the chance that burning wood may come tumbling over the side of the pit; this is dangerous if people are standing close by. If you are taking care of the fire yourself then it is easy to limit its height by not piling on too much wood. Unfortunately you cannot watch the fire all the time; other individuals may be added wood to the fire when you are not paying attention. A solution to the fire becoming too big is to use a mesh covering; the size of the covering will limit the fire’s height. A mesh covering is dome shaped and made of metal; it sits on top of the fire pit. A mesh covering will increase safety while still allowing people to see the flames in the pit and allow heat to be emitted from the fire.
Clear debris around your fire pit
It is not safe to have wood or anything around the base of the fire pit; this is a safety hazard as individuals may trip and fall onto the unit. It is important to have wood and all other debris stored a safe distance away. This is especially important when having a party as intoxicated individuals are less aware of their surroundings and more prone to tripping over objects. This same rule applies to other heating units such as gas patio heaters.
Locate the unit in an open area
Sparks or burning pieces of wood may come out of your copper fire pit; this is why it is important to have nothing flammable near the unit. This includes papers and cardboard boxes as they may light easily. Also sweep the ground so that there are not any dry leaves or grass.
If you follow the above instructions and use a little common sense then you should have a safe and happy experience with your copper fire pit.
Updated May 29, 2011. Published May 1, 2011. Bill Szydlowski
