An outdoor fire pit can be a desirable place to gather around with family and friends, especially during the fall when the evenings are cooler and the fire provides a welcome feeling of warmth. If you're thinking about adding a fire pit to your backyard, it's important to realize that it there are multiple ways to enjoy this addition. One option is to occasionally cook on it. While your fire pit will probably never take the place of your barbecue, cooking over the open flames can be plenty of fun for your family and for when you're hosting guests. If you're serious about cooking in this manner, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Ensure That It Can Accommodate A Grate
While it's fun to hold marshmallows and hot dogs on sticks over a fire pit, you'll want a better approach if you'll be cooking over the flames regularly. This usually means that you'll want a metal grate that can sit over the fire pit and support pots and pans. Fire pits and grates are available in many sizes, but it's advantageous to scout out some grates in advance of choosing your fire pit. You want to ensure that your pit isn't so large that you can't find a grate that will sit across it.
Choose A High-Walled Design
Some fire pits sit relatively low to the ground or are even inset in the ground, while others have high walls around the perimeter. There are advantages of both designs, but the high-walled version is generally better if you're going to be cooking over the pit. High walls — perhaps made of bricks or paver stones, both of which are common in fire pits — will allow there to be some space between the flames and the food that you're cooking. A grate positioned across a low fire pit could cause the flames to engulf your food, leading to less-than-desirable results.
Install It Close To Your Home
People decide to install their fire pits in a wide range of locations around their yards. While it often makes sense to keep the pit close to your home, this isn't always the case. For example, if you have waterfront property, the idea of installing the fire pit close to the water's edge can be appealing. If you're planning to do some cooking on the pit, you'll want it relatively close to your back door. Keep in mind that you'll be carrying food, cooking utensils, and other various accessories to and from the pit. As such, you'll want to minimize the distance you have to walk.
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