Gathering Around the Hearth--The Outdoor Fireplace
from Fall 2004, Vol. 5, No. 3
By Shanta McGahey

As fall comes creeping into the South, homeowners are getting ready to hibernate for the winter. Sure, there’s no snow on the ground, but the air becomes just chilly enough to keep a family curled up next to the fireplace inside.

For a breath of fresh air, why not install a fireplace outside? Fire pits, outdoor fireplaces that also serve as grills, come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials and are a great centerpiece for backyard entertaining, keeping guests toasty while their steaks are cooking. Handy homeowners can purchase plans to build their own fire pit, or there are several pre-constructed styles on the market.

Fire Pit Plans
Do-it-yourselfers can purchase fire pit plans online that include AutoCAD drawings with views, dimensions, and details, plus specific instructions and a materials list. These pits use a propane tank or natural wood for heating and may be built out of a variety of materials including brick, stucco or stone. Building your own fire pit will require more time, energy and money than a pre-fabricated pit, but the ability to customize it to fit your garden and exterior home décor is a huge benefit. Since this type of fire pit is generally larger than a store-bought fire pit (furniture can be arranged around it), it is the best option for those who entertain on a regular basis. Plans for outdoor fireplaces range from $50 to $150, depending on the size and complexity of the model.

Large Concrete Fire Pits
If you want the look of a patio hearth, but can’t imagine putting one together yourself, pre-fabricated and customized concrete fire pits are available. Though they may sound industrial, these heavy-duty pits are a charming addition to patios. Several styles feature decorative bricks, granite or stone tile, or concrete stain can be applied to a pit to adjust its color. Consumers should be aware that granite tile can increase the price of a fire pit by $1000. The simplest concrete fire pits start at about $1000 and prices go up to $4000 with the addition of decorative work.

Portable Fire Pits
Hundreds of years ago in Mexico, the chimnea was created as a means of heating and as a container for cooking. The original chimneas were made of clay, but today, the outdoor stove and fireplace is formed from cast iron, aluminum and terra cotta, as well as the original material.

Harry Webb, manager of Southeastern Salvage in Chattanooga, says the store sells most of its chimneas in the fall. He attributes their popularity to people’s increased interest in garden décor. 'Chimneas look nice even when they’re not in use,' he says. 'The originals were very simple, but now you have so many options to choose from.'

Southeastern Salvage carries both clay and metal chimneas; clay chimneas run anywhere from $49 to $99, while their metal counterparts start at $120. The metal version lasts longer than the clay, but Webb says several customers have told him that old clay chimneas are perfect planters for tomatoes and squash.

Chimneas have maintained their original shape over the years, but creative designers have broadened the look of the portable outdoor fireplace, offering today’s customer several options besides the classic Mexican form. Copper fire pits are available in many local hardware stores, starting at about $100. With a grate, these dome-shaped outdoor fireplaces are ideal for grilling. Make sure the fire pit you purchase does not contain zinc, as there are less expensive versions on the market that do, and zinc is poisonous when heated. Also keep in mind that a copper finish must be polished on a regular basis or a green patina will appear (which some consider an even more desirable finish).

Circular fire pits made of cold-rolled steel are the newest trend in portable pits. Artistic cutouts enhance the design, minimize smoke and improve airflow. SOJOE fire pits, available in specialty garden shops and hardware stores around the Southeast, offer three styles, Star and Moon, Wildlife and Kokopelli. Jonathan Smith, a sales representative with The Fireside & Patio Shop in Knoxville, says the SOJOE has been the store’s most popular fire pit since they began carrying it in 2000. Perhaps that is because they are small, but functional. Other than the copper fire pit, the SOJOE is the easiest to move around the patio. The surface is large enough to grill a steak, although the cooking time is quite a bit longer than a traditional grill, so roasting marshmallows and grilling kabobs is recommended as a more practical use. SOJOE fire pits retail for $299 and comparable brands sell for about the same price.

Joe Boudreau, president of SOJOE, says, 'Many people find that fire pits make a very original holiday gift. Others appreciate the fact that a fire pit provides a unique way to entertain outdoors in the winter.' Whether it’s a crisp evening cookout or a relaxing mini-bonfire, fire pits provide an attractive alternative to cabin fever.

For more information on fire pit plans, visit www.patio-fire-pits.com. For more information on SOJOE fire pits, visit www.sojoe.com.