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Let’s set the scene: after a long day, friends and family assemble around the fire pit to enjoy a little warmth and relaxation as the seasons change to autumn and the sun sets. The air is heavy with the aroma of burnt marshmallows and ashes, people are chatting quietly and small talk is common, and as night falls, frogs and crickets begin to sing. … someone is always rushing back and forth in an attempt to get kindling, lighter fluid, wood, and other supplies so that the fire can burn for more than fifteen minutes at a time. The good news is that you don’t have to constantly rushing back and forth to keep the flames alive if you have the proper fire pit knowledge. Nobody likes to be in charge of such chore. The ideal late-night campfire experience may be created with only a few firewood-burning tips and tricks.
First, wood vs. gas fire pit functions
As the name implies, lighting propane gas is necessary for a gas fire pit. You must first ensure that you have enough gas to maintain this fire going for a longer period of time. Since wood-burning fire pits need more upkeep, cleaning, and setup than gas fire pits, many of the recommendations below are more specifically geared towards these types of fire pits. And who can argue against the unique nostalgic feeling that comes with the smoky fragrance of wood? Naturally, both are excellent choices for maintaining a cosy and welcoming garden. Furthermore, it’s always advisable to exercise prudence when using a gas or wood-burning fire pit before looking at innovative ways to make better use of it.
Here are 10 tips and tricks to keep your fire burning for hours:
1. Let’s analyze the weather conditions
Mother Nature herself may occasionally make it difficult for you to build a fire. It goes without saying that you will find it difficult to tend to your fire if it is raining. But even settings with a lot of wetness and humidity might be challenging. In dry conditions, controlling a fire and extending its duration is simpler. Recognise your surroundings and keep your fire pit in order. Your fire will burn longer if you can relocate your fire pit or make the surrounding air dryer.
For instance, if you reside in California, you are aware of the potential repercussions of setting a fire during a drought or other dry conditions. Observe good etiquette, use caution, and be wise (these three guidelines also apply to each of us).
2. What direction is the wind blowing?
The location of your fire pit might affect how long-lasting fires burn. If your fire pit is outside, even small wind gusts have the potential to put out the flames. It’s usually advised to have a wind-breaking surface close by to block the wind before it reaches your fire. A shed or house wall, or a dense undergrowth of plants or trees, might act as a windbreaker. But remember to maintain a minimum of 10 feet between your fire and any combustible object, such as dry leaves, bushes, wooden buildings, or your house. (Having a long-lasting fire is the aim; total environmental destruction is not.).
3. Make sure to keep your materials dry
It can be simple to forget to maintain your wood stack dry for those spontaneous bonfire evenings if you don’t use it very often. It’s vital to organize your firewood so you’re ready for any situation where you might want to use a fire pit, especially as the temperature drops throughout the cooler months!
For a fire to burn longer, you need dry firewood. The length of your burning can be hampered by both air humidity and moisture that has seeped into or been trapped in the wood. Using a firewood log rack is a simple technique to reduce the likelihood that this may occur.
This facilitates the process of preventing your wood from coming into direct touch with the ground and its associated dampness. Moreover, log racks keep your firewood tidy and orderly. When you need more wood for the fire, having a rack makes it easier to keep it close by. Some log racks even feature wheels for effortless movement around any space. Secondly, purchasing a log rack cover is a smart investment. Covers are a must for keeping your firewood dry for the finest fires ever since they shield it from the weather all year round.
4. Look at the type of wood you’re using to burn
You need kindling (such as newspaper or dry leaves) that burns hot and quickly to start a fire. For a few minutes, thin bits of dry wood will also help to maintain a steady flame. But following that first spark, it’s critical to understand how and why different kinds of wood burn.
Logs made of ash, oak, maple, cherry, birch, and beech are categorized as “slow burning.” Because they are hardwoods with more wood packed per square inch, hickory, hornbeam, and walnut all burn slowly. As a result, the fire takes longer to spread. Compared to softwoods like pine, fir, and evergreen, these kinds of wood burn for hours at a time, slower, and cooler.
5. A combination of wood types is best
Although hardwood may help your fire burn for a longer period of time, be careful not to put too much wood on top of the flames. In order to maintain heat, the fire’s base needs some airflow, but it also needs additional assistance to ignite. Do not forget to begin with a mixture of softwood and dry kindling. After that, you can move to hardwood flooring to prolong your time in the warmth..
6. Remember that moisture inhibits fire growth
Drying out your pit before you use it is a simple way to extend the life of your fire. Your fire pit can be absorbing more moisture than you think while it’s outside exposed to the elements. Make sure you get a towel so you can wipe away any wet or leftover residue. This is also a smart move if you want to keep your fire pit maintained for years to come.
Purchasing a fire pit cover is one technique to keep moisture out of your fire pit. This guarantees protection from the weather outside during storms and other meteorological phenomena. A cover that matches your fire pit will make it simple to keep it dry, clean, and safe.
7. Air and proper ventilation is essential for any successful fire
Oxygen is the primary component that we frequently overlook but is essential to every successful fire. It’s crucial to avoid dousing the fire with oxygen. It’s an unwritten law that wood that is half an inch thick burns for one hour. Every inch of wood that is thicker than six inches burns for one hour. Remember that the next time you stack wood.
Proper ventilation of air can also be aided by varying stacking techniques. Try utilizing various heat conductors for your fire or think about utilizing a different stacked arrangement.
8. How you set up your fire pit display could play a role
Your fire pit’s durability and airflow may be negatively impacted by a tipi-style wood stack. Encouraging air to reach the center of your fire by stacking your wood in a tipi shape or a cone-like arrangement with a pointy tip. In this manner, air can sustain the fire. Additionally, for continuous warmth throughout the night, the fire will burn the bottom of the logs slowly—especially if you’re using hardwood—and let the top logs fall into the flames more gradually.
It also works to stack the wood in a boxed pattern. For long-lasting fires, the logs will burn slowly while maintaining optimal ventilation. Try using various configurations for the firewood to maintain the flames with little work.
9. Experiment with heat conductors
You might not be aware of some excellent materials to place in the bottom of your fire pit. Natural materials such as sand, small river boulders, lava rocks, and even excess ashes gathered throughout the night are excellent heat conductors and ventilators.
If a little flame needs more fuel to burn, extra ashes can be employed as heat conductors. To maintain the fire, cover the wood with ashes, being careful not to totally cover it as this will prevent air from passing through. Small river rocks are good heat conductors, they provide an entertaining and eye-catching bottom display, and they let air circulate between them to keep the fire going. Larger than a quarter rocks should be used with caution as they can overheat and explode.
A excellent approach to maintain the heat and allow for airflow is with gravel. Another excellent alternative is sand, which is inexpensive and simple to install but needs extra care because it can get mushy when it mixes with the ashes. Lastly, whether a fire pit is lined or unlined, lava rocks should always be placed at the bottom. They have an ostentatious appearance, are lightweight, compact, and require little upkeep because they don’t break or require cleaning. Compared to other materials, their perforated structure allows for perfect heat conduction and ventilation. Even though they can be more expensive, they will keep your fire burning brightly all night.
All materials will work with a gas fire pit to keep your fire going for a long time, but make sure you don’t hide your igniters or gas outlet. Gas fire pits also benefit greatly from the use of fire glass. They are easy to maintain, long-lasting, and visually appealing.
10. Keep grabbing more!
Keeping firewood on ready to grab when your fire starts to die out is, of course, the traditional, tried-and-true method to keep your fire blazing for hours. Although it’s not the best choice, it won’t let you down! Once more, having a log rack close by makes things the simplest and most handy to grab and go as needed. Invest in a firewood grip or other fire pit accessories to make moving the wood easier and to keep you clean and safe away from the flames, even though we advise trying out other strategies to help you unwind more and grab firewood less.
Never forget to completely put out or let go of the flames and embers at the end of the night before spending the night inside. No matter where you reside, safety is the most crucial factor when it comes to fires. Visit our blog post “3 Effective Ways to Put Out a Fire Pit” to find out how.
It’s not just you if you find yourself yearning to unwind and connect with loved ones over a campfire at this time of year! It’s the ideal time of year to laugh with loved ones and stay warm. To determine which strategy and combination best suits your needs both financially and spatially, we advise trying out a few different approaches. The next time you’re around a flaming feature with your friends and family, use these ten easy pointers to hone your fire pit skills and wow everyone by skillfully maintaining the fire for hours on end. Of course, don’t forget to savor one, two, or four roasted marshmallows!
