Can anyone tell me where I can find info on kettle fire pits?

Question

I need to find a source for information regarding their safety compared to a fire pit that is dug into the ground. Are they more hazzardous or less? Is there more smoke? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Answer 1

We have had both and prefer a fire pit in the ground. The only advantage to a fire kettle is that they usually have a screen that can prevent most embers from escaping. The truth of the matter is that most people use them on wooden decks and popping embers will find their way through the screen and land on the deck. Eventually, you will see hundreds of small burn marks on the deck. There is no more smoke then a pit in the ground, but as with any open fire, people sitting downwind will be smoked out.

We have come to like a chiminea on our deck. We bought one with a chimney that is a little over six feet tall. This allows people to sit around the fire without being bothered by the smoke. The only drawbacks are that the wood must be cut unusually short in order to fit in to the chiminea and the fire can only be seen from the opening. No "sitting around the fire" in the traditional sense. We have also found that escaping embers are minimal compared to any other fireplace we have ever used.

Good luck with your fireplace.

Answer 2

Try motherearth news magazine...I'm not sure of thier e-mail address...but they are pretty up on that stuff. Do you mean a fire bowl? I've one of those. It works great!!! You put a screen over it so no timbers can fly. I use it often...good luck!