Before You Light Your Fire Pit
A few minutes of preparation can help your fire start more easily while reducing smoke and improving safety.
Check Local Fire Rules
Before lighting your fire pit, confirm that recreational fires are allowed where you live. Some cities, counties and homeowner's associations have restrictions on open burning, especially during drought conditions or burn bans. If you're unsure, check with your local fire department or municipal government.
Watch the Weather
Avoid using a fire pit on windy days. Strong gusts can blow sparks and embers beyond the fire pit, making the fire difficult to control. If conditions become windy after you've started your fire, extinguish it safely.
Prepare a Safe Location
Place your fire pit on a level, noncombustible surface such as concrete, pavers or gravel. Keep it well away from your home, fences, low-hanging tree branches, patio furniture and anything else that could catch fire. Clear away dry leaves, pine needles and other debris before lighting your fire.
Have Safety Equipment Nearby
Keep a fire extinguisher, bucket of sand or garden hose nearby in case of emergency. Never leave a fire unattended and supervise children and pets whenever the fire pit is in use.
Always defer to your fire pit's manufacturer's instructions for set-up, operating and cleaning instructions. Recommendations vary by model.
What Can You Burn in a Fire Pit?
For most wood-burning fire pits, clean, dry seasoned hardwood is the best fuel. Woods like oak, maple, ash and birch burn longer, produce more heat and create less smoke than freshly cut or damp wood.
Avoid burning:
- Pressure-treated, painted or stained lumber
- Plywood, particleboard or manufactured wood products
- Trash, cardboard with coatings or food packaging
- Plastic, rubber or foam
- Leaves and yard waste
- Gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid or other liquid accelerants
These materials can release harmful chemicals, create excessive smoke or cause dangerous flare-ups.
What You'll Need
Having the right materials nearby makes building a fire much easier.
Fire Starter
Commercial fire starters are an easy, reliable option and are designed specifically for starting fires safely.
Tinder
Tinder catches fire first and helps ignite the kindling. Dry wood shavings, natural fire starter sticks or other dry natural materials work well.
Kindling
Kindling bridges the gap between the tinder and your firewood. Use dry twigs or split sticks about the diameter of a pencil.
Firewood
Use seasoned hardwood logs with a moisture content below about 20 percent. Dry firewood lights more easily, burns hotter and creates less smoke than green wood.
How to Build a Fire in a Fire Pit
The way you stack your fire effects how quickly it lights and how well it burns.
Teepee Fire
The teepee is one of the easiest methods for beginners.
- Place tinder in the center of the fire pit.
- Lean kindling around the tinder to form a cone.
- Arrange larger firewood around the outside while leaving space for airflow.
This method lights quickly and works well for most backyard fires.
Log Cabin Fire
- Build a small teepee of tinder and kindling.
- Place two firewood logs on opposite sides.
- Stack two more logs across them to create a square.
Repeat with additional layers while leaving room for airflow.
Top-Down Fire
How to Light and Extinguish a Fire Pit
How to Light a Fire Pit
Once everything is stacked, light the tinder with a long lighter or fireplace match. As the tinder burns, it should ignite the kindling. Once the kindling is burning steadily, the firewood will begin to catch. Resist the urge to add large logs too soon. Giving the fire time to establish itself creates a hotter, cleaner burn. If the fire begins to die, add additional kindling before placing more firewood on the flames.
How to Keep a Fire Going
As the logs burn down into glowing coals, add one or two pieces of seasoned firewood at a time. Overloading the fire pit can reduce airflow and create excess smoke. Avoid stacking logs above the rim of the fire pit. Keeping the fire contained helps reduce the chance of sparks escaping.
How to Put Out a Fire in a Fire Pit
Once only glowing embers remain:
- Spread the embers apart with a poker so they cool more quickly.
- Follow your fire pit manufacturer's instructions for extinguishing the fire.
- If water is recommended, pour it slowly over the embers while stirring until all hissing stops and everything is cool to the touch.
- Never leave hot embers unattended, even if they appear to be out.
For gas fire pits, turn the burner off according to the manufacturer's instructions and close the fuel supply if applicable. Never pour water into a gas fire pit.
Avoid constantly rearranging burning logs. A stable fire burns more efficiently and reduces flying sparks.
How to Clean a Fire Pit
Wait until the fire pit is completely cool before cleaning.
For wood-burning fire pits:
- Scoop ashes into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Store the container outdoors on a noncombustible surface until the ashes are completely cold before disposal.
- Brush away any remaining debris.
- Wipe the fire bowl with mild soap and water if recommended by the manufacturer.
For gas fire pits:
- Turn off the gas supply completely.
- Remove leaves or debris.
- Wipe exterior surfaces with a damp cloth.
- Inspect burner ports for blockages before your next use.
If your fire pit stays outdoors year-round, cover it when not in use to help protect it from moisture and extend its lifespan.
Now Go Enjoy Your Fire Pit
A well-built fire starts with the right materials and a little preparation. Using seasoned firewood, stacking it for good airflow and following basic fire safety practices helps you spend less time tending the fire and more time enjoying it. Whether you're gathering with friends or relaxing after sunset, Lowe's has the fire pits, firewood, fire starters and outdoor accessories to help you make the most of your backyard.