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2010-10-20 4:28 PM

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Pro
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Evanston,
Subject: Fire Pit Question
I'm thinking about getting a firepit (the kind raised off the ground, with a bowl) for a party @ my place next weekend.

Question:  is it safe to put one on grass, or is there a simple way to make a grass area safe?  I rent a house with a big grassy backyard.  The purpose of the firepit would be to extend the 'living' area available for the party; there may be a lot of people & the house itself is small.

Since the house is a rental and the party is next weekend, I cannot install a paved surface.  I could dig up an area and put down sand maybe - would that be necessary?   Other fire pit advice?

If it can't be done safely, I'll skip the fire pit and stick a couple of lights out there or something.  It's just an idea.

By the way:  y'all are invited.  Pumpkin carving, BYOP.


2010-10-20 4:36 PM
in reply to: #3163505

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question

I might suggest getting paver stones (as in for making a path) and putting them under the grass...

2010-10-20 5:02 PM
in reply to: #3163505

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Extreme Veteran
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Maple Grove,MN
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
Hose down the grass, I dont think you will have a problem with it
2010-10-20 5:09 PM
in reply to: #3163529

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Expert
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B'ham
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
Kido - 2010-10-20 2:36 PM

I might suggest getting paver stones (as in for making a path) and putting them under the grass...



I'd put the pavers on top of the grass.  We had a spot under the pit turn yellow on us this summer, but it came back.  We didn't have anything between the pit and the grass.
2010-10-20 5:27 PM
in reply to: #3163505

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Expert
2189
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Dodge County, MN (out in the corn)
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
We had a party last month and rented a patio heater.  It was pretty cheap (~$35) and did a great job of heating a space on the deck.  Looked like this.  Call your local rental place and see if they have something like that. 
2010-10-20 5:48 PM
in reply to: #3163505

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Expert
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West Palm Beach, FL
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
use some pavers or hose down the grass.  Be assured all nearby grasses will fry and die.


2010-10-20 6:26 PM
in reply to: #3163651

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Pro
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Evanston,
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
Spleen - 2010-10-20 6:48 PM use some pavers or hose down the grass.  Be assured all nearby grasses will fry and die.


Dead grass is okay.  Immaculate lawn is not my thing, I just keep the front nice enough so it's NOT the worst one on the block.  The back doesn't matter.  Thanks for the tips all!

2010-10-20 8:28 PM
in reply to: #3163505

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Master
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Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
those are safe, I used to have one that i used at my old condo, never had a "spill" issue.

have fun.

tiki torches put out great light as well.
2010-10-21 7:50 AM
in reply to: #3163505

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Champion
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the alamo city, Texas
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
CitySky - 2010-10-20 5:28 PM I'm thinking about getting a firepit (the kind raised off the ground, with a bowl) for a party @ my place next weekend.

Question:  is it safe to put one on grass, or is there a simple way to make a grass area safe?  I rent a house with a big grassy backyard.  The purpose of the firepit would be to extend the 'living' area available for the party; there may be a lot of people & the house itself is small.

Since the house is a rental and the party is next weekend, I cannot install a paved surface.  I could dig up an area and put down sand maybe - would that be necessary?   Other fire pit advice?

If it can't be done safely, I'll skip the fire pit and stick a couple of lights out there or something.  It's just an idea.

By the way:  y'all are invited.  Pumpkin carving, BYOP.


My neighbors and I do this all the time, just set it in the yard, set some camp chairs around it, keep the beer close cause once you are away from that fire it gets cold.
2010-10-21 7:58 AM
in reply to: #3163505

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Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question

If you are having a bit of dry weather, check with your local (county/city) to make sure that no outdoor burning restrictions are in place. Around here, when the weather gets dry it is not unusual for burn bans to be issued. Also, keep a bucket or two of water on hand just in case.

I have a in-ground fire-pit, and we (and the dogs) enjoy it greatly.

2010-10-21 8:59 AM
in reply to: #3163505

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Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question

Those who have a fire pit - which do you prefer wood or gas?



2010-10-21 9:09 AM
in reply to: #3164527

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Champion
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the alamo city, Texas
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
wingsfan - 2010-10-21 9:59 AM

Those who have a fire pit - which do you prefer wood or gas?



wood!  but i like smelling like a campfire.
2010-10-21 9:13 AM
in reply to: #3164527

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Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
wingsfan - 2010-10-21 9:59 AM

Those who have a fire pit - which do you prefer wood or gas?



Wood.
The best are old syrup cooking pots. 
These used to be dirt cheap (but heavy as hell) now they are pricey.
Keep you eyes open and occasionally you might see one by an old barn or flee market.
Now people are fabricating them.

Do this once and you are likely to want it to be a permanent fixture in your yard.
Tis very nice... 



(5-Nicholson-Kettle-Collection.jpg)



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2010-10-21 9:45 AM
in reply to: #3163505

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Master
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"Home of Superman"
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question

Use pavers, easy to store and you  don't have to worry about them catching fire.

Wood BABE!

2010-10-21 9:58 AM
in reply to: #3163505

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Champion
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Urbandale, IA
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
Also - check with your local government to make sure fire pits are allowed. 

Our stupid city government passed an ordinance that says that you cannot burn a firepit.  

We mostly just ignore the rule, as do the police.  I talked to one officer and they said it was a good way to catch kids having parties when their parents weren't home.  No mess in the house for the parents to find when they get home. 
2010-10-21 10:02 AM
in reply to: #3164527

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PA
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
wingsfan - 2010-10-21 9:59 AM

Those who have a fire pit - which do you prefer wood or gas?



I would prefer that you had gas.  The fire would destroy the smell before it got to me.  Sitting around the fire with wood is not acceptable at my party.



2010-10-21 3:09 PM
in reply to: #3163505

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Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question

Any raised fire pit will most likely kill the grass under it.  I had one, it was fine, then I decided to splurge on 16 landscape blocks and now I have a landscape block fire pit.  Works great.

The oddity it around here there are two large cities.  One allows open fires for recreation the other does not and only allows them for cooking.  Hence when we go there and have a fire, we always end up eating s'mores.

2010-10-21 3:45 PM
in reply to: #3163505

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
We have a fire pit and use it on the dock.  A fair number of live cinders lift off from the fire and land on the decking so I put down beach towels and wet them to hold some moisture.  The decking is aluminum so I am mainly protecting the dock from cosmetic damage not from a fire.  It takes about 6 good-sized towels.  If your fire pit is an open wrought iron stand like ours, you could rewet under the pit as the fire burns.  The moisture might protect your grass some.

A fire starter log and five or six medium size logs is all it takes.  It is a great way to spend a fall evening.  You lie back in the lawn chair and watch the stars come out.  I am not sure what other people do for entertainment.

Do check if an outdoor burn permit is required.  Always have a hose that reaches the fire pit area.  A bucket of water is a good idea too.

TW
2010-10-21 7:15 PM
in reply to: #3164527

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Saint Simons Island, GA
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
wingsfan - 2010-10-21 9:59 AM

Those who have a fire pit - which do you prefer wood or gas?



Definitely prefer wood, and cans of Krylon spray paint.  Wow, talk about a huge flame.  You have to watch out for the fall-out though, I've got buddies that have walked around for days with bits of black spray paint in their hair.  Also, the paint can be kind of hot if it comes into contact with your skin.  If you really want to have fun, see if you can't find an old x-mas tree.  Those will create a flame at least two stories high.  Primers for shotgun shells also work pretty well, just don't put them in bottles.  We get pretty bored around here...
2010-10-21 7:19 PM
in reply to: #3165956

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Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
gwmeader - 2010-10-21 8:15 PM
wingsfan - 2010-10-21 9:59 AM

Those who have a fire pit - which do you prefer wood or gas?



Definitely prefer wood, and cans of Krylon spray paint.  Wow, talk about a huge flame.  You have to watch out for the fall-out though, I've got buddies that have walked around for days with bits of black spray paint in their hair.  Also, the paint can be kind of hot if it comes into contact with your skin.  If you really want to have fun, see if you can't find an old x-mas tree.  Those will create a flame at least two stories high.  Primers for shotgun shells also work pretty well, just don't put them in bottles.  We get pretty bored around here...


 That's what I liiiiiike about the south Laughing
2010-10-21 8:31 PM
in reply to: #3165959

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Pro
4292
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Evanston,
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
RiverRat50 - 2010-10-21 8:19 PM
gwmeader - 2010-10-21 8:15 PM
wingsfan - 2010-10-21 9:59 AM

Those who have a fire pit - which do you prefer wood or gas?



Definitely prefer wood, and cans of Krylon spray paint.  Wow, talk about a huge flame.  You have to watch out for the fall-out though, I've got buddies that have walked around for days with bits of black spray paint in their hair.  Also, the paint can be kind of hot if it comes into contact with your skin.  If you really want to have fun, see if you can't find an old x-mas tree.  Those will create a flame at least two stories high.  Primers for shotgun shells also work pretty well, just don't put them in bottles.  We get pretty bored around here...


 That's what I liiiiiike about the south Laughing


Thanks for all the great advice!  This is also good reminder for me tell my guests that all their costumes should involve copious use of hairspray, preferably AquaNet.

And thanks for all of the (other) good advice in this thread all.  Couldn't find anything in the local codes about it, so i'm going to figure that the good freedom-loving people of Oklahoma will let me do this.  Also looks like I'm clear on the state/county burn bans:  (Edit:  ok, I can't get the link to work, but the state map shows all of the counties white, meaning no state or county bans in effect.)


Edited by CitySky 2010-10-21 8:34 PM


2010-10-21 10:10 PM
in reply to: #3163505

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
Fire on the Water



2010-10-22 7:58 AM
in reply to: #3163505

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question

Holy Huge Pic, Batman!

Is that at SML?

2010-10-22 8:30 AM
in reply to: #3166412

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PA
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
ride_like_u_stole_it - 2010-10-22 8:58 AM

Holy Huge Pic, Batman!

Is that at SML?



Awesome!  My camera doesn't have a setting that takes pics in "actual size" like that.
2010-10-25 10:40 AM
in reply to: #3165567

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Champion
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Eat Cheese or Die
Subject: RE: Fire Pit Question
MNGopher - 2010-10-21 3:09 PM

Any raised fire pit will most likely kill the grass under it.  I had one, it was fine, then I decided to splurge on 16 landscape blocks and now I have a landscape block fire pit.  Works great.

The oddity it around here there are two large cities.  One allows open fires for recreation the other does not and only allows them for cooking.  Hence when we go there and have a fire, we always end up eating s'mores.



Our city has the cooking stipulation as well. It just means we "have" to have smores every time we have a fire.
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