# Guidelines for Buying a Wood-Burning Fire Pit

- Link: https://hearthsidepatio.com/fire-pits/guidelines-buying-wood-burning-fire-pit/
- Published: 2015-02-04T20:55:05-05:00
- Author: hearthsideri

One of the most underused entertainment areas of a home is the backyard. While a
great many Americans understand how awesome this spot can be for a party, many more
just think of it as a place for kids to play and a reason to buy a lawn mower. The
truth, however, is that a backyard can easily be transformed into a romantic retreat
for two or a festive event venue for hundreds.

### Camping at Home

One of the most romantic features a backyard can have is a fire pit. Whether built-
in or portable, fire pits add an elegance that is hard to match. Not only do these
features look amazing, but they can be the source of endless fun and great memories.
Whether people just want to cuddle up next to them, roast marshmallows, or tell 
ghost stories, fire pits are sure to bring friends and family together. Since there
are so many different types of fire pits on the market, we want to make picking 
the right one a little bit easier. Here are some guidelines to getting the right
pit for the right home!

### Pick the Right Fuel

When it comes to buying a fire pit, the first choice will be what kind of fuel it
burns. If the true campfire experience is an important component of why someone 
is looking for a fire pit, we highly recommend a wood-burning pit. While these may
not be as clean as gas-burning pits, they offer the same sights, sounds, and aromas
as a campfire.

### The Importance of Fire Screens

When buying a wood-burning fire pit, make sure it comes with a fire screen. These
are incredibly important safety features that make sure a good time by the fire 
doesn’t become an emergency situation. For anyone who has ever been around a campfire,
wood-burning stove, or wood-burning fire place, they have probably noticed that 
wood “pops” when it burns. This “popping” is due to the moisture and sap pockets
that naturally occur in wood. When those pockets heat up, the water and sap evaporate,
creating a pocket of steam that the wood can no longer contain. By making sure a
wood-burning fire pit has a fire screen, the chance of those “pops” burning someone
or starting a house fire decreases significantly.