Advice for Purchasing an Outdoor Fireplace

If you are thinking about an outdoor fireplace, there are some considerations that need to be taken into account that you may not think about for a traditional internal fireplace. Firstly, you need to examine the size of the fire area you have as opposed to the height of fireplace you desire. If your firebox is small it will make purchasing wood much more difficult as you will need to request specially cut wood for the job.

You may find a good deal on a tall and thin firebox now but it will cost you much more in the long term, so for a lifelong fireplace investment choose a larger firebox. Even though you have a large firebox, you don’t necessarily need to have a large fire in it but you will always have the option there if you need it. You should also consider what design of outdoor fireplace you are looking for. The fire pit design, while tempting, tends to smoke much more than a proper outdoor fireplace and does not burn as efficiently. This is because there is little flow of air through the fire as opposed to a proper outdoor fireplace.

If you are looking for a bargain, you may be considering a sheet metal fireplace. It is important to remember with sheet metal outdoor fireplaces that you really will get what you pay for. Outdoor fireplaces made with commercial metals such as copper or steel may be less expensive than their aluminium or cast iron friends, but they are not really designed for long term use. If the metal is too thin it may melt, and the fireplace will be subject to rust which is a sign that it is well past its usefulness already.

There are also extra considerations with a cast iron fireplace. Some cast iron fireplaces come with sheet metal necks which will need replacing regularly. It is therefore a good idea to check the manufacturer for the cost of these parts and factor in replacements to your overall costs. Cast iron fireplaces will also need to be maintained to prevent rusting. If properly looked after, a cast iron fireplace can last you a very long time. Unfortunately these popular outdoor fireplaces will stain the surface they are standing on so make sure you plan out their location carefully and ensure you aren’t worried about the surface they are stood on. It’s a good idea to invest in special high temperature paint to slow down rusting and regular application can give your cast iron fireplace a longer life span.

The best choice for an outdoor fireplace is aluminium. It is a low maintenance variety of fireplace and has a long lifespan to boot. It also does no warp and tends not to rust or melt thanks to having a relatively high melting point. In addition to this, it is easier to move around if required than a cast iron fireplace as it is significantly lighter. It also does not discolour like a copper fireplace will when exposed to the elements.