Outdoor Fire Pits such as the Grandstone Fire Pit have a convenient tabletop for setting plates and drinks.

The warmth and ambiance of a fire is natural draw for people to gather. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit can serve as terrific focal point for enjoying the company of family and friends.  It can instantly create a draw for a space that did not previously have an anchor. Outdoor fireplaces serve multiple functions from warmth, ambiance to cooking memorable meals.

Mantels Direct’s Buschbeck Cape Cod Outdoor Fireplace Kit includes a grill grate. For a limited time, receive a $200 discount with coupon code BBK200!

One of the most interesting outdoor fireplace designs that provides a great table side experience is our Buschbeck series. These European kits have the fire at table level and incorporate a cooking grate system along with shelve for food prep. Set-up of the outdoor fireplace kits are simple and can be done with two people within 1-2 hours. What a great way to enjoy a truly European alfresco experience in your own backyard with family and friends!

Eat Well Other fireplaces that combine great fire ambiance with cooking include:  Our Perfect Outdoor BBQ Edition Fireplace Kits, as well as some of our outdoor fire pits, include grill grates, which enable you to easily serve a delicious meal despite losing power.

Entertain the Kids  Nothing is better to enjoy the family and entertain the kids, then a outdoor experience with an fire. S’mores are a crowd pleaser for kids of all ages! An outdoor fireplace or a fire pit provides a great outdoor gathering spot for memorable experiences.

March has arrived and for many Americans this month signifies the arrival of perfect outdoor weather. As spring training starts and baseball teams begin to prepare for the coming summer, many families are starting to uncover their lawn furniture and sweep off their patios in preparation for the coming months. With this change in temperature comes the perfect opportunity to spruce up your outdoor space with a new outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Nothing brings together families and friends like a warm fire on a cool spring evening and now that the snow is melting and warm breezes are sweeping across the country you have the opportunity to enjoy all that spring has to offer.

For consumers interested in adding a fireplace to their outdoor living  space there are several factors to consider. How large a fireplace are you looking for? Do you want to build a permanent structure or are you looking for something more portable? Do you want to use a wood or gel fuel source? All of these factors are important in determining which type of outdoor fireplace best suits your needs.

For consumers looking to build a more permanent structure, units like the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace Collection provide excellent options. These units can be assembled in a single afternoon by even the most inexperienced individual, yet they still provide a beautiful, permanent structure that can become a focal point for your outdoor space. These fireplaces are perfect for burning wood or charcoal and they come in a variety of colors and finishes.

Another option for consumers looking to add a smaller, more portable unit to their space is a fire pit. Fire pits offer the warmth and ambiance of a backyard fireplace without the hassle of  constructing a large permanent structure. Units like the Dagan Copper Fire Pit are easily transported to different locations and positions on your patio so you can keep yourself warm on those cool spring nights and then easily store the unit in the summer when it is not being used.

This is an Apollo Table Top Fire Pit

A final option for individuals considering the addition of an outdoor fireplace are small table top units. Units like the Apollo Table Top Fire Pit offer a simple yet elegant solution for individuals looking to spruce up an outdoor space. These units fit perfectly in small seating areas or as center pieces for outdoor dining tables. They burn small gel canisters that slip easily into the unit and produce a brilliant, small flame that is perfect for adding just the right amount of ambiance to any outdoor space. Regardless of what your looking for, one thing is for certain, if you are looking to spruce up your outdoor space this spring, an outdoor fireplace is the perfect option for you.

Outdoor fireplaces are so closely linked with positive qualities such as beauty, warmth, and coziness that it’s easy to forget they also pose serious safety hazards if not used properly. Not only can burning embers and flying sparks escape from the firebox and threaten your deck, house, or yard, but the unit itself might tip over due to careless installation practices.

The potential dangers of home hearth products are essentially the same whether you’re talking about a full-sized fireplace or a small fire pit. To ensure the well-being of your family, guests, and property while enjoying your heating or cooking product, please observe the following safety tips.

• Do not leave a burning fire unattended. While some gas outdoor fireplaces have automatic shutoff systems, you won’t find this feature in a wood-burning unit or a fire pit. If you intend to leave the area for more than a few minutes, put the fire out.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, working hose, sand, or full buckets of water near the unit so that you can quickly douse any burning embers or sparks discharged from the firebox.
• Use a spark screen or other type of spark arrestor to contain burning embers.
• Properly maintain your fireplace or fire pit by cleaning it regularly. Poor maintenance habits can lead to clogged fuel lines or vents, which will in turn hinder safe operation.
• Make sure your hearth product is installed on a level, stable surface to prevent tipping. Some outdoor fireplaces weigh over 1,000 pounds, which presents a serious crushing hazard for furniture, pets, and people.
• Do not set up your unit near wooden structures, dry brush and leaves, electrical wires, or low overhanging branches.
• Store extra fuel, such as wood logs, charcoal, or propane tanks, in a clean, dry area well away from your hearth product.
• If you see signs of rust or other material degradation, it is time to replace the damaged part or the entire unit. Rusted fireboxes can easily collapse, leaving you with a burning heap of wood and ashes on your patio.
• Keep people and pets several feet away from the fireplace or fire pit to avoid being burned by sparks, embers, or leaping flames.

When proper precautions are taken, outdoor fireplaces are a wonderful means of enhancing your backyard. Please adhere to the above safety guidelines and read the operating manual provided by the manufacturer so you can enjoy your product without worry.

Outdoor entertaining is about creating a distinctive ambience. You want your guests to have all the comforts of the indoors, while at the same time providing a few unique touches that make the al fresco experience memorable. That’s one of the reasons why many hosts and hostesses choose to use a tabletop fire pit as a centerpiece instead of more traditional flowers or candles.

A tabletop fire pit is a compact unit that is as functional as it is beautiful. Not only does this product instantly add a touch of elegance to your outdoor dinner party, but it is also capable of keeping the immediate area warm thanks to its 9,000 to 12,000 BTU output—approximately the same amount as a small space heater. Plus, each piece is designed to occupy a prominent spot on the table without obstructing your guests’ views, thereby facilitating conversation and conviviality throughout the evening.

Here is a brief look at some of our most popular tabletop options.