To create a unique and inviting retreat, consider a Buschbeck Outdoor Fireplace.  These beautiful pieces have a modern appeal and can help you create the perfect spot to sit and relax after a long day.  Not only can you enjoy the soothing flames, but dinner can simmer over the fire on the grill accessory while you rest in your favorite lounge chair.

Enjoy the contemporary design of the Malibu outdoor fireplace grill.

With four designs to choose from (Aspen, Cape Cod, San Remo & Malibu) you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect outdoor fireplace grill for your back yard. These beautiful units are crafted in Germany and feature quality construction.  Steel reinforced concrete and quartz compounds make the fireplaces incredibly durable.    The outside features a smooth, pebbled exterior with some units featuring copper accents.  Each unit is completely finished at the factory so no painting is required at installation.

The special construction of Buschbeck fireplace barbecue stoves ensure a high level of safety as only those parts of the firebox made from refractory concrete come in contact with the open flame.  These units are designed so air is constantly circulating between the outer skin and the five-part-furnace area.

Installation of a Buschbeck outdoor fireplace is simple – only two people are needed and no special tools.  The unit arrives securely packaged and can be assembled quickly and easily.  Special adhesive is included with each unit to further secure the parts during assembly.  Once installed, regular maintenance is a snap – just hose the unit down on an as needed basis.

Enjoy your favorite grilled food in style with the Cape Cod Outdoor Fireplace

Double walled construction allows the option to burn wood or charcoal, depending on your personal preference.  A grilling rack slides easily in and out so you can cook with ease.  Additionally, there is a removable ember bed tray to help facilitate easy cleaning.

Built to last, these outdoor patio fireplaces will still look fresh and new after many years of use.  Create a relaxing and functional focal point in your outdoor space with a Bushbeck outdoor fireplace.

We recently featured the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace Kit in one of our blog postings a few weeks back. However, this time I’d like to go into a little more detail about its construction by first sharing a new Perfect Outdoor Fireplace Assembly Video. This great, informative, step-by-step assembly video shows just how easy it is to construct your own outdoor fireplace with just the assistance of one other person. Additionally, I wanted to remind everyone that while these outdoor fireplaces look great on their own, they are also fully customizable. You can add stone, rock, brick, decorative cement elements etc, to make a stunning, one-of-a-kind fireplace.

Let’s take a look at these great customer submitted photos and descriptions which show a custom stone installation on the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace BBQ Edition Kit.

Step 1: Prep Your Patio or Deck.  This customer chose to extend the deck to create a wooden platform for his outdoor fireplace.

Base Construction – Perfect Outdoor Fireplace

Step 2: Assemble the Base. Four stone pieces make up the base of the fireplace.

Base & Fire Box Assembly – Perfect Outdoor Fireplace

Step 3: Build the Walls. The thick, fire resistant walls are supported by 4 stone pillars.  This customer ordered the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace BBQ Edition Kit, as can be seen by the side slots for the grill grate.

Step 4: Add the Top Vent. The hood vent easily mounts on the top of the fireplace. This piece serves to protect the inside firebox, as well as direct the smoke away from your outdoor living space.

Assembled Perfect Outdoor Fireplace w/ custom stonework installation

Step 5: Personalize with Brick or Stone. As mentioned earlier, the unit looks great as is but can also be customized with brick or stone for a truly unique look. With just a little extra work, this customer transformed his Perfect Outdoor Fireplace into a stunningly beautiful stone fireplace.

Completed Perfect Outdoor Fireplace with custom stonework

Building and customizing your Perfect Outdoor Fireplace is so easy that just about anyone can do it. With just a few easy-to-follow instructions you too can be enjoying a new, customized or not, fireplace in your own backyard.

Winter’s chill is finally fading and the smell of spring is in the air. It’s time to start thinking about transitioning from our indoor living spaces to their outdoor counterparts. There’s nothing like being outside to help rejuvenate and relax. But when evening comes and temperatures dip just below your comfort level, wouldn’t it be nice to have something to keep you warm and extend the amount of time you can spend outdoors? Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are the perfect way to bring heat and visual appeal to your outdoor living spaces.

The Perfect Outdoor Fireplace is easy to assemble and creates a stunning visual impact to your outdoor living space.

An outdoor fire place is a great way to update your outdoors, no matter what size area you have to work with. You can easily transform your patio’s look and functionality while maximizing your ability to entertain family and friends both day and night. Just imagine an outdoor barbeque that turns into a relaxing evening under the stars with the warm ambient glow of a crackling fire.  With a variety of sizes and styles to choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect option for your needs and taste.

Our most popular outdoor fireplace, and most appropriately named, is the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace. This unit offers three styles to choose from: 3 Sided Screened, See Thru Screened, and BBQ Edition and is available in Pewter, Sandstone, Tan, and Taupe finishes. Crafted of heat dissipating stone, the fireplace will never crack, no matter what the temperature outside – making it ideal for year-round enjoyment. Its modular design makes assembly a breeze with easy to follow instructions and no mortar required.

If you are looking for something that doesn’t have such a large footprint, perhaps an outdoor fire pit is a better fit. They are one of the fastest growing trends in outdoor design, mainly for their versatility and portability. Fire pits come in a variety of sizes, shapes, styles and price ranges, appealing to most any design taste. Typically constructed of cast iron, copper, stainless steel, aluminum and ceramic, these products are designed to withstand the elements, giving you years of all-season enjoyment. Most fire pits are fueled one of two ways, either wood burning or gas/propane. The gas/propane units either have ceramic logs, lava rock or colored glass for a more contemporary look.

Some of our favorite designs come from the manufacturer Fire Pit Art. These beautifully crafted fire pits are constructed of high quality materials making them incredibly durable. What we really like about these units are their unique artistic designs which set them off from most other fire pits currently out there. The Asia, is one of our most popular items and was recently featured in the TODL design newsletter. It features clean lines and a minimalism design. The Asia is available in several sizes and is hand-crafted from solid carbon steel.

The Asia Artisan Steel Fire Pit’s dramatic design will bring elegance and interest to your back yard.

No matter what look you are going for, you won’t be disappointed. With an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, your back yard entertaining will be taken to an entirely new level. Enjoy great company well into the evening hours while basking in the warm glow of a peacefully, relaxing fire. 

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.

We recently posted an article about the ease of adding an outdoor fireplace to your living space by using a Perfect Outdoor Fireplace Kit.  Since that post, a customer sent us several before, during, and after pictures of their outdoor fireplace project that we wanted to share with you.  The outdoor fireplace kit used in for the project shown below is the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace BBQ Edition Kit, which comes with a removable grill grate.

Step 1: Prep Your Patio or Deck. An outdoor fireplace looks good nearly anywhere, and our outdoor fireplace kits can adapt to any outdoor space. This customer extended his deck to create a wooden platform for his outdoor fireplace.

Step 2: Assemble the Base. Four stone pieces easily assembled to create the base of the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace. The stone was clearly labeled to make assembly clear and easy.

Step 3: Build the Walls. Our outdoor fireplaces are anchored by four corner pillars and supported by thick, clearly labeled walls.  This customer ordered the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace BBQ Edition Kit, as you can see by the side slots for the grill grate.

Art is defined in several ways.  Many people regard it as a hobby- something that you dabble in every now and then, when you have time.  Other people, such as fire pit sculptor Rick Wittrig, see it differently.  To them, art is a lifestyle, a form of expression, and a source of fulfillment for themselves and others.

Wittrig, or “Fire Pit Rick”, creates handcrafted steel fire pits in his hometown of Lebanon, Tennessee, just a short drive from our Alabama office.  Appropriately named Fire Pit Art, his creations celebrate nature and outdoor living. Mantels Direct carries a diverse selection of Wittrig’s Fire Pit Art, including the classic Nepal Outdoor Fire Pit, the exquisite Manta Ray model, and the jovial Funky Dog Outdoor Fire Pit.  The steel outdoor fire pits are handcrafted by Wittrig and individually numbered on a small brass plaque attached to the base.  Each fire pit is unique and a sure conversation piece, perfect for any outdoor space.

In addition to being beautiful and one-of-a-kind, these artisan outdoor fire bowls are functional and strong.  They are made from ¼” thick solid carbon steel, are adaptable to all climates, and can be left outside year-round.  The firepits are installed quickly and easily adapt to propane or natural gas.  All designs include a 10-year warranty and free shipping in the continental USA.

Visit Mantels Direct today to learn more about these magnificent artisan outdoor firepits and upgrade your outdoor space with a unique piece of American art.

As summer approaches, many consumers are searching for a way to add the ambiance of a fireplace to their outdoor space. Unfortunately for many consumers, the prospect of completing the installation of a outdoor fireplace can be very intimidating. Many consumers worry that installing an outdoor fireplace will have to involve hours of lifting bricks and spreading pounds of mortar. Fortunately for these individuals who are interested in the look and feel of a permanent fireplace structure without the arduous labor, outdoor fireplace kits provide the perfect solution. Units like the ones included in the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace Series provide the look and feel of a permanent structure without the laborious task of constructing a unit out of brick and mortar.

This is an example of an outdoor fireplace kit

A Perfect Outdoor Fireplace can easily be constructed in a single afternoon. These units can handle the burning of a variety of fuel sources including gas, wood and charcoal. The construction of these units is completed by simply sliding the multiple components together. When constructing your fireplace, it is important to remember to be careful with the individual blocks. Although the unit as a whole is very steady and strong once it is constructed, the individual blocks that make up the unit can easily be broken if they are dropped or slammed together. Make sure when handling the individual blocks you move slowly and treat them almost like glass. This will ensure that none of the blocks break and that the completion of your beautiful, new fireplace is not delayed due to the ordering of individuals pieces.

This is an example of an Outdoor Fireplace and Grill

In addition to the ambiance they provide, many outdoor fireplace kits can also be used as Barbecues. Units like this Cape Cod Outdoor Fireplace are perfect for grilling with family and friends. With multiple height settings for your grill rack, this unit can be used to grill a large variety of meals. It’s durable design complete with components that are reinforced with steel, ensure that this fireplace grill will last a lifetime. Regardless of the plans you have for your outdoor space one fact is for certain, an outdoor fireplace kit is the perfect way to give your patio a level of versatility and ambiance that you and family are sure to enjoy.

As winter melts into spring, people across the U.S. have begun to migrate out of their living rooms and into their backyards. Blooming flowers and green trees have drawn home owners out of their wintery slumbers and onto back porches and front patios everywhere. Unfortunately, many homeowners find that in the early months of spring the chilly night air forces them indoors and away from their grassy yards and backyard bar-b-ques.  In order to make full use of their outdoor space, many consumers decide to purchase an outdoor fire pit to provide their family and friends with a warm place to gather on cool spring evenings. Despite their convenience, many homeowners struggle with the decision of what type of outdoor fire pit best suits their needs.

For individuals who are hoping to give their outdoor space a more formal ambiance, a fire pit table is often an excellent choice. Fire pit tables are larger units that often offer consumers a substantial amount of counter space in addition to the convenience of a fire pit. These units often run off of a gas fuel source and they can provide the perfect center piece for a dinner party. Glasses and serving dishes can conveniently be placed on these units so that your guest are not constantly in search of a location to put down their beverages or rest their plates.

Outdoor fire pits also come in smaller sizes. These units often consist of two or three parts. The central part of the fire pit design is the metal basin that contains the wood for your fire. These units also have a stand with legs attached to them so that they sit off of the ground and at an optimal height for creating the right amount of warmth for the individuals seated around the fire pit. In addition, many smaller, wood burning fire pits come with a screen or metal dome that can prevent large embers from flying through the air. In some cases, these domes can be decorative and provide a beautiful centerpiece for the outdoor space where the fire pit is located.

Bonfire Celebration Fire Pit Dome

Regardless of your needs, the variety of outdoor fire pits available to consumers is sure to include a unit that can fit your outdoor space perfectly. Whether you are looking forward to fancy dinner parties by the pool or a relaxed evening with the kids, the wide variety of outdoor fire pits includes a style that can help create your ideal, outdoor space.

The days of entertaining outdoors are quickly approaching and nothing welcomes Spring like a stylish, customizable outdoor fireplace.  There is often a misconception that the installation of an outdoor fireplace will take many hours of backbreaking labor. In fact, Perfect Outdoor Fireplace Kits feature interlocking construction, which allows for quick and easy set up without mortar, glue, or fasteners. This type of outdoor fireplace is also very easy to customize, simply add your own brick or stone for a unique finish that will match your specific outdoor décor. These Perfect Outdoor Fireplace Kits are available in many styles including the BBQ Edition, See Thru Edition, and 3-Screen Edition.

The units include:

• Modular Design – Fast, Easy Assembly. No Mortar Needed! (move later if desired)
• No Brick or Stone Coating Required – Looks great in any of our 8 Colors OR add your own brick or stone for a custom look
• Available in a BBQ/Fireplace unit, See Thru unit or 3 Screen unit
• Multiple Door Options – Choose between 5 great looking Door Handle Designs
• Strong, Durable, Heat-Dissipating Stone – eliminates the problems associated with concrete/cement when exposed to extreme temperatures

So as the weather warms and back yards across the country begin to fill up with families and friends, there really is no excuse to deprive yourself of a beautiful outdoor fireplace.

If you love outdoor fireplaces but are concerned about the smoky emissions they emit every time they’re used, then you might want to consider purchasing a unit that runs on gel fuel. Gel fuel is an environmentally friendly product that is made from isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, plus some thickeners to provide additional stability. The resulting flammable concoction burns cleanly, releasing almost no smoke, odors, soot, or other harmful pollutants.

While converting from a natural gas or wood-burning unit to a gel fuel fireplace would be a great way to reduce the carbon footprint created by your evenings of backyard entertainment, that’s not the only reason to make the switch. Gel fuel outdoor fireplaces are also very attractive units that are far easier to operate and maintain than traditional hearth products because there is no mess and therefore no cleanup required.

We carry a vast selection of clean-burning gel fuel fireplace models in a variety of styles and sizes here at MantelsDirect.com, including the following:

• Sierra by Real Flame. This is a lovely pagoda style unit made from cast concrete and powder-coated steel. The flame burns over a bed of decorative lava rocks and logs, and features a crackling effect for greater authenticity. A pull-out drawer holds up to four cans of gel fuel, while a convenient extinguishing lever helps you put out the fire quickly. This model is available in black or copper finish.
• Allure Sedona Tabletop Fire Pit. The Allure Sedona Tabletop model is a lightweight product that can be placed on any table or stand, and is therefore recommended if you’re looking for something small and portable. It incorporates Venturi Flame technology to produce a mesmerizing “dancing fire” or swirling flame effect that is sure to enthrall you and your guests for hours on end.
• Real Flame Modesto. This Modesto freestanding design is another of the great Real Flame outdoor fireplaces we carry. At just over three feet tall and made from fiber-cast concrete and glass, the unit comes with a column, glass cover, decorative river rock, burn cup and snuffer tool. It can be used indoors or out, and would look just as beautiful in your living room or den as in your backyard.
• Inspiration Silver Vein. For a truly stunning fireplace, check out the Inspiration Silver Vein model. Constructed of weather- and corrosion-resistant aluminum and stainless steel, this product sets up in minutes thanks to the included wall anchor kit. The swirling Venturi Flame burns over a bed of diamond-glass crystals for a brilliant effect that complements any décor.

Gel fuel outdoor fireplaces are the way to go when you want a clean-burning, maintenance-free hearth product that doesn’t require any kind of ventilation system. Be sure to view our entire collection at MantelsDirect.com and purchase an eco-friendly fireplace that fits your lifestyle today.