How to Put Out a Fire Pit Fire Safely and Properly

A fire pit is a beautiful addition to your patio or backyard. But they can also be dangerous if not used properly. The good news is there are simple ways to prevent fires and put out the flames quickly in case it happens anyway! This guide will teach you how to put out a burning fire safely and identify potential safety hazards that you should avoid.,

The “how to put out a fire in a metal fire pit” is a process that can be done safely and properly. This article will teach you how to do it.

Fire pits are a useful, entertaining, and attractive addition to any backyard, but if not utilized correctly, they may become severe fire dangers. The good news is that backyard fires caused by fire pits may be avoided if they are used carefully and properly extinguished. You may also follow the rules for domestic fire pits.

How can you safely and effectively put out a fire in a fire pit?

1. Allow the firewood to burn until it is reduced to ash.
2. To cool the ashes, carefully pour water over them.
3. To spread the water and keep the ashes cold, mix them together.
4. Remove the ashes from the fire and place them in a metal bucket until they are no longer burning or heated. 

At least 5,300 injuries connected to fire pits or outdoor heaters were treated in emergency departments throughout the United States in 2017, which is almost three times the amount of injuries documented only eight years before. (source)

In this article, I’ll show you not only how to properly put out a fire in your fire pit, but also some fundamental safety precautions that will keep you and your family safe.

Contents Table of Contents

• How to Extinguish a Wood-Burning Fire Pit
• Why not try a gas fire pit?
• Safety Tips for Using a Fire Pit
• Safety Concerns with Gas Fire Pits
• Safety Concerns with Gas Fire Pits versus Wood Fire Pit: Which is Better and Safer?
• The Remainder

How to Extinguish a Wood-Burning Fire Pit

First and foremost, let’s discuss how to put out a fire in a wood-burning fire pit. It’s time to put out the fire after a good evening spent outdoors by your wood burning fire pit, so you can go to night knowing that your backyard is safe and secure.

It’s critical to totally extinguish the flames in your fire pit to avoid an unintentional backyard fire and to keep you, your family, and your property safe and unharmed. It takes a bit more time and work to get it properly, but it’s definitely worth it.

Materials Required to Extinguish a Wood-Burning Fire Pit

You’ll need a few materials to put out a fire in a wood-burning fire pit. It’s preferable to have them ready to go before starting the fire so you don’t have to leave it to look for them.

• Water in a huge bucket
• a shovel made of metal
• Ashes container made of metal
• To fill the water bucket, a hose and spigot are required (optional)

How to Put Out a Fire in a Wood Burning Fire Pit: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Allow the wood to burn down to ash before attempting to put out the fire. Don’t pile more wood in your fire pit than you’ll be able to burn in a fair length of time. You don’t need to maintain a fire raging since the fire pit will continue to provide warmth long after the logs have gone to ash.
2. In the fire pit, spread the ashes out. The ashes will cool quicker if they are spread out.
3. Slowly and gently pour water over the ashes. As you pour, steam will escape from the ashes, so pour from a safe distance away to prevent being burned by the steam. A sizzling sound will be produced by the ashes. This is very normal and to be anticipated.
4. Pour water over all of the ashes, not just the ones that seem to be burning. Regardless of how they seem, all of the ashes are hot and must be cooled. Pour until the sizzling stops and you’re certain that all of the ashes have been extinguished.
5. With your shovel, stir the ashes to ensure that they are completely moist and extinguished.
6. To verify whether the ashes are emitting any heat, place your palm over them without touching them. If the ashes are still warm, add additional water and stir until they are no longer heated. You may also wait for them to cool if you have the time.
7. Inspect the area around the fire pit to ensure that no embers or hot ash have escaped. It’s crucial to inspect the surrounding environment since even a little amount of hot ash might start a fire under the correct circumstances.
8. Once the ashes have cooled fully, scoop them up and store them in a metal pail for a few days to guarantee that they are actually extinguished and will not spark a deadly fire in your garden.
9. You may add the ashes to your compost after a few days to help generate nutrient-rich soil.

Additional Guidelines for Extinguishing a Fire in a Wood-Burning Fire Pit

Your safety, as well as the safety of people who use your fire pit, is paramount. So here are some safety guidelines to remember at all times:

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• The process of putting out a fire begins long before you’re ready to do so. Before you start the fire, gather your resources for putting it out.
• If you’re not willing to stay up all the night with the fire, don’t feed it too much wood or add logs late in the evening.
• The ash will remain hot long after the logs have been consumed. You don’t necessary need extra logs to keep the fire warm if you’re just using it for warmth.
• To ignite a fire, do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, or kerosene. These fuels may easily spread a fire out of control. When you douse the ashes with water, they will likewise run away from the fire pit. 
• It is not a good idea to keep ashes in your fire pit since they might corrode it.

Why not try a gas fire pit?

It’s considerably easier to put out a fire in a gas fire pit. It’s as simple as turning it off. However, if you’ve placed glass or rocks around the fire, you’ll need to wait for them to cool before replacing the lid.

The majority of the materials used in gas fireplaces will cool quickly, but you must wait until they are cold to the touch. Allow your hand to hover above the glass or stones to begin. It’s advisable to put the cover on later if they’re emitting heat.

This is primarily for the purpose of preventing heat damage to your cover rather than a fire threat. Gas fire pits are generally safe and simple to operate, with the exception of issues such as gas leakage.

Safety Tips for Using a Fire Pit

When you have a backyard fire pit, making sure you put out the fire safely and correctly is one of the most crucial safety measures you can take, but there’s more to fire pit safety than that.

Before you even light your first flame, you need to know how to operate a fire pit properly. I’ll go over everything you need to know about using your fire pit safely in this part.

Choosing a Site for Your Fire Pit

Choosing the perfect location for your fire pit can go a long way toward ensuring that you and your property are safe while utilizing one.

• Always double-check with the local authorities to ensure that you’re following the rules. Some municipalities prohibit the usage of backyard fire pits, while others may impose restrictions.
• Any outside buildings, your house, surrounding plants, and low-hanging trees should be at least 10-20 feet away from the fire pit.
• Place or construct your fire pit on flat ground. If the ground under your fire pit is uneven, it may tilt, and the logs may roll away from the pit. Obviously, this is not a good idea.
• Always choose a non-flammable surface for your fire pit, such as an open patio, bricks, or concrete.
• A fire pit should not be used on a wooden deck or near dry grass.
• A fire pit should not be placed inside an enclosure or under anything with an overhang or roof. This implies that a campfire cannot be placed under a pavilion, gazebo, or pergola.

Materials to Burn in a Fire Pit That Are Safe

Because this is what a fire pit is supposed to burn, wood will always be the greatest option, but you can’t simply burn any old wood. A hardwood like oak, sycamore, or maple that has been seasoned for six months, if not longer, is the ideal wood to burn.

Wood that has been cut and left to cure over time is known as seasoned wood. If you don’t let the wood to season, it will retain too much moisture to ignite or burn effectively, and it will produce a lot of smoke when burned. When it comes to seasoning firewood, it’s critical to store and stack it correctly so that it doesn’t mold or decay.

Softwoods should not be used since they will emit sparks. Utilize a screen to block the sparks from exiting the fire pit if you want to use softwood.

The diameter of the firewood should not exceed three-quarters of the pit’s diameter. 

Never Burn the Following Materials in a Fire Pit:

• When burnt, plywood, composite woods, and pressure-treated timbers emit hazardous gases.
• Plastic will create a mess in your fire pit and emit hazardous odors.
• Accelerants such as lighter fluid or gasoline may be dangerous, and if you use water to cool the ashes, the water will flow off into the area around your fire pit, posing additional danger.
• River stones should not be used in your fire pit since they might explode at high temperatures.

11 Safety Tips for Using Your Fire Pit Once You’re Up and Burning

Once you’ve started your fire, there are a few extra safety precautions to keep in mind so that you may relax and enjoy your fire pit without anxiety.

1. Never leave a fire pit alone while there is a fire or hot ash in it after it has been lit.
2. If you’re entertaining with children or dogs, be sure to keep an eye on them. You’ll need to move them away from the fire pit or put out the flames if they’re not being safe around it.
3. A fire pit screen is an excellent purchase for making your fire pit safer. A screen will restrict embers and ashes from escaping the fire pit. If you prefer to burn softwoods like cedar, a fire pit cover is extremely vital. 
4. Keep a pail of water, sand, or a garden hose handy to extinguish any embers that may re-ignite. Use a nozzle with a spray setting if you intend to use a hose to put out any burning embers. A straight jet of water may spread sparks, causing more damage than benefit.
5. Always have a pair of fire gloves on hand. 
6. Invest on substantial outdoor chairs or outdoor furniture that is stationary. This style of furniture will keep your visitors from approaching the fire too closely.
7. Place the seats in such a way that people can get up and walk about without falling into the fire. 
8. A fire blanket may be used to extinguish sparks or, in the worst-case situation, to rescue someone whose clothing has caught fire.
9. Keep a properly charged, dry-chemical fire extinguisher with a Class B and C or multifunctional rating near by at all times. It is not enough to have a fire extinguisher nearby; you must also know how to utilize it.
10. When there’s a lot of wind, don’t utilize your fire pit. You should aim for a day with a wind speed of less than 15 miles per hour. It’s probably too windy if the trees are shaking in the wind.
11. Maintain a first-aid kit in a convenient position.

Safety Concerns with Gas Fire Pits

In general, all of the rules that apply to a wood-burning fire pit apply to a gas fire pit as well, but there are some additional safety issues to be aware of while utilizing a gas fire pit.  

• If you want to connect your fire pit to your main gas supply, you’ll need a competent installer or gas provider to install the pipe assembly, and they’ll be able to connect the fire pit to the gas supply.
• Indoors or in enclosed locations, portable gas fire pits are not recommended.
•  Installing a gas fire pit near a power source, beneath power cables, or over utility lines is never a good idea. 
• The biggest risk with gas fire pits is a gas leak, something you don’t have to worry about with a wood burning fire pit. Do not start the fire pit if you even suspect you smell gas.
• Make sure your gas system is checked and maintained at the intervals suggested by your gas supplier. 
• If your gas fire pit is hooked up to a propane tank, be sure to check the tank and the rest of the system for leaks on a regular basis.

Whether you’re dealing with propane or Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used, there are a few things to keep in mind.

While a gas fire pit eliminates the need to split firewood, you must still supply fuel to your gas fire pit. The most common fuels for fire pits are propane or Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used.

Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used and propane cannot be used interchangeably in gas fire pits. To create the same flame as a propane burner, a Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used burner requires higher gas flow. 

Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used

Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used is a naturally odorless gas that is mostly composed of methane gas. The smell of gas is added later, enabling you to detect a leak. 

If you use a Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used fire pit, it will need to be attached to your home’s gas lines because Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used cannot be stored in tanks. If you want to use Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used, then you will need to have your gas fire pit professional connected to your homes gas lines.

Although it can increase the cost of installing the fire pit, using a Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used fire pit is very convenient as you will never run out of gas and have to make a last-minute run to fuel up a tank.

Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used is safer than propane because it is less dense than air, which means it rises when released from its tank.

Propane

Propane is a liquefied petroleum gas that, once discharged from its tank, reverts to a gas. A basic 20-pound tank is required for most fire pits. Propane is available in a variety of tank sizes, and propane fire pits do not need any specific installation and function similarly to a gas barbecue. 

Propane is generally safe to use, which is why it is commonly found around many homes, but it is not as safe as Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used. First of all, in addition to needing to ensure the lines are not leaking you also must properly store the tank, and any backup tanks you keep handy.

Additionally, unlike Natural Gas is a kind of fuel that is used, propane is denser than air. It will sink when it is released which can be problematic if there is a leak and tanks are not stored in a well-ventilated area.

Propane must be kept outdoors in well-ventilated places at temperatures of no less than -40 degrees Fahrenheit and no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. They should never be kept in your house or in a shed.

If a considerable quantity of gasoline spills from any of these techniques of feeding a gas fire pit, it creates a severe fire threat.

Safety Concerns with Gas Fire Pits versus Wood Fire Pit: Which is Better and Safer?

When it comes down to it, gas and wood fire pits provide very different experiences, and which you choose will be determined by the kind of experience you want.

With the flick of a switch, a gas fire pit provides the ambience and warmth of a flame. It does not emit the same amount of smoke or sparks as a wood-burning fire.

A wood-burning fire pit, on the other hand, will produce hotter flames that you may cook over, which is not suggested for most gas fire pits. A wood fire also has a rustic campfire atmosphere that a gas flame cannot match. It is also less expensive than gas if you have free access to firewood.

The State of the Air

When deciding between a wood burning fire pit and a gas fire pit, you should consider the The State of the Air of the area you live in and the needs of your family and friends who will be frequenting your fire pit. Gas fire pits do not produce smoke the way wood burning fires do. 

If you live in an area that already has poor The State of the Air, breathing in wood smoke can be irritating and harmful, especially for people with respiratory conditions like asthma, emphysema, or COPD.

These small wood particles worsen chronic heart and lung problems and have been related to early mortality in those who already have these conditions. People with congestive heart failure, angina, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or asthma should avoid wood smoke in general, according to the EPA. (source)

If you live in a deep valley where air circulation is poor, you should avoid lighting a wood burning fire when there are smog alerts or when the The State of the Air is poor.

Fires in the Forest

If you live in an area that is prone to having Fires in the Forest or uncontrollable wildfires, you will need to take this into account when selecting your fire pit. 

In many regions, your backyard fire pit has the potential to start a forest fire. Seasonal burn restrictions will be implemented in most municipalities with considerable amounts of woods or those are prone to wildfires. Before utilizing your fire pit, check with your local authorities to see whether there is a burn ban in effect.

Because wood fires may ignite, they are more prone than gas fire pits to create an unintentional backyard fire. They also produce hot embers and ash, which must be handled with caution to avoid re-igniting and sparking a fire. Fire pits that burn gas, on the other hand, can be turned off with the flick of a switch.

User-Friendliness

Despite the fact that man has been lighting fires for thousands of years, it is not a skill that we are born with, and many individuals are unable to do so. 

It’s considerably simpler to switch on and off a gas fire pit. It’s as simple as flipping a switch or turning a dial. A gas fire pit is the way to go if you want your fire pit to be simple to operate.

It is not difficult to start your own fire in a wood burning fire pit, but it is a talent that must be acquired and safety measures must be observed to avoid fire damage or injury.

So, which is the best option?

Unless you’re trying for a certain aesthetic or experience, or you require your fire pit to deliver a significant quantity of heat, a gas fire pit is usually a better alternative.

The following are some examples of gas fire pits:

• It’s a lot easier to use.
• Forest fires are less likely to occur.
• Do not impact The State of the Air significantly
• Heat settings are often changeable.

The Remainder

If you utilize your fire pits appropriately and safely, you will always have a good time. Whether you utilize a wood burning fire pit or a gas fire pit, you must exercise caution to keep yourself and your family safe. When possible, it’s always best to be prepared and take precautionary measures.

If you want to burn wood, make sure you are familiar with the rules in your area and keep an eye out for burn ban notices. Most crucial, make sure the fire is totally extinguished after you’ve done enjoying it.  

To thoroughly extinguish your fire, use lots of water to douse it, keep an eye on the ashes to make sure they aren’t still emitting heat, and dispose of the ashes securely after they have cooled.

If you decide that a gas fire pit is a better fit for your requirements, you may extinguish your fire with a flick of your finger, but you must be cautious and vigilant for any symptoms of a gas leak. Don’t start a fire if you even suspect you smell gas. Always keep your propane tank outdoors, in a well-ventilated place.

The “is it safe to leave embers in a fire pit” is a question that many people ask. The answer is yes, as long as the fire has been completely extinguished.

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