How To Light Outdoor Wood Fire Pit - Outdoor Lighting Ideas

How To Light An Outdoor Wood Fire Pit

Who doesn’t love spending time hanging out outside around a warm, crackling, inviting fire? Outdoor fire pits are a great way to extend your enjoyment of your backyard or patio in the cooler months, offering a place for everyone to relax, chat, sip on their favorite drink and roast marshmallows. But before you start enjoying your backyard fire pit, you need to make sure you know how to light it safely and correctly.

Lighting an outdoor wood fire pit may seem like a simple task, but there are some important steps you need to follow to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to light an outdoor wood fire pit:

1. Gather your materials:

Firewood: Choose a variety of dry, seasoned hardwoods such as oak, ash or hickory. Dry wood is essential for a clean burning fire with minimal smoke.
Kindling: Small sticks, twigs and dry leaves can be used to start the fire.
Fire starter: You can use a lighter, matches or a fire starter to ignite the kindling.
Shovel or poker: A metal shovel or poker will help you tend to the fire and move logs around.
Bucket of water: Always have a bucket of water nearby in case of emergencies.

2. Choose a safe location:

Place your fire pit on a level, non-flammable surface away from any overhanging trees, shrubs or other flammable materials.
Check local fire regulations to determine if there are any restrictions on burning in your area.

3. Build your fire:

Start by creating a small pile of kindling in the center of the fire pit.
Ignite the kindling using a lighter, matches or a fire starter.
Once the kindling is burning, gradually add larger pieces of firewood to the fire.
Build the fire into a pyramid shape, leaving space for air to circulate.

4. Tend to the fire:

Use a shovel or poker to move logs around and adjust the fire as needed.
Add more firewood as necessary to keep the fire burning.
Never leave a fire unattended.

5. Extinguish the fire:

When you are finished with the fire, let it burn down to embers.
Spread the embers out and douse them with water until they are cold to the touch.
Stir the ashes and continue to add water until all embers are extinguished.