A garden fire pit is a brilliant focal point for an outdoor space and makes for a fantastic centrepiece for nighttime garden parties. There's a huge range to choose from when it comes to buying fire pits UK customers love, and if you're new to them, you might not know where to start. In this guide, we'll go over the most common types of fire pits and help you choose the perfect one for your garden.
What types of garden fire pits are available?
Globe fire pit
A globe fire pit is a spherical pit with a hinged lid that stands via riveted legs or an ash-collecting base. Usually, they are laser cut with intricate patterns which are illuminated by the fire at night, and this makes them a truly beautiful focal point. Globe fireball pits are portable so that you can move them around the garden, and they're reasonably compact and easy to travel with when you want to take them camping. We stock a range of globe fire pit models with stylish designs. The 450mm varieties are particularly handy for camping trips and festivals.Portable and flatpack fire pit
Flatpack fire pits are perfect for travelling with. They're constructed from stainless steel panels that slot together quickly and easily when you're ready to start the fire. This means they don't take up much space in the car when you're heading out on an outdoor trip. Plus, they can be stored away with ease should you have limited space in the garden.Fire pit table
Another option to consider is a fire pit table, where the pit sits in the centre of the table. They're great for socialising outdoors on chilly nights, but they tend to be very expensive compared to other types of fire pits. Plus, they're best suited to being fuelled by gas so that you're not overwhelmed with smoke when sitting so close to the fire.Washing machine fire pit
Finally, you could consider a washing machine drum fire pit. Another DIY option, these are creative and cheap options for those on a budget. They do have lots of downsides, however. They're not the most attractive object to have sat in the garden, and they will rust over time, unlike stainless steel fire pits. Plus, they can damage the ground underneath them if they're not mounted on legs.Brick fire pit
Brick fire pits are a popular choice if you're looking for a fixed, permanent option for your garden. Often, these are homemade and fairly large so that they can also serve as grills for outdoor cooking. However, they're time-consuming to build and best suited to DIY enthusiasts. They're also not portable and therefore not suitable for those looking for a fire pit that they could use both at home and on camping trips.What material should a fire pit be made from?
Iron
Strong and durable cast iron is perhaps the more traditional choice of fire pit. It takes a while to heat up, but it also holds onto heat for a long time so that the pit offers warmth long after the fire dies down. A major downside of cast iron is its weight. Cast iron pits are very heavy and difficult to move around, so this isn't a great choice for those looking for a portable fire pit.Steel
Steel offers excellent durability like cast iron, but it is much lighter and therefore better suited to portable fire pits. It heats up and cools down quickly, which is particularly helpful for travelling. Plain steel is prone to rust, so we recommend choosing a stainless steel pit, such as one of our fire globes, if it's likely to come into contact with water. Rather than rusting and degrading, stainless steel develops a patina over time which gives it a weathered appearance that many people find attractive.Stone and ceramic
Stone and ceramic fire pits do not corrode or discolour in the same way that metal can. However, they are more fragile than metal due to their brittle nature. If they crack or chip, they're not easy to fix. Plus, they tend to be incredibly heavy and difficult to move. Stone and ceramic do not transfer heat particularly effectively, so much of the heat will come from the flames themselves and pits made from these materials will not hold and emit heat once the fire has died out.
