Firepit for wooden deck

October 6, 2020 7:14 AM

What firepit options are safe on a wooden deck?
posted by LonnieK to Home & Garden (15 answers total)

Response by poster: That is, firepit or other device -- a standalone fireplace-type thing would be better. And while safety is the main concern, we'd also like something attractive and efficient at delivering heat.
posted by LonnieK at 7:15 AM on October 6, 2020

Solo Stove firepits don’t usually singe the surface they’re sitting on, if you buy the stand for it. I’ve used mine on grass with no damage, but ymmv.
posted by impishoptimist at 7:43 AM on October 6, 2020

I suspect that the propane "fire pits" would be the safest if you want an open flame.
posted by jmsta at 7:44 AM on October 6, 2020 [3 favorites]

Wood fires are not generally safe on a wooden deck. Go propane heater. Much more efficient at heat than a fire pit.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 7:45 AM on October 6, 2020 [1 favorite]

The issue is not singeing the ground, it’s embers landing on the wood or underneath the deck where leaf litter collects.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 7:46 AM on October 6, 2020 [6 favorites]

This would be a good question to ask your local fire department.
posted by enfa at 7:59 AM on October 6, 2020 [5 favorites]

This would be a good question to ask your local fire department.

Agreed -- many municipal codes have rules about having fires too close to buildings, regardless if it's on a deck or not; here it's 25 feet away from any buildings. Not that people don't break this law all the time, but there's a reason for it, starting your house on fire from an ember landing in leaves in your gutters is a bad time.
posted by AzraelBrown at 8:11 AM on October 6, 2020 [4 favorites]

We use a chiminea on our deck, so the flame is enclosed in metal mesh. It's on top of a fire pit mat for any embers that might make it through the mesh. We mostly use Duraflame-type logs, rather than wood.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 9:21 AM on October 6, 2020 [1 favorite]

My neighbor regularly used a chiminea on his wooden deck. They're inefficient; I didn't love the smoke.
There are enclosed fire devices. and gas. Make a good fireproof floor cover - even sheet metal will help to reduce danger from heat and embers.

Check with local Code Enforcement and/or Fire Dept.
posted by theora55 at 10:08 AM on October 6, 2020

I also have a Solo Stove Bonfire that's been pretty foolproof but if it were anywhere near something combustible I'd add the screen, which boy howdy how is it that expensive.

Over the weekend I hung out near a propane fire pit that was pretty much warmthless (how? no idea), so be sure to try it out if you're after something warming. Guessing that rocks near the flames that give off some IR are key.
posted by supercres at 10:31 AM on October 6, 2020 [1 favorite]

I have the Solo Stove medium size on my wood deck with the screen and the extra stand. Expensive but seems super safe - we have it on a stone paver for extra heat protection, but the paver stays cold. Very few embers come past the screen. We are in Chicago, so it's not especially dry - YMMV in a dry place.
posted by Mid at 12:27 PM on October 6, 2020

Check the bundle pricing for a little bit of help on the expense of the screen/stand/etc.
posted by Mid at 12:31 PM on October 6, 2020

I would not put an open flame on a wood deck ever, and I'm pretty laissez faire about things usually.
posted by nosila at 12:59 PM on October 6, 2020 [2 favorites]

The thing about the Solo Stove that has gotten me comfortable is that it is pretty "closed" for an open flame, but I won't argue with the point that everyone should figure out their own safety parameters.
posted by Mid at 1:05 PM on October 6, 2020

Response by poster: Thanks all. Glad I posted.
I think we'll err on the side of caution. We have plenty of ground beyond the deck.
posted by LonnieK at 4:37 AM on October 8, 2020