How to Maintain a Fire Pit

How to Maintain a Fire Pit

Maintaining an outdoor fire pit in Ireland may seem like a big task given our inconsistent weather and constant threat of rain, but when you break it down it's not as difficult as you think.  Like everything - the longevity of your fire pit depends on the level of care and how well you look after it. Fire pits require very little upkeep but, by consistently carrying out a few super simple tasks your fire pit will extend its lifetime.  Follow these simple recommendations and you will get the best out of your fire pit for years to come.


Remove Ash After Each Use.

It may not seem like a big deal to leave ash sitting in your fire pit. “I mean it’s a fire pit, surely a bit of ash won’t do too much harm?” Wrong! What a lot of people don’t know is that ash is acidic which means that it can corrode the base and grate in your fire pit. By removing the ash from your fire pit (when it is at a safe temperature to do so), you are reducing the damage caused by the ash. This makes for a more functional fire pit over a longer period of time.

Keep Your Fire Pit Covered.

When you are not using your fire pit, it is best to cover it up. It is not ideal to get your fire pit wet. Therefore, in Ireland it is important that your fire pit is well covered to prevent any rain getting at it and causing damage such as rust. Rust reduces the mass of metal which essentially makes it weaker. Even with the highest quality fire pit, allowing it to regularly get wet will significantly weaken it which obviously is not the ideal scenario. By simply covering it up and leaving the fire pit somewhere safe, you are taking steps towards a longer lasting fire pit!

Repair With High Temperature Paint.


Occasionally you may observe some heat damage to the bowl of the fire pit. This is bound to happen given the temperatures output by the fire.  There is no way to prevent it but, there are ways to treat it. High temperature paint is paint you spray over the damaged areas of your fire pit.  It acts as a sort of a sealant which protects the affected areas. High temperature paint also helps prevent rusting which is a bonus if you forgot to cover your fire pit.  As well as strengthening damaged areas, high temperature paint freshens up a damaged fire pit base with a clean matte finish.




Conclusion

There you have it - three simple jobs you can do to maintain your fire pit. A fire pit is an investment, so it is worth carrying out some regular upkeep as it will translate to a longer lasting fire pit. The more work and care you put into your firepit the more pleasurable evenings you get to spend by it.


Evan Hoganrawsaol