Winter's here - it's time to heat up the back yard
Winter has definitely arrived but that doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors every night. When friends come over there’s nothing better than sitting outside on a clear and chilly night with a cosy fire pit or outdoor heater to heat things up on the outside – and maybe a whiskey or two to heat things up on the inside!
A fire pit can be a great addition to your backyard, adding to the overall ambience of your space and creating an inviting area for family and friends. The outdoor fire pit has undergone a modern revival and finding the perfect one for your space these days is as easy as finding a new barbeque.
Most commercially available models are free-standing although there are plenty of sites on the internet that will show you how to launch a winter DIY project and build your own permanent structure. The free-standing varieties tend to come in four basic forms:
- Timber burning fire pits. These are bowl-based pits that are often mounted on a stand or recessed into a low table. They usually include a top screen to stop embers from escaping
- Timber burning chimineas. These are front-loading fireplaces with a bulbous body and a vertical smoke vent or chimney
- Ethanol and gel-fuelled fire pits. These clean burning fire pits create warmth without the need to buy in a heap of fire wood and they require very little cleaning. They are also available as fire tables, where the burner is located in the middle of a functional table
- Gas burning fire pits. These are usually fuelled by a propane gas tank or can be connected to a natural gas line
When it come to adding a little warmth to your outdoor area there are plenty of options to choose from, and you don’t have to spend a lot (although if you want to go all out and really impress your mates, then we’ve got some high-end options for you as well).
A good place to start is Barbeques Galore and if you don’t have a store close by, you can buy online. Here you’ll find a good range of outdoor fire pits and wood burners for less than $400, including a number of options that are under $100. We love the look of the Casablanca Chiminea (a steal at $89) and the Brushed Copper Cast Iron Fire Pit (a little more pricey at $399). If you’re hunting for a real bargain, check out the Albion Firepit – currently on sale for just $49.*
FireArt Australia have some beautifully crafted steel firepits, starting from $299 and heading north from there up to $2,149.* These products are available through a range of dealers across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and WA.
For something a bit different, make sure you check out Outdoor Firepits – they have a stunning range of interesting designs and they deliver all over Australia. We’re totally in love with the Flame Dancer ($550), the Globe ($1,200) and the Tripod ($850).*
TKO Products stock a small but diverse range of items from fire braziers through to full sphere fire pits with intricate designs. These statement pieces will set you back $1,000 - $1,500* but they are super-stylish and a real talking point.
Another great site with a huge range of firepits, chimineas and eco burners is Fire Pits Direct. Made from a range of materials including cast iron, stainless steel and ceramic, if you can’t find a firepit that’s right for you here then you’re seriously not looking hard enough. Don’t forget to check out the stunning range of ethanol burners, including the Flo Ehtanol Burner Fire Pit – a steal at $4,976* + shipping (hey it’s a bargain - this one does double duty as an outdoor table as well).
Like the sound of that Flo ethanol fire table but can’t quite get the budget to stretch that far? We’re here to help - just take a look at our flexible mini-loans up to $5K to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, the cash is usually deposited into your bank account within a few hours - so you can start shopping online for your new outdoor fireplace right now.
* Prices current @ 08 June 2018 (publication date). May be subject to change without notice.