Light up the twilight with a fire pit – by Diane Morey Sitton

Campfires have long been part of Texas culture, their radiant heat and flickering flames providing a gathering place to warm up, cook food and trade stories and conversation with family and friends. Luckily, the campfires of yesteryear have modernized into fire pits of various sizes and designs that enliven decks, porches and patios.

But fire pits do more than extend campfire culture. When lit up on a cool winter evening, the heat they generate prolongs the outdoor season. Their warm welcoming glow creates a conversation hub, and they give kids of all ages a place to enjoy s’mores.

What’s more, fire pits add style to outdoor spaces. The primitive campfires of cattle drives and cowboy movies have been replaced by portable, pre-fabricated fire pits constructed from cast iron, stainless steel, and copper, among other durable, rust-resistant and heat-tolerant materials. Styles range from traditional to rustic to contemporary. Motifs include everything from deer head designs to Texas stars to geometric grids.

Fire pit variations include fire bowls. As their name implies, fire bowls are bowl-shaped vessels built on legs. Although most fire bowls are smaller, lighter and more portable than fire pits, there are jumbo-sized models measuring up to 40 inches wide and 25 inches deep.

Permanently-built fire pits range from brick rings to artfully-crafted stone circles custom-designed by landscape professionals. For do-it-yourselfers, fire pit kits featuring flagstone or concrete wall blocks, steel inserts, and even cooking grids are available online and at home improvement centers.

The types of fuel used in fire pits and fire pit variations are as varied as the pits themselves. Although wood-burning models are the most popular, fire pit fuel options include propane, natural gas, charcoal and gel.

Accessories to consider when adding a fire feature to a deck or patio include a metal spark screen to prevent hot embers from popping out of wood burning units; a stone, metal or screen mesh pad to place underneath the unit to prevent damage to decks and patios; and a heavy-duty, weather-resistant storage cover to protect the unit when it’s not in use.

Whether you crave a place to warm your hands, grill a steak, roast a marshmallow or gather with friends on a chilly evening, fire pits offer a convenient, stylish solution.

Campfire culture, you bet!

Let the flames begin!