Propane Fire Pits: A Safe Choice For Your Home

It is a common misconception that propane fire pits are less safe than gas or wood burning fire pits. Propane is a relatively new choice in the world of fire pits and propane products and appliances have had many technological advances over the years. Some homeowners fear that having propane cylinders near their homes is dangerous and that the cylinders could be prone to rupture or explode.

The fact is that propane cylinders are built to withstand an extreme amount of abuse and wear and that there is very little chance that they would ever explode or rupture in any way. There have been very few incidents where homeowners have been injured in accidents involving propane tank mishaps, and wood burning fire pits are generally known to cause more injuries and damage than gas or propane fire pits.

Propane equipment must pass rigorous safety standards and tests before being put out on the market. And today’s propane tanks use overfilling prevention devices (OPDs) that have greatly improved the safety of the tanks. The device shuts down the filling process of tanks when they are about 80 percent full. This ensures that they are never overfilled and leaves room in the tank for the fuel volume to expand and contract in different weather situations.

All fire pits must be used with caution and there are a few common sense safety guidelines that should be used when it comes to the handling and storage of propane fire pits and cylinders.

You should never smoke when you are handling your propane cylinder, and you should never use lighters or matches to check for leaks on your cylinders. You should also never try to repair any broken mechanisms on your cylinder without the proper training. It is best if a professional handles this. Never pour lighter fluid into your propane fire pit for any reason. You should be able to turn on your pit with the simple flick of a switch.

When storing your cylinders, remember to always place them outdoors in a well ventilated area that does not receive high traffic. You should never ever store your cylinder indoors. Also, do not place you cylinder in a damp area that could cause it to rust or on an unstable surface like rocks or soil. It should be placed on a level and sturdy surface like concrete.

If you follow simple safety guidelines a propane fire pit will be absolutely safe to make a part of your home. Plus, they offer many benefits. They are safe and environmentally friendly. They burn a clean fuel, are easy to turn on and off, do not produce ash or debris, and do not produce noxious smoke.

Want to find out more about propane fire pits, then visit Jolene A Cruise’s site on how to choose the best fire pits for your needs.

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July 03 2010 | Landscaping | No Comments »

Gas Fire Pits: Top 3 Pluses Of Using Gas Over Wood

Fire pits are wonderful outdoor accessories and there are many lovely, designer styles available that fit any home decor. The backyard “living space” is becoming more and more popular. Many people are creating rooms in their backyards that have a modern and sophisticated style. Tons of these homeowners are using fire pits to add to the look of their outdoor spaces as well.

There are so many varieties of fire pits available that it can be hard to chose which one you want. However, when it comes to choosing how you want your fire pit to burn the options are far fewer. You can buy a wood burning fire pit but there are many perks to using a gas fire pit. Before choosing which option is best for you, see all of the perks that come with using a gas fire pit:

Your city’s fire codes. Many cities just do not allow open fires and have strict pollution restricting laws. For many homeowners this rules out purchasing a wood burning fire pit entirely and limits the types of patio fire pits that they can purchase. Many gas fire pit models meet the requirements of city laws. Gas burns cleaner than wood so it is the perfect choice if your city has strict open fire laws or if you want to buy a more eco-friendly product.

Less mess. Gas fire pits are just less messy than wood burning pits. You do not have to fumble around with messy logs and you do not have to dispose of the messy ash left over from wood. You also do not have to worry about where you will store your wood logs. Gas pits start up easily with a lighter or just by using the pit’s built in ignitor.

Gas fire pits also produce a lot less smoke and debris than wood burning pits. If you are looking for a safer choice than a gas pit is a better option for you. With wood burning pits you have to beware of small pieces of burning debris leaping out and ending up in your brush. Gas fire pits also have a more controlled flame which makes them an even safer option. Gas fire pits are more predictable than wood burning pits so you won’t end up with a much larger fire than you expected.

Want to find out more about Patio fire pits, then visit Jolene A Cruise’s site on how to choose the best propane fire pits for your needs.

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May 28 2010 | Landscaping | No Comments »