Outdoor Living: 5 Practical Fire Pit Accessories

Outdoor fire pits are a wonderful gathering spot when you want to hang out with your friends and family. It creates an intimate atmosphere, but it can also be a fun spot. You can have a glass of wine and chill or roast some marshmallows and have a good laugh. By adding a few practical accessories, you can make the space safer, more fun, and versatile.

Cooking Grill

Fire pit grill
source: milkcan.com.au

This is one of those accessories that can easily improve your fire pit. By simply adding it at the top, you’ll get a functional grill. It’s perfect when you’re having friends over and want to have a small roast of meat and veggies. An easy-to-use fire pit cooking grill is the perfect way to transition from a casual wine date to a nice and hearty dinner fiesta.

There are a few things to consider before spending your money. The first thing is the shape. The round grills are most common. They distribute the heat evenly and are perfect for group cooking. Square or rectangular grills will give you a larger cooking surface and are sturdy enough to handle pots. Bowl-style grills are deep and circular and easily portable.

The grill’s material is very important. Stainless steel is a preferred option because it’s rust-resistant, durable, and easy to clean. Cast iron is also a choice. People love it because of its excellent heat retention. However, it’s heavier and can rust if not maintained properly. Coated or painted steel is affordable and lightweight, but it will wear down fast. Finally, copper and stone are more decorative than functional. They’ll create a great ambiance.

When it comes to size, it’ll depend on the size of your fire pit. These grills come in many sizes. Some manufacturers even offer custom-made designs if your fire pit has a specific size or shape. The cooking surface can have adjustable grates that will allow you to change the height to get more temperature control. Fired grates are not that flexible but they’re more stable.

Make sure the grill you get is easily portable. This way you can use it at home but also take it with you when you’re going camping or to a friend’s house. You can also buy a lid or a cover so you can control the heat and the smoke with ease. Plus, the cover can keep the grill clean when it’s not in use. Getting an ash pan will make cleaning much easier.

Tool Set

A tool set is considered an essential accessory when it comes to fire pits. It’ll make everything fire-pit related much simpler and easier. There are several tools included in a set. The first one is the poker. It’s there to help you safely adjust the logs and coals in the pit. It has a long handle and a pointed arrow tip so you can handle the fire from a safe distance. Always go for a poker with a heat-resistant handle that’s also comfortable to hold.

Next are the tongs. If you need to transfer or place burning logs, tongs are the proper tool for it. They have a scissor mechanism with two arms. This gives you good leverage to grab logs or even the fire pit cooking grill safely. Of course, look for a pair that’s comfortable to hold. A shovel is also part of the set. Keeping the ashes in control is not just about maintaining the space clean. It’s also about fire efficiency and maintaining airflow.

When it comes to the set’s material, stainless steel and cast iron are the best options. Stainless steel is rust-resistant and durable. Cast iron has good heat distribution and a rustic look. Choose a tool length that’s easy for you to handle. Make sure it’s long enough to keep you away from the fire. Last but not least is the set’s design. If you want to make things cohesive, get a set that matches the pit and the exterior’s aesthetics.

Heat-Resistant Gloves

Just as the name suggests, heat-resistant gloves are there to protect your hands from heat. They’re perfect when you’re working around the fire pit. They can help you move the logs and embers, remove the fire pit grill or adjust the fire. Besides tending the fire, they can also help you put it out.

The number one thing to consider is the materials they’re made of. The number one choice of many people is aramid fibre. It’s cut-resistant, extremely fireproof, very durable and non-conducting. Kevlar and silicone are also options, but they won’t do as good a job as aramid fibre.

Always make sure the gloves can handle more heat than the one you’ll be working with. If you’re not sure they can, ask the seller, and they’ll tell you the heat resistance levels.

Popcorn Pan

Popcorn pan
source: reddit.com

Popcorn pans can be a very fun addition to any fire pit. They come in different capacities and have a very long handle. They have a see-through lid so you can see when the popcorn is done. You can now get fresh popcorn while enjoying the warmth and cosiness of natural wood. This pan won’t make a mess and will keep all the kernels inside. Because of the long handle, it’s easy to work with and safe to hold even in a fire pit.

Fire Pit Cover

The fire pit brings warmth and cosiness to the space when it’s lit. However, it can get pretty damaged because it’s constantly exposed to the elements. Wind, rain, sun, snow, and animals are just a few of the things that can damage it. Having a cover can prevent this from happening.

Make sure you buy the right size and fit. Otherwise, the cover will get damaged, and your fire pit will suffer as well. Go for sturdy, weather-resistant material. Invest as much as you can. This is a long-term investment that should last for many years to come.