Fïré Pît on a Driveway????

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Okay, wise and knowing, EEers, here's a question for you:

Can I safely use a portable metal fire pit on a tar/asphalt driveway?

The fire pit sits on legs about 9 inches off the surface of the ground. Will the heat from the fire pit soften/melt the tar/asphalt?

If the heat will soften/melt the tar/asphalt, will a piece of bluestone/slate under the fire pit to protect the driveway?

Thank you in advance for your expert advice!

[busymom]

I don't know if it's safe, but I have a couple of neighbors that use portable fire pits on their driveway all the time. Usually times like Halloween: they'll have a fire going, & greet the trick-or-treaters outside. Haven't noticed "dents" in their driveway, but then again maybe someone else around here is in the "driveway business".

Good luck!

[Tennesseer]

To be safe, could you put something non-flammable under the firepit to raise it up a bit?

[KindeBabe's Kupid Kiss]

Could you designate part of the lawn with rocks as a base next to the driveway as the ..firepit area?

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 31, 2011 13:13:08 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

To be safe, could you put something non-flammable under the firepit to raise it up a bit?

Well, that was my thinking about the bluestone/slate. We have a few slabs of that leftover from the previous owners of the house. I am assuming that stone won't conduct heat, but I could be very wrong about that?

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

How about placing a concrete slab underneath (like a 24"-24" sidewalk slab) or raise the legs by placing bricks under them.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 31, 2011 13:09:01 GMT -5 busymom said:

I don't know if it's safe, but I have a couple of neighbors that use portable fire pits on their driveway all the time. Usually times like Halloween: they'll have a fire going, & greet the trick-or-treaters outside. Haven't noticed "dents" in their driveway, but then again maybe someone else around here is in the "driveway business".

Good luck!

Good to know others have done this without their fire pit slowly melting into the driveway, LOL.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 31, 2011 13:18:14 GMT -5 KindeBabe's Kupid Kiss said:

Could you designate part of the lawn with rocks as a base next to the driveway as the ..firepit area?

No, I wish. That would be the perfect solution. I have pine trees along one side of the driveway, a garage on the other, and a white picket fence along the house side of the driveway.

But thanks for the idea. Keep 'em coming!

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 31, 2011 13:20:16 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

How about placing a concrete slab underneath (like a 24"-24" sidewalk slab) or raise the legs by placing bricks under them.

I have bluestone/slate slabs. Will those work as well as concrete? I don't think concrete transfers/holds heat, does it? I am hoping bluestone/slate has the same quality. I mean, don't some indoor fireplaces have bluestone/slate hearths?

I should know about this stuff -- I WAS a Girl Scout, LOL. But we mostly dug our own rough fire pits in the ground. No lazy suburban L.L. Bean fire pits for Girl Scouts, LOL.

[Jake 48]

I have a blue stone hearth for our wood burning insert, it only gets warm, dog loves it. for the outside I think putting the fire pit on the blue stone, as long as it was slightly larger than the diameter of the pit, it would protect the asphalt from radiant heat, there will be some but since heat rises you should be ok

[Tennesseer]

Is it safe to presume it is cool to cold where you live? With the slate underneath it and if is cold enough outside you should be all right. Or as someone said put the slate on the grass next to the driveway.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

If you have a slate slab big enough to fit under the firepit, then go ahead and use it. I'm assuming it's at least 1/2" thick (perhaps more). Since the portable firepit has legs that are going to raise the base 9" from the slab surface once it's in place, the slab will be a good way to protect the asphalt driveway from any heat that comes from the base of the pit.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 31, 2011 13:35:12 GMT -5 Jake 48 said:

I have a blue stone hearth for our wood burning insert, it only gets warm, dog loves it. for the outside I think putting the fire pit on the blue stone, as long as it was slightly larger than the diameter of the pit, it would protect the asphalt from radiant heat, there will be some but since heat rises you should be ok

Yes, the bluestone slab is larger than the fire pit's diameter. Good point about heat rising.

Thanks!

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 31, 2011 13:35:44 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Is it safe to presume it is cool to cold where you live? With the slate underneath it and if is cold enough outside you should be all right. Or as someone said put the slate on the grass next to the driveway.

Well, I'm in New England. It *should* be colder than it is, but it's going to be 50 degrees for the next couple of days.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 31, 2011 13:36:50 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

If you have a slate slab big enough to fit under the firepit, then go ahead and use it. I'm assuming it's at least 1/2" thick (perhaps more). Since the portable firepit has legs that are going to raise the base 9" from the slab surface once it's in place, the slab will be a good way to protect the asphalt driveway from any heat that comes from the base of the pit.

Yes, the slab is definitely larger than the diameter of the fire pit.

I think that combination will work, too. I'll volunteer to be the guinea pig and report back.

[Bluerobin]

What Jake said.

[Bluerobin]

Jan 1, 2012 9:16:36 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

I've never heard or seen one of these. Why do you use it, especially if it's cold outside? Why not just party indoors?

Because that would make sense!

[Jaguar]

Everyone in my family has one out in their backyard. We have Thanksgiving Day Dinner outside every year, it comes in handy.

[Jaguar]

Yes, the slab is definitely larger than the diameter of the fire pit.

I think that combination will work, too. I'll volunteer to be the guinea pig and report back.

Happy New Year How did it turn out ?

[Apple]

Jan 1, 2012 9:16:36 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

I've never heard or seen one of these. Why do you use it, especially if it's cold outside? Why not just party indoors?

Who wants to party indoor? The fire pit is just a prettier half burn barrel. When I was with the ex you would pretty much only find us inside if we were watching a movie, cooking, or sleeping, otherwise we were outside, usually with a fire going, even for parties.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Jan 1, 2012 10:58:31 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

Yes, the slab is definitely larger than the diameter of the fire pit.

I think that combination will work, too. I'll volunteer to be the guinea pig and report back.

Happy New Year How did it turn out ?

Haven't tried it yet. We planned on having one tonight, but DH woke up this morning with a cold. He has requested that we wait until tomorrow.

I'll let you all know for sure how it goes!

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Jan 1, 2012 9:19:24 GMT -5 Bluerobin said:

Jan 1, 2012 9:16:36 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

I've never heard or seen one of these. Why do you use it, especially if it's cold outside? Why not just party indoors?

Because that would make sense!

to both of you.

Those of us in the frozen North need a way to avoid killing our entire families in a fit of cabin fever.

Fire pits allow us to get out of the confines of the house for a while, make s'mores, hot dogs on a stick, drink hot chocolate (adult version and virgin variety), and enjoy the great outdoors without suffering hypothermia.

Besides, fire is pretty....

[Apple]

Besides, fire is pretty....

Very much agreed! Have you ever tried tossing a bit of copper wire in the fire? If not, I recommend trying it, the flames turn beautiful colors, from green to blue and purple--very cool.

[Artemis Windsong]

The fire in a fireplace or pit is soothing and calming. The feeling of comfort and warmth while relaxing. As well as pretty.

Must quit posting as cyberstalker will get me.

[Jaguar]

Jan 1, 2012 21:16:10 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

The fire in a fireplace or pit is soothing and calming. The feeling of comfort and warmth while relaxing. As well as pretty.

Must quit posting as cyberstalker will get me.

Okay who is this cyberstalker that's after you ?

[Jaguar]

Wishes k 4 u

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

We used to have a permanent brick firepit in the center of our outdoor patio at the previous house. We had it built & installed at the same time the concrete patio slab (20'x20') was being poured. The inner base of the firepit was lined with lava rocks. It aslo had a natural gas starter in it - we ran a line underground from the house to the firepit. We could have a fire at night, controlling the height of the flames, without worrying about burning wood and having sparks flying - although we did burn wood in it from time to time too.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Jan 3, 2012 9:37:29 GMT -5 @hootieman said:

Here is a question I have not seen posted, "Is it dry in your area?". Is it very windy? What are the dangers of wildfire? Do you or your neighbors have cedar shingles?

Good questions, hootie.

No, it is not dry in my area. As one weather forecaster recently said, if you could ski on rain, the lift lines would be miles long.

Windy? Occasionally, but not as a rule. Besides, my house and yard are partway up a hilly side street. The yard and driveway level off at the driveway, so the driveway is protected on one side by our 2 car garage and the hill beyond it, and on another side by our house, and the 3rd side by a stand of tree. So, wind is not really a factor.

Wildfire is also not likely a possibility. We've raked all the dead leaves up over the Fall, and there are no dead plantings nearby. We would turn the outside faucet on for the duration of any fire pit party just to be safe.

Cedar shingles? Yes, my house is sided with them. But, the fire pit has a screen and we would keep the hose handy.

I am sensing a general concern on your part for fire pits that go awry. Do you have any personal experience with them, or, know of any cautionary tales you wish to share?

[Sammy]

I think the best thing to do is check the fire codes with your local fire department. They can advise you on safety methods.