Winter is coming, and this is where fire pits come in handy. This is the period where it gets extremely cold, making it hard to do anything on the outside. So, having those fire pits installed in the backyard is a surefire way to stay warm. Considering that there are several types of fire pits available, such as natural gas and propane, it can be difficult to find the most ideal one that can withstand windy conditions to an extent.
The best fire pit for windy conditions are:
- Outland Living Fire Table 401
- Fire Sense Bellant Woven Cast Propane Fire Pit
- Joss & Main Belle Stone Propane Gas Fire Pit
- Whittier Fire Pit in Gray
- Outland Firebowl Portable Propane Fire Pit
Note that fire pits can’t withstand strong winds, except if there are windbreaks erected around the fire pits. Read on to find out how to erect these windbreaks.
What is Too Windy for a Fire Pit?
Wind and fire are two parallel things. Fire don’t stay lit up for long in the presence of a strong wind. Moreover, the wind can sway the fire into the path or areas that could cause havoc. I mean burning your structure down. You can have a fire in a slight amount of wind, but if it becomes too windy, a lot of things could go wrong. Wind can easily take control of the fire and create an uncontrollable, dangerous situation. So, what is too windy for a fire pit?
It becomes too windy for a fire pit if the wind speed is greater than 5 MPH. If the fire pit is already on before the wind speed reaches 5 MPH, it’s best to put it out. Preferably, it’s best to put out the fire once you notice the wind is getting stronger, unless you already have some structures to intercept the wind. (More on that later). You can safely have a fire in the presence of a strong wind, but you run a risk of creating a major fire outbreak if you don’t create sufficient windbreaks.
For newbies or those who can’t stomach having a fire in a strong wind, I suggest you wait out the wind. Odds are the strong wind will calm down in a short time. So, just be patient a little. Typically, it is safe to have a fire in a minimal amount of wind. To ensure maximum safety, have a hose or a bucket of water right next to you. These could come in handy when the risks of an outbreak are high.
When is it too safe to have a fire? You can have a fire if the wind speed is less than 5 MPH. Anything more than that, you run a risk of starting a wildfire. But, you might ask ‘how do I know if the wind speed is greater than 5 Miles Per Hour?’ You can only known this if you have an anemometer, but I’m guessing that you don’t have that unless you are a meteorologist. Given that you might not know the wind speed, use the trees around you as a guide. If the trees sway noticeably in the presence of a strong wind, it is an indication you shouldn’t set the fire or put it off totally.
How Windy is too Windy for a Fire Pit?
Playful flames and the crackling sound from logs of woods can light up someone’s evening and spirit. Whether you are playing with friends, having a family dinner, or dancing around the flames, those glowing embers can bring delight and provide comfort in ways that can’t be imagined. However, they pose risks when left unattended to, especially in the weather is too windy.
It is too windy to have a fire pit if the wind noticeably sway the trees and blows embers more often then usual. The climatic conditions is one of the first few things to check when lighting up a fire pit. If the wind is too strong, it will create sparks that could set the house and other structures around at blaze.
The fact is mother nature will not always provide sunny, dry skies. At some point, the weather will be too windy, making it complicated for the fire pit to keep burning. However, you can still enjoy your evening around a fire pit, even in a normal windy condition.
First, choose the right location. This can help protect your fire pit from creating so much embers (if you are using wood-burning pits) or causing damage to your patio furniture. If the fire pit is portable, consider moving it to a windbreak, such as a wooden area of the side of your house. These structures will block the wind, making it comfortable to keep the fire pit burning. If your fire pit isn’t movable, consider the next step.
The next thing to do to prevent the wind from interrupting your evening is to have a couple of people sit around the fire pit. Having people around can create a wind break. You must know that this isn’t as effective as using a structure to block the wind. However, it can help slow the wind down.
Another way to enjoy your fire pit in the midst of the strong wind is to cover it with a grill lid or a normal lid. This will prevent the wind from accessing the fire pit.
How Do You Block a Wind from a Fire Pit?
Warm weather and nights are the perfect time for some outdoor party and family get-together around a fire pit. However, those strong winds may stand as the only factor that can prevent you from enjoying the moment. It could spoil your fun time and retire everyone early. If you have been in that position multiple times, there are several solutions you can employ to keep the wind from blowing out your fire. These solutions could work independently or together to help you enjoy your groovy nights.
Let’s get started with four ways you can block the wind from a fire pit.
- Plant a row of shrubs that can grow into a wall around your entire backyard. These plants, which can grow up to 10 feet will keep out the wind from penetrating your fire pit and even offer some privacy. Over time, the plants can become thicker and might even grow taller.
- Erect a landscape wall on the side where wind comes from majorly. Carve out two lengthy 4×4 inch posts and sink them into the ground at 2ft – 3ft deep while spacing them apart at approximately 4ft and securing them with concrete. Add a solid sheeting, such as bamboo screen of corrugated metal onto the two posts, establishing a wall between them. Plant vines in front of the landscape to make the area more appealing.
- Cut a clean oil drum or empty barrel into two and set it around the fire pit. Alternatively, you could use a wide, open cylinder. The barrel or cylinder will act as the windbreak. This method works best if the fire pit is in the ground.
- Get a large tarp, connect some bungee cords to it and the other end to the trees or any other structure in the outdoor space where the fire pit is located. This will create a wall between the pit and the wind. Make sure the tarp touches the ground. If the wind conditions are strong, you may need to hang more than one tarp in multiple directions. Ensure you keep the tarps apart from the fire to prevent sparks that could lead to fire outbreak.
Best Weather for a Fire Pit?
The best weather to light up a fire pit is in the cold weather, with dry skies and absent of strong winds. The winter period is the best weather to light up a fire pit because the heat generated will raise the temperature of the outdoor space by a certain degree. Windy conditions are unfavorable, and might spark a fire outbreak.
If you are asking for the best time to install an outdoor fire pit, the best food is Fall. Installing a fire pit in the Summer is pointless since that period is characterised by intense heat. Fall lies between Summer and Winter. Installing your fire pit in this period is recommended so that you don’t run into any complications in the winter. I’m sure you don’t want to install your fire pit in the rain or when it’s snowing.
Conclusion
The wind can make you to enjoy your evening around a fire pit, and at the same time, it can wreck a havoc. It can make a relatively safe and exciting environment to become dangerous and risky when paired with a burning fire pit. For this reason, you should avoid lighting up your fire pit in the presence of a strong wind. If the fire pit is already burning when the weather becomes too windy, put it off.
If you plan on leaving the fire, even with the strong winds, you must erecte some structures to block it from interfering with your fire pit. Building large tarps, planting tall shrub plants, and using empty drums can put the wind at bay to an extent. Follow the steps in this post to erect these structures for maximum result.