Outdoor Fire Pit use by Humans has existed since Man discovered how to start and use fire for warmth and cooking food. Pre-historic man used fire in the open and in caves for heat and cooking either on top of the ground or in pits dug to contain the fire. Early on man learned that fire contained in a pit or earth or stone did not require as much fuel to maintain the heat source as a fire in the open without any kind of containment. Archeology explorations have documented many finds of early mans dwelling places and evidence of fire pits that were used over long periods of time. Many of these early pits were simply scooped out places in the earth for fires and cleaned out on a regular basis for further use. In some instances fire pits were surrounded by rocks. Man learned rocks retained heat for long periods of time and were very useful as rings around a fire pit. Early Man learned it was important to contain the fire to keep from starting wild fires he could not control and sometimes could not escape himself.

As time progressed Man experimented with fire pits and other elements and discovered metals by accident in rocks he used to build fire pits. Later forges to manufacture metal forgings arose from early discoveries with fire pits. Can you imagine the surprise when early Man used rocks containing coal to contain a fire and the rocks burned!

The most defining aspect of any fire pit is the containment of the fire so it is controlled. The next important aspect of a fire pit is utilization of fuel used to make the fire. If you can control the fire and contain it you can more efficiently use the heat that is supplied.

Most early man made metal fire pits were made from cast iron. An example would be a forge used by black smiths for shaping metal for nails, hinges, and horseshoes etc. If you think about cast iron stoves they are nothing more than a sophisticated fire pit. Early cooking stoves were made from cast iron and in some areas soap stone was used.

Rock and brick fireplaces and barbeque grills are nothing more than sophisticated fire pits. In the last twenty years outdoor fire pits, chimineas and patio fireplaces have grown in popularity and use. You now can buy all these products in different configurations and materials. Cast aluminum, copper, cast iron, cold rolled steel, stone, marble and some other materials are common. The common denominator among all fire pits sold on the market today is fire containment and fire safety. Type of material from which each is made is not as important as fire safety.

Author: LaZinnia Manley All Rights Reserved