One of the great things about cold weather is having a fire to snuggle up to, whether it’s a family room fireplace or a blazing firepit on the patio. I really enjoy firepits because – unlike an inside fireplace – I can light up a great cigar, sip a little Buffalo Trace, listen to some cello music and celebrate the close of another day while enjoying the warmth of a crackling fire.
Last year, my old firepit fell apart. Literally. One day, the top fell off from years of intense heat and exposure to all the elements. I tried to put it back together and squeeze one more year out of my old friend, but Nancy disagreed. For Father’s Day, she found one firepit in stock at Lowe’s and now I have a new source of winter heat – and I love it.
It’s made by Allen & Roth. It’s solid steel and built to last. It’s also roomy, about 46-inches tall by 30 inches deep and 30 wide. So, it will hold larger logs if necessary. It is completely enclosed to prevent the escape of embers and comes with a removable fire tray at the bottom, making it easy to dump old ashes. The firepit comes with drain holes so a sideways rain won’t clog up the works. The unit is tall and drafts well. The smoke goes up, not out with a specially designed CirculAir system for a better draft, allowing for bigger, more consistent fires. It also comes with a weather resistant cover to keep the elements out when not in use.
The fire pit is not cheap, about $250, but not terrible expensive when compared to others. By the way, some firepits come with racks for outdoor cooking, which is a waste because anything you cook in a firepit tastes like pure smoke. Disgusting.
When and if you need a new fire pit, check out the ones made from Allen & Roth. I give them 5 stars.
