You must be very careful when considering whether you can use a fire pit in a gazebo. There are some very important factors to consider regarding the fire pit, the gazebo itself, and the surrounding area.
Can you use a fire pit in a gazebo? Let’s explore…
What Type of Fire Pit Do You Have?
Let’s first have a look at the different types of fire pits you can get:
Wood burning – wood burning fire pits are your more traditional fire pits that are generally a fire bowl for you to sit around and enjoy. There are variations on this, including one of our favourites, the chimenea, which is a fire bowl with a stack (or chimney) on top.
Generally, it is best to avoid using a wood-burning fire pit in any enclosed space like a gazebo.
Gas fire pits burn either liquid propane or natural gas (your mains gas supply) as their fuel source. They are quick to light and put out, and you can generally control the size of the fire far better.
Depending on your gazebo's ventilation (as discussed below), a gas fire pit could be a good option.
Bioethanol – bioethanol fire pits are the eco super warriors of the fire pit world. Bioethanol is a natural by-product of the agricultural industry and, as such, is a renewable and sustainable fuel. It is also a clean-burning fuel meaning all that is released when you light bioethanol is heat, water, and trace amounts of carbon dioxide.
Bioethanol fire pits are the best option in a gazebo as they are the safest and burn cleanly.
Is it Safe to Use a Fire Pit Under a Gazebo?
When deciding where to put your fire pit, you must consider some general safety considerations. This is important if you consider having any cover, including a gazebo, over the top.
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Ensure good ventilation
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Ensure sufficient distance between the fire pit and other structures
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Avoid flammable materials
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Comply with local regulations
Ventilation – the number one priority is ventilation. Both wood-burning and gas-burning fire pits can give off carbon monoxide if the fuel has been burning inefficiently. This carbon monoxide needs plenty of ventilation to disperse; otherwise, it can be dangerous, if not fatal, when built up in enclosed spaces.
For this reason alone, using a wood-burning or gas fire pit in any sort of enclosed space, like a gazebo, is not a good idea unless you can be confident that you have plenty of ventilation (like a pergola for example)
However, bioethanol does not give off any carbon monoxide, which makes it ideal for any enclosed space (even indoors).
Height – for any roof you want to put over your fire pit, you need to consider the height or space between the fire and the roof itself.
Wood-burning fires, in particular, can be unpredictable in their size and hard to control if they grow too big. This can make them very dangerous in any enclosed space.
Gas fire pits and bioethanol fire pits are much easier to control, and as long as you consult your manufacturer's documents in regard to what height clearance you should have, you are generally ok. They come with the added benefit of turning off the fuel source and stopping the fire instantly.
Flammable materials – what your gazebo is made from is also incredibly important in this consideration.
Permanent wood or stone-built structures that have been treated are arguably the safest type of gazebo to be around fire.
If you use any plastic or temporary gazebo, you should NEVER use any fire pit in them!
This also goes for any additional furniture, like chairs and cushions, that you might have around the fire pit!
Wood-burning fire pits also contain the danger of flying embers that could set fire to any flammable material around them. This is another reason they should not be used under any gazebo.
Local Regulations – Another thing to consider is your local regulation on what you can or can’t do with your fire pit. Some may stipulate that they must not be covered in any way.
You should check on your local council website or consult your local fire department if you are unsure of the current regulations.
Open Air Gazebo
If your open-air gazebos have adequate ventilation both above and to the sides, then having a fire pit as a feature inside the gazebo could be a lovely addition.
Our preference is always to have a gas or bioethanol fire pit for gazebos, but as long as the gazebo's height and width give you enough space and you don’t have any flammable objects around, then a wood-burning fire pit could also work.
Solid Roof Gazebo
If there is no ventilation on your gazebo's roof, having a fire pit inside is not a good idea. As we’ve mentioned, toxic gases can build up, not to mention smoke, which can be incredibly dangerous.
If your roof has some sort of chimney or ventilation, and there aren’t any walls or, at the very least, there is also plenty of side ventilation, then a gas or bioethanol fire pit could be used.
As mentioned above, if the space is very enclosed, your only option for a fire pit is a bioethanol one.
NB: Not all bioethanol fire pits are suitable for indoor use, so please carefully check the manufacturer's specifications and the fire pit's certifications.
Always Have an Emergency Plan
The key to using your fire pit safely, whether in a gazebo or out in your open garden, is to have an emergency plan in place.
This can be as simple as having a fire extinguisher close or fire suppressors like sand. You should also have the numbers for the emergency services on hand and ensure you and everyone around the fire pit know where to flee to safety should the fire get out of control.
Final Thoughts
Having your fire pit in your gazebo can be an incredibly pleasurable, warm, and cosy space for you and your friends and family to gather.
The key to making this possible is keeping everything as safe as possible. Ensure there is plenty of ventilation above and to the sides, keep the fire far away from anything flammable, and ensure everyone around the fire knows your safety measures.
For the safest experience, you should use a bioethanol fire pit in a gazebo and avoid wood-burning fire pits entirely.
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