There is nothing better than enjoying the crackling sound of wood and getting warm during a chilly winter night. It helps you to relax and spend quality time with your friends or family. But what should you do after it is time to turn in for the night?
A lot of people might not know what the right way to extinguish a fire pit is. Yes, there is a proper way that you need to follow to put out the fire! Most importantly, you should avoid leaving out the fire overnight as it can be highly risky and lead to severe accidents.
At the same time, you need to put out a fire pit properly to avoid any mess. So, what is the best way to put out a fire pit? And how to clean a fire pit afterward? We’ll discuss both these things a lot more to help you with putting out a fire in a fire pit.
The Risks of Leaving a Fire Pit Burning Overnight
While the warmth and glow are inviting, the dangers of unattended fires loom large. The embers particularly from a neglected fire can spark larger flames. This is quite the possibility in dry conditions. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the risks involved in leaving a fire pit burning overnight.
In addition to that, the city or local laws might make it mandatory for you to put out the fire. It makes it illegal for you to leave a fire smoldering or letting the fire burn without being physically present. In a few states, it is simply not allowed to have backyard fires and failure to comply can lead to legal actions.
Plus, leaving the fire unattended can also put your neighbors at risk. As mentioned before, any member can make its way from the fire pit to a neighbor’s yard or house. Therefore, you need to learn about the proper ways of how to extinguish a fire pit. This would not only keep yourself safe but also the people around you as well.
Preparation Before Extinguishing
The most important thing you need to know about how to put out a fireplace is that the preparation takes place before the fire starts dying out. That’s right, you need to start preparing for it beforehand. Here are the few things that you need to prepare to put out the fire.
Stop Fueling the Fire
First things first, you need to ensure that you stop fueling the fire before you start to extinguish it. Ideally, you should wait an hour before to let the fire to decrease the glowing embers or coal. Doing so will make the overall extinguishing process a lot easier and simpler.
So, before you learn how to put a fire pit out, you must follow this step. Consider it the same as putting a pot of soup in the fridge after letting it cool down first – it just makes sense.
Spreading Out Hot Logs
The next thing that you need to do is spread out the hot logs. What is the reason for this? Well, it is because you can allow the fire to burn out relatively quickly by spreading out the hot logs and coals.
It is best to use a metal shovel or a fire poker for this thing. This is a critical part before you start the process of how to put out a fire pit. Consider it to be like the butter that you spread on the bread so it can melt quickly.
Safe Distancing and Correct Installation
Last but not least, it is vital to maintain safe distancing. The fire pit should be at a minimum of 10 feet away from any sort of structure. This distance acts as a buffer zone if the sparks fly. Also, make sure that there are no combustible materials near the fire pit.
You might wonder – how hot does a fire pit get? A wood-burning fire pit can reach a temperature of 1000 Degrees Fahrenheit (Close to 537.778 Degrees Celsius). Therefore, you should be extremely careful when handling the fire pit. Plus, ensure that the fire pit is installed on a non-combustible surface and should be away from any overhanging trees.
Methods to Safely Put Out a Fire Pit
If you follow the safety procedures before putting out the fires, then the process of extinguishing your fire pit will be quite smooth. Once that is complete, you might want to know how to put out a fire in the fireplace. Here are some of the ways that you can go about extinguishing the fire.
1. Using Water – The Traditional Approach
For those wondering how to put out a fireplace fire quickly, the simple solution is water. But it doesn’t mean that you go with a bucket of water. Ideally, you need to have a garden hose with a multi-pattern nozzle to put out the fire effectively. The benefit here is that a shower-type spray can put out a fire safely.
It is best to stand at a distance as the water will create steam which can lead to injury. However, a major drawback of this method is that it can lead to the degradation of your metal fire pit. The quick change in the temperature from hot wood to cold water can cause the fire to weaken.
2. Sand and Dirt – The Dry Alternative
If you want to know how to put out a fire without water, then sand and dirt are also an option for extinguishing the fire. The first thing that you need to do is get a shovel. Using the shovel, throw the dirt and sand on the fire after it is almost burned out to a few embers.
Next, mix the cinders with the sand/dirt with the help of a shovel or a stick. Carry out this process until you believe that the fire has been put out completely.
There are various benefits of using this option to put out the fire. Firstly, it is quite a better option if you plan on using the metal fire pit season after season. Additionally, this option is more practical if the garden hose can’t reach the fire pit.
3. Snuffer – The Oxygen Eliminator
Wondering how to put out a fire without an extinguisher? Well, the snuffer is another effective method way to put out a fire without water as well. The snuffer is a burner cover that is in a circle shape to cover the round patio fire pit. It plays a major role in cutting out the oxygen and then putting the fire out.
A few fire pits might have a snuffer, but if not, then you need to purchase one. The most critical factor to consider when purchasing the right snuffer for your fire pit is the fire pit opening dimensions. This will ensure that you can find just the right fit for your fire pit.
4. How to Safely Put Out a Gas Fire Pit
Lastly, you might want to know how to put out a gas fire pit if you own one. The simplicity of turning off a gas fire pit is simply amazing. You can easily turn off the natural gas or propane line that is linked to your fire pit. Plus, you might also be able to easily access the fuel tank on the fire pit.
As a result, it eliminates the possibility of accidentally igniting the fire pit. An important thing to keep in mind here is that you should let the decorative elements cool down before covering them. With a proper cover, you can keep your fire pit safe from possible debris or other combustible materials like falling leaves.
Aftercare: Ensuring the Fire is Completely Out
The process of how to put out a propane fire isn’t just complete. Once the fire dies out, there are a few other things that you need to do. Firstly, check the surrounding area for any stray embers. Ensure there are no glowing embers left since a tiny spark might cause a fire to reignite, particularly on a dry night.
And what to do with ash from the fire pit? Simply clean them out as it can lead to rusting and decrease the fire pit’s lifespan. Just use a shovel to take out the ashes and make sure to dispose of them properly.
Summing up
In conclusion, prioritizing the safe extinguishing of fire pits is integral to outdoor enjoyment. Therefore, you should safeguard your outdoor moments with these comprehensive tips about how to put out a fire in a fire pit. It will ensure that your fire-lit evening is memorable and secure.
You can decide to go with traditional water, the dry alternative of sand or dirt, a snuffer, or handling a gas fire pit, according to your preference. All these methods guarantee a worry-free conclusion to your outdoor fires. That being said, it is time to start lighting your fire pit and enjoy the chilly winter nights ahead.
