Since the beginning of time, families and friends have gathered around fires for companionship, dining, and entertaining. As the patio and garden evolve into outdoor entertainment rooms, many people are looking for ways to add outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, or fire bowls to their outdoor spaces. But not all outdoor fireplaces and fire pits will serve you equally well. Below are some tips for selecting an outdoor fireplace, fire bowl, or fire pit that will best serve your needs:

?Consider your needs. Before buying, consider what you want from your outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Are you looking primarily for heat to take the chill off the evenings so you can enjoy your outdoor space for more of the year? Are you mainly looking for a fire everyone can gather around for socializing? Do you also want the ability to cook over the flames of your fire?

?Height matters. A fire pit in or on the ground gives a real campfire feel. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits that elevate the fire bowl place the fire closer to eye-level viewing yet usually low enough to see over from a seated position. Do you want to be able to visit easily with people sitting on the other side of the fire? If so, you will probably prefer an outdoor fireplace or fire pit that you can see over when seated.

?All fires have some smoke. If avoiding smoke is important to your enjoyment of your outdoor fireplace or fire pit, consider one with a chimney that directs the smoke up and away from you or one with tempered glass sides.

?Iron eventually will rust. Even the finest, exterior grade wrought iron will eventually rust. Touch up any scratches with a rust-preventative, high temperature rated paint to extend the life of any outdoor fireplace or fire pit with wrought iron components. Neither stainless steel nor copper will rust.

?Does portability matter to you? If you think you might want to take your fire pit to the lake or beach, to the mountains or park, to the tail gate party or the family reunion, to the back of the garden or to the patio, then an outdoor fire pit or fireplace that you can move may be more appropriate for you. Some have wheels, others are lightweight enough to move easily, and some even fold for portability and come with carrying cases.

With a bit of forethought to your needs and planned use, you can select the perfect outdoor fire pit, fireplace, or fire bowl for your needs.