There used to be a time when it was cool to sit around a campfire or bonfire in the back yard on a cool autumn night. Traditionally this happened more in rural and remote areas than residential backyards. Over the last 15 years, fewer backyard fires have been lit, fewer family get-togethers have been celebrated in the traditional ways and less interaction between people has occurred.

There has been a trend though for residential blocks to include an outside fire in their landscape design, bringing back outside entertaining and re-establishing links between people of various generations.

Designs in outdoor fireplaces have needed to change to attract a new following of outdoor entertainers. There is a range of fireplaces that can be incorporated into any backyard design. These include fire pits, chimineas, portable units, and purpose built outdoor fireplace units. Each of these types of units provides flexibility when it comes to outdoor entertaining.

Fire Pits:

While these units may sound archaic, fire pits have actually come a long way in design and practicality. There are many different styles when it comes to these heating units, but you will find that most of them are stand alone fixtures that can be used anywhere in the back yard.

Fire pits have become so popular that there are even some units incorporated into outdoor dining equipment. They are relatively low risk because there is not the potential for these fires to get out of control given the limited sizes of the units. They generally come in copper and iron designs.

Chimineas:

These heating fixtures went through a renaissance period about 5 years ago. They became very popular as a design element rather than a practical fixture. They offer a relatively small amount of heating due to the limited space available inside the unit for the wood.

The original purpose of the chiminea was to provide a small amount of heat using the least amount of wood. The chimney component was designed to prevent rain falling onto the fire in bad weather.

Outdoor Fireplaces:

There are outdoor fireplaces available that look exactly like the ones used indoors but are manufactured to ensure protection from the elements. These units are built into walls in the back yard and would typically be found in patios or paved areas. These units have the benefit of being able to use solid fuel or gas for heating.

Regardless of the heating system you put in place you should check any requirements in relation to fire safety in your area. Even the open fire systems like the fire pits have mesh covers available to prevent spark release, while other systems have limited areas for fire escape either being predominantly or totally enclosed.

If you are thinking about adding an outdoor fireplace to your back yard or entertaining area, you really need to consider what you are hoping to gain from the unit. Some outdoor fireplaces can provide significant amounts of heat when required; others will provide an aesthetically appealing focal point but not much heat.