If you’ve got a lush lawn and you want to place a fire pit on it, the chances are that you might burn some of those lovely grasses because a fire pit can reach a temperature of well over 1000 °F; however, if you take some crucial steps, you can save your grass.
Yes, you can put your fire pit on grass once you can protect the grasses with a fire-resistant mat, heat shield, concrete pavers, and the like.
Asides from the harm heat from the fire pit can have on your grass; it also poses a fire and hazard risk because you can never be 100% safe with fire. However, with due diligence, and meticulous precautions in place, your fire pit can safely stay on your grass.
Is Heat Bad For Grasses?
You might not understand the fuss about placing fire on the grass in spring because the ground tends to be wet, and the grass will not easily burn.
Still, at the height of summer, it’s a different ball game because the grasses are drying out, which makes the risk of fire outbreak quite real.
The heat from the fire pit will cause heat stress on the grasses, which can cause damage to the lawn and will require time, and energy to revive that patch of lawn.
The heat stress also reduces the lawn’s ability to ward off disease, making them more susceptible to disease. So if you can keep your grasses from heat stress, you will help keep your grass healthy.
The heat from fire pits burns the grasses and draws water out of the moisture, thus making it more dry, and nothing kills grasses faster than inadequate moisture. Hence too much heat and grasses do not go together.
Can You Put a Fire Pit on Grass
Yes, you can place a fire pit on grasses, but you must make sure that it is not in direct contact with the grasses to avoid any damage to the grass.
A material that can shield the grass from direct contact with the fire pit should be placed on the grass before placing the fire pit. This material should be able to absorb the heat from the fire pit and not transmit it to the grass.
Secondly, the fire pit should not be left in a particular spot because grasses cannot take that constant heat bombardment from the fire pit without being damaged; compression and heat scorch is common with lawns that have a fire pit the spot in the lawn. Instead, the fire pit should be moved to other places around the lawn.
You must also water the lawn around the spit where you will be placing the fire pit so that the moisture lost from the heat of the fire pit will be replenished. Purchasing an elevated fire pit with a spark screen is a good thing to do for your grass.
How To Protect Your Grass From Fire Pit Damage
The easiest way to protect your grass from damage, such as scorch marks, compression, and heat stress, is to place something underneath the fire pit. This will allow the grass to stave off potential damage, but it will also offer a level surface.
To keep your grass from heat stress, scorch marks, and compression, your best bet is to place something underneath the fire pit that will help level the grass surface and protect the grass.
Keeping the fire pit level is of great importance because you prevent the unit from topping over and hurting people staying close by or even causing a fire outbreak.
Make sure you have enough space. Another thing to consider when choosing a barrier is that it is big enough to allow for some space between the support and the edge of the barrier. Without this leeway space, the fire pit is at risk of falling entirely off the barrier. This could lead to injuries or damage to the grass.
Most of the materials that protect our grass from the heat of fire pit also serve to stabilize the fire pit on grass, and different materials are fire-resistant that are used, and they include:
1. Heat Shield
This kind of fire mat is placed underneath a fire pit that shields the grass from heat. It can be used on grass, concrete, or wooden surface.
There is the A-Team Performance Heat Shield which we highly recommend because it provides. Up to 2,000 degrees and is quite affordable. This mat is 32 inches long which might be a little smaller than most fire pits, but it is a great option for smaller fire pits.
2. Brick Pavers or Patio Slabs
This is a simple and inexpensive solution to heat stress on your grass from fire pits, and these patio slabs are also readily available in hardware stores. All you need to do is place it underneath your fire pit, and it will effectively protect your grass from heat stress.
3. Fire-Resistant Mat
This works like the heat shield; the only difference is that fire mats are less bulky, which means it’s a lot easy to maneuver. Ember Mat by Campfire Defender Protect Preserve is a trusted fire mat brand that effectively protects your grass from heat from your fire pit.
Fire Pit Safety Measures
Whether you have a mat underneath the fire pit or not, there are certain safety measures to think about and plan for when placing it.
Here are some of the most important things to remember when placing your fire pit: Safety with a fire pit is the topmost priority.
Even if you place your unit on grass, wood, or concrete, you must ensure that no one or thing is subjected to the risk of fire as you enjoy roasting those marshmallows over your fire pit. Here are some safety tips that you should adhere to:
1. Be Mindful of the Surroundings
you should always assess where you are placing your fire pit to ensure that it is safe to place a fire pit. Ensure that there are no combustible materials close by.
2. Choose The Best Place for Placement
you should always ensure that there is enough distance between your fire pit and the closest structure so that you don’t spark off a fire.
There should be at least 20-25 feet away from any structures or items that could catch on fire and a height distance of at least as10-15 feet from tree branches.
3. Ensure That You Level Out the Area
The import of a stable fire pit can make a world of difference between an enjoyable night with loved ones or a fire disaster waiting to happen.
Always place your fire pit on a level spit, so it doesn’t tip over accidentally. If such an accident happens, the embers will fly in a different direction, injuring people and the grass, and if it lands on flammable material, then you will have a fire disaster on your hand
4. The Fire Pit Must Never Be Left Unattended
for no reason should be a fire pit to the left by itself with no one to watch it, this is because fire is fickle. A slow burn fire can suddenly burn so fast, and if there is no one to watch it and keep it under control, the need for someone to always watch the fire pit.
Even when you are done using the fire pit, you must ensure that all the embers are out, or you can guess it completely with a bucket of water.
5. Don’t Add Fuel to Your Fire Pit
You might want to use fuels to start your wood fire pit, but you should not do that because fuels can lead to a big fire .that you are not ready for. Instead, use wood shavings, twigs, and papers to start and keep the flame burning.
6. Use a Spark Screen
Once your fire is already started, place a spark screen on top to stop sparks from flying out from the fire pit. This reinforces protection to the grass sitting underneath. This means you can safely enjoy your fire pit without worrying about unwanted burns to your loved ones or grass.
Conclusion
It is okay to place a fire pit on grass, in as much you provide all the protection it needs and device a means of keeping the fire pit from being in direct contact with the grass.
Fire pits can generate a lot of heat that can cause heat stress for your grass, but if you put a heat shield, heat mat, or pavers on the grass before putting the fire pit, you can prevent all these issues.
You should also ensure that you stick to all the safety guidelines that will keep you and your loved ones safe as you enjoy the warmth from your fire pit.
Helpful Links:
- How Do You Measure A Fire Pit Insert
- What Kind of Paint Do You Use on a Fire Pit?
- Can You Put A Fire Pit On Trex Composite Decking?
- Can I Make My Own Fire Pit Insert (If Yes, How Simple)
- How Do You Keep Your Fire Pit from Rusting?
We trust this article helped you know if you can put a fire pit on grass. You may also want to check out If You Need Vent Holes in My Fire Pit?
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