Tall Tales About Propane Fire Pits   by Lexe Charleston
in Home / Landscaping    (submitted 2010-06-23)

Fire pits have recently spiked in popularity as the new outdoor “living space” phenomena has taken root. Many homeowners add stylish fire pit designs to their new, chic patio areas. And as patios and decks become more and more like extensions of our living rooms, outdoor fire pits have become extensions of our indoor fireplaces. They are great places to relax and socialize while watching the mesmerizing dance of the flames.

While there are endless fire pit designs, there are really only about three different fire pits for homeowners to choose from. There are wood burning, gas, and propane fire pits, and it seems that out of these three propane fire pits tend to get looked over the most. They also seem to have a lot of myth and misinformation surrounding them.

Many homeowners fear that having propane tanks in their backyards is not safe, and that propane cylinders might be more prone to cause explosions, fires, and other types of hazards. The fact is that propane fire pits are just as safe as any other type of fire pit as long as the proper safety handling and storage guidelines are met.

When you have any type of fire pit in on your back patio or in your backyard you must follow safety guidelines. A few of the most common safety practices you should follow with a propane fire pit include:

* Never poor gasoline or lighter fluid of any type into your propane fire pit. It should turn on with a built in ignitor switch.
* Never use matches or lighters to check for leaks.
* Never smoke when you are handling your propane cylinder.
* Never try to repair any connections or mechanisms on your cylinder by yourself. Seek the help of a professional.

There are also a few safety guidelines that you must follow when storing your propane cylinder.

* Do not store your propane cylinder indoors.
* Do not store your propane cylinder in a damp area.
* Do not leave your propane cylinder in any area where it will be subjected to extreme high temperatures.
* Always keep your cylinder in a well ventilated area.
* Keep the cylinder in an area that does not receive high traffic.
* Always place your propane cylinder on a sturdy and level surface such as concrete.

When choosing your fire pit, remember that propane equipment actually goes through extremely vigorous safety tests and must pass rigorous safety standards to be sent out to market. There is very, very little chance that a propane cylinder will rupture or explode. They are built to last and it would take a LOT of abuse to cause a tank to explode or rupture. Today’s propane cylinders are also equipped with an overfilling prevention device. The development of this device has greatly lowered risks associated with having a propane fire pit or other propane accessories. The device makes sure that propane cylinders are never overfilled, and actually shuts down the filling process when the tanks are roughly 80 percent full. This allows the volume of the fuel to change when the tank is exposed to different temperatures.

Also, propane is less flammable than other petroleum products and will not easily ignite when mixed with air, unlike gasoline. To ignite when mixed with air, the ignition source would have to reach 940 degrees Fahrenheit, while gasoline would ignite at just 430 degrees.

Propane fire pits are actually a worthy option for homeowners because they are safe and because they are extremely environmentally friendly. They burn clean, do not produce ash or debris, and are non-toxic.
About the Author

Lexe Charleston’s love for design took her out of the law field and drew her into the world of interior architecture and furniture design. She is a self-taught interior design consultant who has thrived in the business for years seeking out the hottest trends.