A firepit is an excellent addition to any property. More than decorative, firepits are functional, allowing you to entertain guests in the night air with relative comfort. Grandiose stone firepits are statements of affluence, expressing your aesthetic sense and expensive taste. Traditional wood-burning firepits used to be the only option, but today, modern gas-burning firepits have become the popular choice.
Safety
Every firepit should have non-combustible decking, but the chances of wayward embers damaging wooden decking are close to non-existent with gas firepits. With no need to add fuel or manually start a fire (usually with copious amounts of lighter fluid), the chances of accidents occurring go down to a minimum. Modern gas firepits emit no particulates and close to zero smoke, making them safer for your family and friends. More than 80 percent of visible smoke is made up of fine particulates, which can irritate the nasal and throat passages, as well as the eyes. Inhaled smoke can cause coughing, shortness of breath, or an increase in the production of phlegm. Gas firepits only require a turn of a switch or a touch of a button to light and douse; there are no chances of fires restarting while untended. Gas is also a lot safer for the environment, emitting less carbon into the air and producing zero particulates.
Efficiency
Gas firepits are easier to operate, requiring little to no preparation or cleaning afterward. There is no need to prepare wood beforehand or to clean up soot and debris once you’re done. You can control the amount of flame or the level of heat produced with relative ease. There is no need to stock up on wood nor provide safe storage for the purchased wood. In urban settings, gas is also less expensive than wood and more easily accepted. While some states would have restrictions on wood-burning firepits because of the risks involved and the smoke produced, these restrictions don’t apply to the safer and cleaner gas-burning firepits.
Aesthetics
The crackling sounds and the scents coming from a wood-burning firepit has its charms and traditionalists might favor this to the silent and smokeless gas firepits. Burning embers rising from a fire have a certain ethereal beauty. However, they also come with risks that come with open fires. Gas-burning firepits may look and feel drab in comparison. Without an auditory and olfactory component, modern firepits may evoke a less personal feeling or connection. You can make up for this by using colorful firestones to make your fires livelier. Firestones come in many colors, allowing you to freely switch stones to match the mood or the theme of your gathering.
Choosing Your Firepit
Modern gas firepits are more efficient and safer than wooden ones — but they don’t evoke the same emotions or memories. Gas firepits are great for big gatherings and hosting large parties, while traditional firepits are more suited for more intimate moments with your family and loved ones.
Safety and efficiency or aesthetics and tradition? Both modern and traditional firepits have their advantages and disadvantages, and it all comes down to your preferences.