8 April 2025
Outdoor Burning
Now that the weather has improved, we turn from indoor fireplaces to outdoor burning. Whether you are using a firepit, chimenea, or pizza oven, outdoor burning is a great way to enhance social gatherings. It comes with great versatility, providing warmth, decorative purposes, and/or the ability for outdoor cooking.
Outdoor burning benefits
- The number one reason for firepits and chimeneas – warmth!
- They create a cozy atmosphere.
- Makes for a great focal point when outdoor entertaining.
- Alfresco dining and cooking.
Lighting a fire
When starting a fire outdoors, it is largely similar to lighting a fire in a fireplace or a wood burner. What is important to bear in mind, is that you will always produce some smoke when starting a fire. This can, however, be reduced by creating a hot fire fast.
To create a hot fire, it is best to start with kindling and 2 or 3 firelighters to create a base. Once the fire is going some logs can be added. To keep smoke to a minimum, we recommend using Victorian logs. These are cut thinner than our normal logs and will produce less smoke than using bigger logs whilst still providing a good heat output. Ensuring there is adequate airflow will enhance the burn of the wood and also help to keep smoke to a minimum.
A net of Victorian logs great for outdoor burning
You can burn coal or charcoal in a firepit as an alternative to logs, however, it is best to check the firepit manual as these burn hotter than wood and can cause damage to some firepit materials.
Cooking after outdoor burning
If cooking on a firepit, you will want to wait until the flames subside and you are left with red-hot embers. If cooking using a pizza oven, however, you can keep the fire going as you will cook next to the fire rather than over it. Thinner logs, such as our Victorian logs are great for preparing fires for cooking as they burn fast. This quickly creates embers to cook over and provides intense heat if using a pizza oven. It is a good idea to use gloves when removing grills and cooking accessories from the fire as the handles can become hot easily.
Pizza straight from the pizza oven
Some of our favourites for cooking with wood include; BBQ meats, potatoes, pizzas, and marshmallows!
TOP TIP: Our natural firelighters, Wood Woollies, can also be used for fires which you will be cooking on as they have no odour or chemicals, therefore they will not taint the food!
Putting out a fire
It is important to ensure the fire has fully burnt out before leaving it unattended for the night. If you have let the fire die down but there are still some hot embers on it, you can carefully and slowly pour a bucket of water over them. Note that this will produce steam! Spread the ashes about and keep dampening them down until they stop making a sizzling noise. This noise indicates that they are still hot.
After sufficient time, when you can be sure that the ashes are fully cooled, you can dispose of them.
TOP TIP: Ashes can be added to your compost heap or spread straight onto your garden. They contain many essential nutrients for plants and enrich the soil!
Safety
- Ensure you place your appliance away from fences, trees, and other flammable materials.
- Place your fire appliance on a non-flammable material, such as a patio. Firepits and chimeneas can get very hot and if placed on grass can burn it.
- Consider the weather. Firepits are not ideal for windy conditions as embers can fly and light the material they land on.
- Keep an eye on the fire and don’t leave it or children and pets unattended.
- Before leaving the fire at the end of the night ensure that it is fully out.
We would love to see pictures of your outdoor burning and cooking with wood. Please tag us on socials @AndrewHeardHardwoodLogs