Dan's Papers - June 29, 2007 - Playing With Fire

Fire: it's one of the five elements, along with earth, water, air and ether. Fire is the element in the middle, symbolic of transformation. It can transform the world's news profile into a heap of ashes, or it can make plumes of smoke out of tall buildings. People with fiery personalities tend to have strong drives. They are forces to be reckoned with. In addition to all of this, fire has kept us alive by warming our homes and heating our food. Fire, in short, is awe-inspiring.

This fact is exemplified every time a group gathers around a fire. Whether it's two lovers curled up at a fireplace in the dead of winter or a rowdy group of teenagers dancing around a fire on the beach in August, fire is magnetic. Due to our collective attraction towards it, humans have created means to contain this unwieldy force enough to enjoy it all the time. We have our fireplaces and we have our chimneys. But how about now, in the heat of summer, when lighting a fire in the fireplace sounds stifling? On those lazy evenings when a campfire on the beach sounds like too much of a trek, but the fire itself is beckoning, you need an outdoor fireplace, a fire pit or a chiminea.

All three of these inventions will cater to your lust for fire and all three can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own backyard. Outdoor fireplaces are freestanding structures that contain fires so they don't get out of control. As much as we love fire, part of its allure is its rampant power. If we don't contain fire, it will run rampant and destroy anything in its path. Outdoor fireplaces are often built right into a patio or deck. They can be made out of stone or brick and can add a strikingly beautiful detail to any backyard. If you are looking into remodeling your backyard, an outdoor fireplace will add elegance and interest. You'll maximize your outdoor evenings by keeping the bugs away in the summer and keeping the chill off in the spring and fall. Be sure to check with the local bylaws, though. Since outdoor fires are not usually considered cooking appliances, they may simply be considered "open air burning appliances." In some areas, they are not allowed.

If you are not ready to invest in remodeling your entire backyard to relive the old bonfire days, you may be more interested in a fire pit. These appliances are less of a commitment than outdoor fireplaces, as they are temporary and often portable. Fire pits can be made from a variety of different materials including clay, aluminum, steel, cast iron and copper. There are even some intricately designed mosaic fire pits, which add a splash of color along with a flash of light. Some varieties have tops, and others are open-air. Some are designed for wood burning, some for natural gas or propane and others for coal. Fire pits are great because you can place them in the middle of a cluster of deck chairs and a group can congregate around the flames just like they would a fire on the beach. And, speaking of the beach, if you choose to buy a portable fire pit, you can even bring it along to your next beach party for a self-contained, no-mess bonfire.

The third option in the quest to bring fire more within your reach is the chiminea. This type of stove has been around for centuries. They are thought to have originated in Mexico as a means of heating homes and cooking food. They used to be made primarily of clay, although today they are also available in cast iron or aluminum. Chimineas are usually about five feet tall and have a round belly where the wood is burned. There is a long, tube-like structure that funnels the smoke out, just like a chimney for an indoor fireplace. Chimineas are never to be used indoors. Most chimineas are wood burning, but often don't accommodate regular-sized wood. Therefore, you may have to purchase special chiminea wood or cut your wood to fit. Generally, wood nine to fourteen inches in length and a few inches in diameter works.

Whether you select an outdoor fireplace, a fire pit or chiminea, your lust for the third element will certainly be appeased when you watch the flames dancing each summer evening in your own backyard.