We may earn revenue from the products available on this Thomas Nelson Page and enter in affiliate programs . Learn More ›
Backyard flak nether region are having a heyday . For starter , just about every outdoor keep trends account that crosses my desk include the sought - after feature in some form . In summation , our tested usher to the good attack pitscontinues to be a favourite among homeowners everywhere — and it ’s prosperous to realise why . The thought of intimate , crackling flames on chilly tumble evenings is alluring . Some fire nether region proponents even claim that the smoke deter mosquitoes . That ’s all I needed to hear before purchasing a portable , woodwind - burning fire pit for my backyard . As it turns out , there are several cons I wish well I ’d considered as well .
1. Fire pits are not healthy.
Fresh air is a necessity for my strong-arm and genial well - being , and I assumed I ’d get more of it if I had a restful attack feature to draw me outdoors . But the first fourth dimension I used it , that fantasy went up in locoweed — literally . Noxious fume straightaway hit me in the face . Sure , I was able to move my chair to get out of the direct path of the pot … until the wind shifted and I had to move again . blab about a buzzkill .
Even when burning decently veteran wood , fire colliery can raise unhealthful amounts of air contamination . According to theEPA , particulate matter in wood bullet can cause inauspicious effects on human cardiovascular and respiratory organization , especially for people with survive mettle or lung disease .
A late view conducted by theMinnesota Pollution Control Agencyrevealed that more than 50 percent of fine speck emission in my state come from residential woodwind combustion . The study also cited recreational fire pit as the most vernacular type of woodwind instrument - burning equipment used by households like mine . After a summer filled withair quality warnings in the Upper Midwest , the least I can do to aid palliate the raise befoulment problem is to bar burning wood in my backyard .
Photo: istockphoto.com
mention : natural gas fire perdition , like thishighly value optionrecommended by Bob Vila ’s squad of lawn and garden expert , burn up cleaner fuel and pass off less particulate matter matter into the ambiance than their wood - combust counterparts .
2. They don’t deter mosquitoes.
The one potential benefit of fire orchestra pit roll of tobacco — that it keeps mosquito away — plough out to be a myth in my sheath . mayhap it ’s because of the exceptionally large population of the biting insect in my area , or perhaps my rip type has something to do with it . Whatever the reason , I still get plenty of sting sitting around my fire pit , just like any other clip I ’m outdoors when the sunlight sets .
Some DIYers on the internet recommend throw bundles of pungent herbs like salvia and rosemary into a fire pit to boost its mosquito - repelling abilities . But as noted previously , add more hummer can do more harm than good .
3. Backyard fire pits stink.
Some masses have sex the smell of a bonfire . I do n’t . Come to think of it , my neighbors probably do n’t either . The odor is tolerable out of doors , but when I come in back in the house after seat around the fire pit , my wearing apparel , tegument , and haircloth reek . bad , I have to close all of my windows even though the weather is squeamish enough to be away or thesmoke smellwill ooze into my piece of furniture , rugs , curtains , and more . Chances are my neighbors have plausibly had to shut their windows a time or two as well simply because my backyard fervency pit bollocks the fresh airwave outside .
4. Burning stuff isn’t neighborly.
Like most homeowners , I want to keep a mutually respectful relationship with my neighbour . It was n’t until I purchased and used my woods - burning flaming pit that I earn just how annoying and downright dangerous it could be to those that live around me .
The airwave pollution alone can harm neighbors with wellness conditions like asthma ; and it goes without saying that small fry can get burn if not constantly monitored around the fire and hot coals . Nearby property is always at risk when using a fervency pit , but especially during times of drought . Evenfirewood suppliescan cause job . For example , the invasive emerald ash borer has destroyed many matured trees in my neighbourhood . According to theUniversity of Minnesota Extension , transporting infested firewood has led to its accelerated spread .
5. They damage lawns.
debate the more serious aftermath of using fire pits mentioned above , the fact that my portable one killed some grass in the yard is minute . However , the resulting eyesore was not something I had anticipated . place concrete pavers under the fire pit did not protect the greensward as I ’d hop-skip , but rather it extended the area in need of repair . Who does n’t love a little more fall one thousand work ? Me .
do it to say , I ’ve stopped using my wood - burning fire infernal region . For me , the negative outweigh the positive , and retiring it for upright is just one small thing I can do to aid protect my community and the broad satellite . Next up for the hunk of metal now taking up storage space in my garage is a trip to the recycling center .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
Photo: istockphoto.com
We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a raised bed , or an in - ground plot out back — and pick out the right plants for your soil and area .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
