Fire pits are installations found in many homes. There are several advantages of having one in your yard. Families don’t have to go camping before they can enjoy a nice time around a big open fire. You can engage in different activities like storytelling or singing as you all sit around the fire.
Consequently, fire pits encourage togetherness and facilitate bonding. You can have some friends for camping over during the weekend to share a meal roasted over the fire. Throw in some cold beer and you’ll be having yourselves a good time.
There are different versions of fire pits. Regardless of which type sits in your yard, you should know how to put out a fire pit for safety reasons.
How to Put Out a Camping Fire Pit
If you don’t know how to put out a fire pit, it isn’t advisable to start one. However, you should know that putting out fire pits isn’t a complex process.
Just follow the right steps and you’ll have the fire out quickly.
1. Let It Burn
Instead of trying to put out the fire when it’s big, allow it to start dying down on its own. This means that you’d stop fueling the flames some minutes prior to when you want it put out.
When there isn’t fuel to the flames, they start to go down themselves overtime. At that point, putting out the fire is much easier.
Once the flames have reduced significantly, grab a shovel to complete the job. You shouldn’t have a problem putting out what’s left of the fire.
2. Spread the Coals
The next step is to spread out the coals. Burning pieces of coal die out quickly once separated from each other.
There are times when coals or wood appear cooled down, but they remain hot on the insides. Use a stick to separate the pieces so that they’ll stop heating each other up.
3. Have a Bucket with Water Nearby
With the flames down and the embers spread out, fill up a bucket with water.
Hold the bucket at an elevated position and tilt it so that the water gradually empties on the coals. There’s usually a sizzling sound heard as the water touches hot embers.
Keep pouring the water until that sound ceases. Don’t skip out on any coals, even if they appear cooled already. Be generous with your watering.
4. Throw Water to the Coals
After emptying the water on the coals, put it down and pick up a stick. Use the stick to check for any ember that didn’t go out. You can even break up larger pieces to see if they remained hot inside.
If all are cooled down, you can proceed to the next step. However, if there are still any hot pieces of coal get your bucket refilled and empty water on the red embers.
5. Check for Displaced Ember
There are times when hot embers leave the pit and fall, or roll, into nearby grasses. This could be dangerous if the ember manages to reignite and catch on fire.
Before leaving the yard, make sure you scan the surroundings for any displaced ember and put them out.
6. Check If the Coals Are Still Hot
The final step involves touching the coals.
Place your palm against the embers to check if they’re still hot or cooled down. If the embers are too hot on the palm, you’ll need to douse them with more water.
Things You Will Need
When learning how to put out a fire pit, keep in mind that you’ll need certain gear. These items will assist you in safely putting out the fires.
Here are the things you should get:
Water
You’ll need a water source when putting out pit fires. You can get a bucket or a hose. Buckets work well in controlled situations, but they won’t be effective enough during emergencies.
A hose is better for putting out large fires. If things get out of hand, you can channel water continuously through the hose. Get the hose fixed to a tap in close proximity to the fire.
You can get a spray nozzle on the free end of your hose. This allows you to customize the way water sprays out of the hose.
Shovel
Get a shovel for spreading out hot pieces of coal. When practicing how to put out a fire pit without water, you can cover the embers in sand and mix with the shovel.
Heat-Resistant Mitt
In addition to the shovel and bucket/hose, get a heat-resistant mitt.
If the pit has to be repositioned, you’ll need something to protect your hands while grabbing the heated metals. You can get just one mitt or two mitts – although it’s better to get a pair.
Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher may seem excessive for a simple pit. The extinguisher isn’t actually needed in controlled situations.
It’s needed when the fire burns wildly and poses a threat to your safety. It’s better to have a fire extinguisher in case of an emergency. You can never be too prepared.
Final Thoughts
Fire pits are a great addition to your yard. They bring your family together and create an opportunity for bonding.
However, just like any other open fires, they could pose a threat to your safety. This is why you must learn how to put out a fire pit. The flames in the pit may burn uncontrollably due to some reason so make sure you’re prepared for such a situation.
You should have a bucket or hose nearby connected to a water supply. The hose is preferable because it delivers more water at a continuous rate. You should also get a shovel to mix the embers in water or sand.
Remember to scan the surrounding areas for any displaced coals. If there are any coals scattered about, make sure you put them out totally. With the right gear and knowledge, putting out a fire pit should be easy.