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Bought this as a quick setup/pickup fire pit for my apartment’s small backyard patio. I DO use the extra ventilation ring to prevent heat damage to the patio.
So far have only used it in 30-40 degree weather here in northern Japan using store-bought split wood—which is some kind of conifer (it’s harder than pine, but not as long lasting as oak). Usually I light it as an upside-down fire (big pieces on bottom, getting smaller up to the kindling and tinder at the top with 2-3 vaseline dipped q-tips) for ease of lighting. This setup requires only a couple small pieces to be added as the fire builds and moves further down into the pit.
The VENTILATION on this fire pit is excellent! Have not had a single fire go out once lit without completely burning all the fuel.
That said, on a couple occasions the wood has been a little wet still & with the cold temps it has struggled to get the temperature up high enough to burn efficiently (where all the wood is burning at once). I trick I stubbled upon is to concentrate the heat (once the bottom most logs were burning) by partially covering the fire with a bunch of leaves. It will choke the fire for a couple minute (will be smokey), trapping the heat until the fire burns through the leaves. After that the fire is hot enough to burn all the wood at once, with nearly zero smoke & a nice volume of flames. Probably not an issue at warmer temps.
I store mine inside next to the wood after it has burned down & completely cooled off. Very easy to pick up and move. Just remember to wear shoes in case you lose grip & drop it.
Cheers!
So, update now that temps are out of the sub-30’s...holy s#%t, this thing lights right up & gets HOT! Have figured out a few low budget tricks to get it there quickly (pine cones (10-20) around the base wood stack & a TP tube with bacon grease soaked paper towels [I was going to through it out anyways]) in the center. Easy light with kindling and once burning efficiently there is no stopping this this fire pit...did not even have to add leaves to concentrate the heat. It will burn it all down to ash. Super easy to clean & set up for the next event. Could not be happier with this purchase. Once going strong will even burn through the rain.
