The height will often depend on whether you want to rest things on a table, but if you want to feel the warmth from your pit, you shouldn’t go much higher than 50cm from the ground. Made of iron, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be used as a permanent or portable pit. To keep yours in good condition, you should rub it with oil after every other use. Make a hole in the middle of the base the pit will sit on and fill it with gravel to help drain rain water; then cover the entire base area with gravel. Chimineas are normally smaller in width compared with fire pits, but much taller. The surrounding walls offer more safety because they can contain the fire, while also retaining heat and funnelling the smoke upwards rather than outwards, which a fire pit does. Find out the running costs and which we named best patio heater. Are outdoor heaters bad for the environment?

Built with convenience and aesthetics in mind, gas fire pits are normally impressively designed around pebbles, faux wood or glass.

Don’t make your pit too small or too big. Too small and the fire won’t get started; too big and it can get out of control. The average size is 0.9-1.2 metres wide. This artsy centrepiece is part of Aldi's garden shop range. It features a modern chrome-plated geometric design and stone-effect finish. Portable / durable / low smoke / 360-degree Airflow Design / airflow holes at base and top / integrated ash pan / precision base plate / burns chunk wood / made from 304 stainless steel / lifetime guarantee / dimensions: 15” x 13”.

This is because when wood is burned, it releases harmful pollutants, such as small particles known as PM2.5. These tiny particles can be easily inhaled and can enter the bloodstream. A patio heater won’t give the same experience as a fire pit or a chiminea, though, and you won’t be able to cook on it, either.

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These fire pits are made using a recycled washing-machine drum – great if you want to get creative and save some money. All you need to do is remove the drum from the machine, along with any plastic parts, then stake it safely into the ground. You can add legs if you want it higher off the ground. Gaining popularity as we all spend more time at home, fire pits are super versatile and can add some glamour to your garden. But choosing the right type, size and material before investing is essential. Easy to set-up / collapsible and portable / burns wood or charcoal / integrated ashtray / powder-coated steel and stainless steel materials / windshields and air inlet tray / grill grate / secure storage strap included / dimensions: 53x39x6cm. Patio heaters are powered by gas or electric and come in all shapes and sizes. You can also find heaters for a wide range of budgets. Chimineas are front-loading, freestanding fireplaces with a round bottom and a vertical chimney. Typically they're made of clay, cast iron or steel and come in a variety of sizes – opt for a model that you can cook on, too.

No camping trip is truly complete until you’ve spent a long evening chilling with your friends around the campfire. Good banter, cold beers and sizzling steaks (or roasting marshmallows) under a starry sky – it’s a magical experience. Fancy it? Then you need a portable fire pit.Is a wood-burning stove bad for the environment, too? Our guide covers everything you need to know about stoves and pollution . How we selected prices and retailers The flames are powered through gas that you can easily switch on and off. You can get portable models, however most gas fire pits tend to be permanent –and they can be expensive. Fortunately, if you're looking to save money, some of the more affordable materials are durable , so you won’t need to keep replacing it each year. No outdoor heater is ‘good’ for the environment. Unfortunately, wrapping yourself up in a blanket or throwing on an extra jumper is the only real eco-friendly way to stay warm in your garden.