Are you planning on installing a new fire pit on your property? If so, you have certain critical decisions to make before purchasing one. Choosing from your options of fire pits materials is one such decision. Perhaps you’re thinking about buying a copper fire pit. It’s easy to understand why. Aesthetically, copper has a timeless quality that ensures it will look impressive in virtually any outdoor setting. However, before committing to your purchase, you may want to know if copper fire pits are superior to other options. You’ll be happy to learn that they are in many ways. This guide will explain what you need to know about this subject.
Copper is also an ideal metal when choosing particular fuel types for your pit, like wood or gas fire pits. Discover why gas fire pits pair well with a copper exterior and are a great alternative to traditional wood fire pits.
Why Copper is Better Than Many Other Fire Pit Materials
A copper fire pit offers a range of advantages that allow it to stand out among the competition. They include (but aren’t necessarily limited to) the following:
No rusting
Do copper fire pits rust? This is a question many in your position will ask before buying a new copper fire pit. Luckily, a copper fire pit won’t rust easily. This is an important quality to look for in any outdoor fire pit. Because your fire pit will naturally be exposed to outdoor elements in an outdoor space, you need to be confident it can stay in ideal condition without corroding fast.
That’s not something you need to worry about when you invest in a copper fire pit. Copper is naturally corrosion resistant, staying rust-free for a long time. That said, it’s worth noting that copper develops a green patina over the years. While there are steps you can take to prevent your copper fire pit from developing this green tint if you don’t want it to, such as using a safe tarp or other such protective cover to protect the fire pit from rain, many find that this natural change in a fire pit’s appearance actually enhances its visual appeal instead of detracting from it.
Durability
Copper is one of the best fire pit materials available thanks to its durability and high melting point. Although you should take steps to prevent your copper fire pit from being damaged, generally, copper is a strong material that’s unlikely to easily dent, crack, or otherwise break.
The high melting point of copper also allows your fire pit to withstand high heat. Thus, when relaxing in your home’s outdoor space with a fire burning, you won’t have to concern yourself with whether or not the fire pit will become damaged as a result of the flames being too hot. This is very unlikely to happen.
Other types of fire pits that are constructed with cheaper materials can develop holes over time. This may pose a safety issue. Avoid such a problem by purchasing a copper fire pit that stands up to high heat.
Convenient fuel source
Copper fire pits come in a range of shapes and sizes. You should explore your options to find one that’s ideal for your needs and tastes.
That said, a copper fire pit often consists of a deep bowl that’s suited to wood burning. While many other types of fire pits require you to connect a heavy propane tank to the pit to start a fire, with this type of pit, all you need to do is add a few reasonably-sized logs of dry wood to the copper fire bowl and light them up.
This highlights one of the ways in which purchasing a copper fire pit is a smart financial decision. You already know copper fire pits are durable fire pits, staying in good shape for years with basic upkeep and care.
They also tend to rely on a fairly inexpensive fuel source. If you burn quality dry wood, odds are you’ll spend less on fire pit fuel over the years than you might if you were to buy another type of fire pit.
(Tip: If you’re having trouble burning wood in your copper fire pit, consider letting the wood dry out first near a safe heat source in your home. You might also need to use bigger logs if those you’re currently using aren’t igniting as easily as expected. As always, you can ask an expert for help to ensure you know how to safely light a fire.)
Can be used with gas fire pits
If you are looking for an alternative fuel source to wood, copper also works well with gas fire pits.
Gas fire pits are more fuel efficient, light more efficiently than wood fire pits and do not create smoke in the same way that wood fire pits do. If you are new to fire pits, getting used to burning wood can take longer, whereas gas fire pits are much simpler to light and maintain.
Gas fire pits also have the advantage of having an optional manual or electric turn-on. At CopperSmith, our designers can help you maintain a rustic fire pit with colorful fire or lava stones that can create the appearance of a roaring flame.
If you are worried about losing the traditional experience of a wood fire pit, pairing gas fire pits with copper can help maintain the feel of a rustic wood fire pit with the efficiency of using gas as a fuel type. You can also tailor the design of a gas fire pit to blend in with your garden. If you are happy to let your copper fire pit develop a patina, you could also let your fire pit weather in and blend in with the natural elements.
Heat conduction
There’s a reason copper is a popular material for cookware. Compared to many other materials, copper is a strong heat conductor.
That’s precisely what you’re looking for in a fire pit. A copper fire pit will heat up fast and retain its heat for long periods of time. This allows you to stay warm throughout a relaxing evening.
Ease of transport
Despite being a durable material, copper nevertheless tends to be fairly lightweight. This could make it an attractive option if you wish to purchase a fire pit you can take with you to vacation homes and other such destinations.
You’ll likely install any fire pit on or near your backyard patio. However, that’s where most types of heavy fire pits will need to stay.
Copper is different. If your copper fire pit is small enough, you can bring it along when traveling. Keep this in mind if you believe there are locations other than your primary home where you might want to enjoy lounging by a fire pit.
This is also something to think about if you might be moving sometime in the near future. Bringing a heavier fire pit with you when relocating to a new home can be far more challenging than efficiently and conveniently transporting a copper fire pit.
To make your copper fire pit even more portable, consider buying gas fire pits to remove the additional load of taking wood with you on your travels. Gas fire pits allow you to transport your fuel source and fire pit together, saving space and the inconvenience of finding a fuel source.
Versatility
Again, copper is a classic choice for a range of decorative features one might install both inside and outside of their home. This is a factor you should account for when choosing a fire pit.
If you were to purchase a fire pit that didn’t blend in with the current look of your home’s backyard patio or outdoor space, you might have to make various changes to the property to ensure its overall style is cohesive. This can be costly.
It also probably isn’t something you’ll need to do if you buy a copper fire pit. Copper is aesthetically versatile, making a strong visual impression when surrounded by various types of patio furniture and other such existing décor.
The versatility of copper means that you can be flexible with your fire pit's design, shape, or fuel source. As an example, gas fire pits sometimes look more modern than a wooden pit, but with a copper exterior, it is incredibly easy to blend the pit into your home design, no matter the fuel type.
Ease of installation
Because copper is a light option in comparison to various other materials from which a fire pit may be made, installing a copper fire pit on your property is very easy.
It also takes very little effort to move a copper fire pit from one location on your property to another. This may be an advantage if you’re not entirely certain you know where you would like to install the fire pit just yet. With a lightweight copper fire pit, you have the option to experiment with different locations, eventually finding one that’s perfect.
A copper fire pit’s portability also gives you more freedom to make changes to your outdoor spaces if you so choose. For example, you may want to buy new outdoor furniture to fully redesign the space one day.
Because you can move your copper fire pit to a new spot on your property with relative ease, you can make these types of adjustments without having to account for your fire pit’s current location. If the changes you want to make require moving the fire pit elsewhere, you have the option of doing so with minimal difficulty.
Suitable for all fuel types
A copper fire pit is an excellent addition to your garden as it pairs well with many fuel types. You can enjoy the traditional experience with a wood-based pit or the convenience and ease of use of gas fire pits. Copper ages well in the garden, meaning you can recreate a rustic experience regardless of which fuel type you use.
Low maintenance
Any type of outdoor fire pit will require some upkeep. You need to clean and protect your fire pit to optimize its lifespan.
That said, copper fire pits tend to require only minimal maintenance over the years. Once again, this is due to the fact that they’re durable fire pits with corrosion-resistant properties.
Granted, even the best copper fire pit will require additional maintenance if your goal is to prevent it from developing a green patina. Specifically, keeping your fire pit dry and clean will stop it from changing color early. However, copper fire pits generally have low upkeep needs. This allows you to spend more time enjoying your fire pit and less time working hard to keep it in good condition.
Gas fire pits also are lower maintenance than their wood-based alternative. This is because you do not need to worry about clearing out the fire pit for creosote, which is a tar substance that comes from wood and can be dangerous when breathed in. Gas fire pits require a quick clean down and do not need to be thoroughly cleaned for ash, creosote, or soot.
A Copper Fire Pit is Better Than Many Others
There are numerous reasons to install a copper fire pit on your property. This versatile feature can create a focal point that improves upon the overall aesthetic appeal of the patio. It also boasts a durable design and is rust-proof, lightweight, and portable, making it an ideal option for many homeowners. Copper fire pits can also be used for many fuel types, like wood or gas fire pits. Their low maintenance and versatile design make it a fantastic metal to use on a fire pit. You also might be interested in one of our design range hoods. It's not a surprise that having great kitchen range hoods showcases great design taste and becomes a timeless kitchen center piece!
November 8, 2022
