Congratulations on purchasing the finest Quality Fire Pit on the Market Today! Your new Fire Pit is made using high quality American Made steel and is completely welded together. Each Pit is made using approximately 1/4″ thick gauge steel and will last a lifetime. Your new Fire Pit requires extraordinarily little maintenance.
Fire Pits We recommend scooping out your ashes every fire to not build up a wet ash base in your pit and to allow for water to drain. You do not want to leave a large amount of wet ash in your pit because it turns into lye and can cause small pits to form in the steel. Due to the thickness of the steel we use you do not need to worry about your Fire Pit rusting or burning through, although we do recommend one of our Snuffers to help keep Mother Nature’s elements away. Our Fire Pits are made using high quality plate steel. Steel will oxidize and form an outside layer of rust which will help to protect the internal steel. Your snuffer will eventually match the same patina as your fire pit, which goes through the exact same process. The oxidation process is a natural process which is controlled by the environment in which it is in.
By using thick gauge steel, we slow the process down significantly. You may choose to paint your fire pit with a high temp paint which will form a bonding layer between the steel and the outside elements, but you may find yourself doing this once a year. Otherwise, you can choose to let the natural process occur and simply leave it alone. You can from time to time use a water hose to clean out your pit or a small shop vacuum as well.
Do I need a barrier under my fire pit?
Yes, we highly recommend a barrier between the base and the surface you are placing your pit on, not only for the radiant heat which mostly travels out and up, but to control little embers and markings from the base. Concrete pavers, flagstone or a fire pit mat, (we have not tested any fire pit mats) all work well under your pit. This is the safest way to minimize any heat or markings from the base. Although, the bases of our fire pits are not reaching the burn point of wood, which is roughly 451 degrees, it is better to be safe. Wood and Synthetic decks need a barrier between the pit and the deck. We have not tested our pits on a synthetic deck, you are on your own there. Please use your best judgement when placing your Fire Pit on your deck. S&S Fire Pits takes no responsibilities for your actions.
Can I put my fire pit on the grass?
Yes, but again, we recommend a barrier between the fire pit and the grass. The radiant heat from the fire pit will dry out grass the first fire you have. If you do not have the drain plug in, then you run the risk of pushing hot ash through the drain hole. So, a good barrier for grass would be crushed rock, concrete pavers, flagstone or any other natural or solid fire-resistant material.
Snuffers All our snuffer lids are designed for the peace of mind. They will suffocate a fire at the end of the night so you can go to bed without worrying. They also double as a lid to keep the outside elements out of your pit. They are made using high quality American Made plate steel. Steel will oxidize and form an outside layer of rust which will help to protect the internal steel. Your snuffer will eventually match the same patina as your fire pit, which goes through the exact same process. The oxidation process is a natural process which is controlled by the environment in which it is in. Furthermore, it is not a great idea to leave wet ashes in your fire pit. Wet ash turns into lye and lye is chemical that reacts with steel. Our pits are too thick to worry about, but we do not recommend leaving wet ashes at all in your fire pit ever. Our snuffer lids are the next best thing we sell next to our fire pits.
By using thick gauge steel, we slow the oxidation process down significantly. You may choose to paint your snuffer with a high temp paint which will form a bonding layer between the steel and the outside elements, but you may find yourself doing this once a year. Otherwise, you can choose to let the natural process occur and simply leave it alone.
Cooking Grates come unseasoned. We recommend spraying or brushing your grate before each time you cook on with cooking oil. We also recommend not leaving your grate outside when not using it. The more you cook on it the better. Keep them seasoned well, out of the elements and they will last.
Marshmallow / Hot Dog Forks are sprayed with a clear coat on the body of the fork, not the forks. We recommend not leaving them outside when not in use, but if they do get some rust build up it is no big deal. Use some steel wool and spray them with a metal clear coat.
Drain Plug – A drain plug is provided to use when having a fire in your pit. This will stop any ash from falling or getting pushed through with the poker. Just remove it when the fire is completely cool to allow for water to drain.
Fire Pokers are sprayed as well with a high heat silicone clear coat. They can also be re-sprayed from time to time if necessary.
Fire Pit Screens are made tough and sprayed with a high temperature paint. You will from time to time need to respray your screen because even though it is a high temperature paint, the paint will not stand up to excessive heat over and over. We also do not recommend putting your screen on an extremely large fire. Even though the screens are built tough they are not designed for bon fires. As well, absolutely do not squirt lighter fluid, gas or any other flammable chemical on your screen to enhance your fire. Chemicals will deteriorate the metal.
Firewood Racks are made using the exact same thick gauge materials as our fire pits and they also have a drain hole for water. There is no maintenance to these. Some may choose to paint them which is fine just know over time you may need to paint them again.
Shovels are completely hand forged and painted with a high temperature paint, but due to use of the shovel, you may want to paint it once a year. Do not leave your shovel in your fire pit with wet ashes. Wet ash turns into lye and will corrode the shovel.
