In the recent years, fire pits are getting more common among many American homes. This is because many people find its benefits hard to ignore. A fire pit is an excellent way to spend cold nights outside. It is hard to beat the coziness and warmth that an open fire can provide. A fire pit is indeed a very good outdoor heating solution for any home. Aside from that some fire pits can be used for outdoor cooking such as barbecue and grilling. However you want to use your fire pit, it is important that you know how to start a fire in it. Knowing how to properly light a fire pit can make the difference between enjoying the benefits of an open fire versus subjecting yourself to frustration or having a potentially dangerous scenario waiting to happen. Just follow these following steps and you will surely enjoy a good blazing fire minutes later:

* First collect all the materials that you need to light the fire. This means that you need a tinder, kindling and fuel at hand before you can hope of lighting your fire pit. For tinder, you can use straws and newspapers. As for kindling, twigs and short sticks should do. Fuel is the large piece of wood that will enable the fire to keep on burning. When collecting firewood, you need to make sure that they are dry so that they will burn well and fast. A good dry firewood can burn for as long as 45 minutes so keep that in mind when gathering.

* Now to proceed to the lighting of the fire. Laying the fire requires you to light the tinder first. Lay about or two handfuls of tinder at the center of your pit. Place the kindling at the top of the tinder and organize them in a circular manner.

* When everything is in place, light the tinder using a match or a lighter. Watch the fire closely up to the point that the fire lights the kindling.

* As the kindling burns, carefully add the smallest piece of firewood over it. As it keeps burning, the firewood will create embers and that keeps the flame alive.

* As you see the embers burn, gradually add more pieces of firewood in order to enlarge the fire and keep it burning. If the flame starts to weaken, immediately add tinder and kindling to make sure the flames are sufficient. Eventually the firewood will catch fire.

* As it burns, you can choose to add more firewood into it if you want a bigger flame. After some time if the fire starts to wane, then add more fuel and kindling into the fire pit.

* When it is time to go, simply allow the fire to burn down the fuel naturally. One hour before putting the flame out, stop adding kindling and fuel into it. When everything is burned down and only the ember remains, you can smother it with dirt or you put it out using water.

Author Bio: Lauren B. Laughlin enjoys writing for Myfirepits.com which sells outdoor fire pits and fire pits as well as a host of additional products.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: fire pits, home management, fire pit,firepit