Are you ready to upgrade your backyard and enjoy family campfires? You may be considering a backyard fire pit to add to your outdoor entertainment space — but there are many different types of fire pits to choose from. Should you buy a traditional wood burning fire pit? Maybe you are interested in smokeless fire pits from brands like Breeo® or Solo Stove®? Here at Fox River Fire Rings in Neenah, WI, we have fallen in love with wood fire pits and we want to share that love with you with this list of the pros and cons of a wood fire pit.

Why You Should Buy a Wood Burning Fire Pit

We have been designing and manufacturing custom steel fire pits at Fox River Fire Rings for generations and we love to spend weekends around a wood fire pit — whether that is in our backyard, at the cabin, at a lake house, at a campground, or at a friend’s cottage in the Northwoods. We think a backyard fire pit is something that everyone should enjoy and we may be biased, but we love the sights, sounds, and smells that go with a wood burning fire pit.

In the end — you have to make the choice that is the best fit for you and your family, and we know that you have options out there that each have their own list of pros and cons. To help you find the right fit, we have created a list of the pros and cons of buying a wood fire pit.

Pros of Wood Fire Pits 

• Traditional Campfire Experience — Sitting around a campfire is a tradition for many families and you don’t get the wonderful smell of wood smoke, the crackling sound of burning wood, or the same ambiance when you opt for a smokeless fire pit or fire pits that run on propane or natural gas.
• Affordability — Are you shopping for a fire pit on a budget? Wood burning fire pits are more affordable than smokeless, propane, or natural gas fire pits in most cases. Fox River Fire Rings — for example — start at $120 for a 30-inch fire pit manufactured with 12-gauge steel. Smokeless fire pit options like the entry-level Breeo® X Series start at $399 and the Solo Stove® Ranger 2.0 starts at $229.00.
• Easy to Use and Install — The installation of a wood burning fire pit in your backyard is as simple as finding level ground, putting down a layer of sand or gravel, and putting your fire pit on top. You can choose to build a fire pit surround with rock or brick and that can be done over a weekend with a little help and some instructions. 
• Customizable Designs — Many wood fire pit brands, like Fox River Fire Rings, provide customizable design options that will set your fire pit apart. Fox River Fire Rings can add custom text to your steel fire ring to pair with one of our many creative designs.
• Reduced Material Costs — You will need fuel for your fire and wood may be the most affordable resource available. You can purchase firewood bundles at your local hardware store or Kwik Trip at affordable prices or if you live outside city limits, you can pick it up off the ground. By comparison — propane costs $12 per 1,000 cubic feet on average and natural gas can cost as much as $25 per linear foot to run gas lines.

Cons of Wood Fire Pits 

• More Maintenance — Wood fire pits may require additional maintenance and care than propane or natural gas fire pits. It is important to clean up and dispose of ashes after a fire and annual maintenance will help preserve the steel. 
• Smoke and Ashes — Do you love the warmth, ambiance, and fire light that go hand in hand with a backyard fire pit? Do you hate getting smoke in your eyes or smelling like a campfire? We know it’s not for everyone and if that sounds like you, you may want to consider other options.
• Time Consuming to Start — Has it been a few years since Cub Scouts when you learned to start a fire? If it has been awhile, it may take you a little time to get the hang of it. There are a lot of products and methods you can use to easily start a fire, but it may still take some time to become a fire guru compared to propane or gas fire pits.

READ MORE: What Size Fire Ring Should You Buy?

Are you interested in a wood burning fire pit for your backyard? You may be interested in our list of the pros and cons of a wood fire pit at Fox River Fire Rings. We hope that this quick list has helped answer some of your questions.

Contact Fox River Fire Rings today to learn more about our custom backyard fire rings in Neenah, WI!