We love the smell of campfire smoke on a warm summer night — but we don’t always want it in the house or in our faces around the fire. If you love to have a backyard fire, you have likely walked inside and found that your campfire smoke followed you or you have had it blowing in your face and you may want to know how to reduce smoke from your backyard fire pit. We may be able to help at Fox River Fire Rings with a few tips on how to prevent excess smoke when you enjoy your backyard fire pit this summer.
Top 5 Tips To Prevent Your Fire Pit From Smoking
Have you created the perfect backyard entertainment space with your fire pit? Do all of your backyard fires seem like they are too smokey? You may not know it, but there are a few things you can do to prevent excess smoke from your fire pit and ensure you have a clean burning fire. Here are a few tips and tricks we have learned over the years at Fox River Fire Rings and we hope they make your backyard fires safer and more enjoyable.
1. Use Dry Firewood
A key element that causes excess smoke when you start a fire is moisture in the wood. Make sure you use dry, seasoned firewood when you start your fire to prevent excess smoke. Firewood should be left to dry for at least six months to ensure it burns cleaner and produces less smoke.
2. Create Better Airflow in Your Fire Pit
When you start a fire in your backyard fire pit, it is important to consider airflow and ventilation. A jumbled pile of sticks and logs in your fire means less airflow and more smoke. We recommend Teepee or Log Cabin methods when you build your fire to ensure there is plenty of airflow for your fire.
3. Use Kindling to Start Your Fire
We know you want to get the party started when you build your fire, but if you want to reduce the amount of smoke from your fire, it is important to start with kindling. Larger logs — even if they are dry wood — take longer to catch fire and burn, and the slow burn means there is more smoke produced. Smaller kindling allows you to build a better flame before you put larger logs on the fire.
4. Know the Wind Direction
For your safety and enjoyment, it is important to know which direction the wind is coming from when you build your fire. A strong wind will always blow any smoke from your fire and knowing where the wind is coming from can help you create a backyard space that is more enjoyable for those around the fire. In addition — a strong wind can blow sparks and embers toward your home or property, making it even more important that your backyard fire pit is a safe distance from your house.
5. Clean Up Your Ashes
Excess ashes in your fire pit can block the flow of oxygen and allowing ashes to accumulate in your fire pit leads to excess smoke. When you have a fire, make sure to safely clean up and dispose of the ashes afterwards to reduce the amount of smoke when you have your next backyard get together.
READ MORE: Do I Need a Burn Permit for a Backyard Fire Pit?
Do you love a backyard campfire with family and friends, but hate all the smoke? We hope that this quick overview of how to reduce smoke from your backyard fire pit will help. Contact Fox River Fire Rings today to order a custom fire ring manufactured in Neenah, WI!
