Whether it’s a campfire or your backyard fire pit, nothing beats the warmth and ambiance of a crackling fire.
But while you’re relaxing and staring at the mesmerizing flames, something seems off.
A flame that won’t stay lit is one of the frustrations I’ve experienced myself, and it’s quite challenging to be in the mood when you have to reignite your fire every few minutes.
But don’t worry because now I’ll share with you how to keep a fire going in a fire pit and explain the factors that might lead to it prematurely going out.
Why Does My Fire Pit Keep Going Out?
If you have a propane or bioethanol fire pit, the answer could be simple: you’ve run out of fuel.
Both fire pit types require a consistent fuel supply, and you must store fuel to guarantee that your fire will remain lit.
But this isn’t the only reason why your fire keeps going out. There might also be a problem with the piping inside your fire pit, preventing the fuel from being lit to create the flames that keep you warm.
In the case of a natural gas fire pit, there might be an issue with the piping system or installation, as these models directly connect to your property’s supply of natural gas.
I personally wouldn’t recommend trying to resolve any of these issues by yourself. You might mess up with the piping and void your warranty, and it’s best to leave this job to professionals.
Why Won’t My Wood-Buring Fire Pit Stay Lit?
Wood-burning fire pits are a different story because, since the beginning of time, people have been starting fires and keeping them going for warmth, protection, and culinary purposes.
Your fire might go out for several reasons.
1 – You Didn’t Use the Right Starter Wood
Starter wood isn’t meant to stay lit for long, but it ignites quickly to generate heat and help you burn the wood logs you will use for your fire pit.
This process is known as kindling, and you should use dry twigs, shavings, and branches that you can easily ignite. Seasoned and kiln-dried logs work for this step, although the kiln-dried ones are better.
2 – You Used the Wrong Type of Wood
Using wet, unseasoned wood is the most common rookie mistake and one I made in my early fire pit days.
This happens when you don’t let the wood sit after it’s been cut or when you’ve used softwood logs instead of hardwood.
Wood with a 20% moisture content or higher shouldn’t be used for burning because it will quickly go out.
This is why it’s recommended to let the wood dry for at least six months. However, it’s best to leave it to season or one or two years.
3 – There Isn’t Enough Airflow
Stacking the wood logs too close to one another can kill your fire too quickly.
A fire needs an oxygen source to keep going, so you should leave space between the logs to allow the air to circulate.
There might not be enough airflow if you don’t clean your vents regularly or allow ash to accumulate and block the air.
4 – You Picked the Wrong Location For Your Fire Pit
Choosing the right location for your fire pit guarantees that your fire won’t go out.
The fire pit should be protected from the wind, either by nearby buildings or trees. Wind and rain can quickly put it out if you keep it in the open.
How to Keep a Fire Going in a Fire Pit
With the proper setup and techniques, your fire will go on for hours, creating a cozy and inviting ambiance that you can enjoy by yourself or with your loved ones while talking, listening to music, or playing games.
These are some of the tips I tried to keep my fire going, and you can apply them, too.
1 – Choose the Right Fuel
Regardless of the fire pit type, choosing high-quality fuel is paramount. High-quality propane, natural gas, and ethanol will keep your fire going for as long as you want.
If something seems off, you might just have to adjust the knob and see how the flame looks. You might need to hire a professional to check the pipes and vents if the fire keeps going out.
Now, what about wood-burning fire pits?
As you might have expected, these models take more work, but I promise it’s worth it.
Choosing high-quality hardwood logs like hickory, maple, and oak, is highly recommended. These slow-burning logs will emit heat and can burn for hours without any effort on your behalf.
Use softwood only for ignition purposes because the fire dies out quickly. You should also remember to clean the vents and chimney, as the accumulation of ash can affect how long your fire will last.
2 – Check Your Fire Pit
Before starting your fire, ensure your chimney is the appropriate size for the fire pit.
If it’s too narrow, it will choke the smoke before it can exhaust. As a result, it will circulate back into the fire pit, cooling your fire and emitting smoke that irritates the eyes.
You should also check that the flue damper functions well, allowing the smoke to flow freely. Dampers rust over time, so you can remove the rust and use an industrial lubricant, like WD-40 to keep the hinges functioning smoothly.
Eventually, you’ll have to replace an old damper, but it won’t be that expensive.
3 – Prepare Your Wood Properly
Cutting and placing your wood pieces is as essential as choosing the right wood type.
Ideally, you should cut wood logs into one or two-inch thick four to six-inch long splits and arrange them around your fire pit without overly stacking them.
This will allow the air to circulate and keep your fire on.
Extra wood should be stored in a dry, cool area to protect it from moisture.
4 – Keep Stirring
While the fire is burning, use a rack to spread the logs to maintain adequate air circulation and ensure that all of them are burning.
Monitor your fire and add more logs before the flames become too low. This will save you the time you might spend on reignition.
But avoid overloading the fire pit with too many logs as this can smother your fire.
Final Thoughts
Propane, natural gas, and ethanol fire pits might stop burning if there’s a problem with the fuel or the connections and pipings.
I always recommend hiring a professional to check your fire pit and get high-quality fuel to keep the fire on.
If you have a wood-burning fire pit, go for hardwood logs and ensure they’re dry. Arrange your logs to allow air to circulate, and keep the vents and chimney clean to protect your fire from being smothered by the smoke.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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