Nothing beats sitting in front of an outdoor fireplace on a crisp autumn night, roasting marshmallows with the kids or drinking cocktails with family and friends. As you entertain in your backyard paradise, basking in the warmth and glow that exudes from the hearth. Here are helpful tips to assist design high-performance outdoor fireplaces:

Masonry fireplaces are one-of-a-kind and fantastic.

If you enjoy entertaining outside, an outdoor fireplace is an excellent addition to your backyard patio. Fire pits are lovely, but you have to keep moving your chair around the fire to prevent getting smoke in your face. Even on a calm evening, those of us who have sat around a fire pit can attest to the fact that avoiding the smoke is practically impossible. This is what distinguishes brick fireplaces from other types of fireplaces.

Outdoor fireplaces with chimneys constructed to order

These kit fireplaces are too small, and the fireboxes are too small. They also lack a proper smoke chamber and smoke shelf, which are necessary for drawing smoke up the chimney. Custom-built brick outdoor fireplaces have more giant chimney stacks that funnel smoke up the chimney by producing a vacuum effect.

Make sure the firebox isn’t bigger than 30 inches.

Another key consideration when designing an outdoor fireplace is that the firebox aperture should not surpass 30 inches in height. This is significant since you’re burning outside, and the wind might suck the smoke out the front of the fireplace if it changes direction frequently. This occurs more often in taller fire-boxes, according to my observations. It is preferable to have a shorter firebox since this will funnel the smoke more quickly and limit the risk of smoke leaking into the outdoor living area.

Bigger isn’t always better

Some people believe that a larger fireplace equals greater heat; however, this is not the case. A well-built fireplace will provide more than enough heat to warm the outdoor living space. A larger firebox can result in heat loss and inefficiency, especially if you’re using it to burn a little fire.  An open fire pit is an excellent example of this. When you’re sitting next to a fire in a fire pit, you’re toasty warm, yet.

Conclusion

Make sure you pick a competent fireplace mason who understands the anatomy of the outdoor fireplaces and how it operates when looking for an outdoor fireplace builder. Many landscaping companies or general contractors sell outdoor fireplace kits without understanding how a fireplace works. If you are going to buy outdoor fireplace, make sure you contact a competent masonry contractor that has the knowledge and knows what it takes to make it work properly so you can enjoy the atmosphere and create lasting memories. The alternative may cost you your enjoyable pleasure in exchange for a cloud of smoke in your face.