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The Do's and Don'ts of Using a Fire Bowl
The Do's and Don'ts of Using a Fire Bowl
This summer hasn't exactly been the warmest, and with family gatherings in the garden, you may have considered purchasing a fire bowl to keep everyone warm, or with the thought of autumn on the way, you may just want to enjoy your garden a little bit longer. We have put together this guide to help you make sure you get the best out of your fire bowl, in a safe and practical way.
DO'S
Pick a location that is a suitable distance from any flammable items, including your house, furniture, fences, and anything that may be above the fire bowl. 3 metres or 10 feet is the best distance from your house.
Use well-seasoned wood, as this produces less smoke, or alternatively charcoal (not house coal).
Start your fire at least half an hour before you want to use your fire pit. The first half an hour is when most of the smoke is produced.
Clean your fire bowl regularly. After use, make sure you remove the residual ash, as when wet, it does become corrosive to the metal. If you wait until it has cooled you can simply scoop it out and add to your compost. When used on the garden, this helps keep pests away and is great for your plants, as ash is rich in potassium.
When cleaning the fire bowls or baskets from the Cook King range on our website you should use a damp cloth and then dry thoroughly, but please keep in mind that black raw steel may have rust appear after some time, as this is a natural process that occurs. This can be maintained by sanding with a fine grade sandpaper and painting with a high-temperature paint. The inside of black steel bowls should not be painted, but can be coated with a thin layer of edible oil. Regular use of your fire bowl during the season will help to prevent corrosion.
DON'TS
Don’t put your fire bowl directly on to wooden decking! You can use pavers underneath, or fire bowl mats can be purchased to protect your decking and lawn from getting scorched and catching on fire. You could even add a couple of inches of sand at the bottom of your bowl to create an additional layer between the ground and the fire.
Don’t set your fire bowl up on an uneven surface - there’s always a risk the bowl could tip over when in use.
Don’t use petrol or other flammable liquids to start your fire – balled up newspaper will work just fine!
If it’s a particularly windy night, don’t use your fire bowl, unless you are in a sheltered area.
Never leave your fire bowl unattended. When not in use, make sure the fire is put out, or a lid is placed on top of the fire bowl. A lid will also help protect the inside of your fire bowl, and keep the ash and burnt wood in the base dry, ready for next use. We currently have an 80cm Cook King Lid on our website, which fits most of the fire bowls available. Click here for more information
We have a variety of Cook King Fire Bowls and Baskets on our website, with additional accessories, including grills, wood stores, and lids. Click here if you would like more information on this collection.