If you love to sit around the fire pit with your family, enjoying those beautiful moments by the fire, then you need to learn how to clean an outdoor fire pit. Spending lots of beautiful times outside with family and friends, sitting around the fire pit with hot dogs, s’mores, and coffee comes with many memories.
So much work has gone into planning those hours of fun with family and friends.
But a dirty fire pit can ruin such moments; a fire pit with lots of ashes can cause smoke, making the space uncomfortable to use. And this is caused due to negligence in maintenance.
Cleaning an outdoor fire pit is straightforward, as long as you have the tools and can follow instructions to implement. However, no matter what type of fire pit you choose, it must be cleaned regularly to keep it in good condition.
Fire pits are a focal point that possesses eye-catching beauty within your backyard. Of course, it must also be well protected and kept in a safe location, but above all, it must be properly maintained to be effective and long-lasting.
Below is a detailed guide on cleaning an outdoor fire pit and making it look appealing again without any further ado.
How to Clean a Rusty Outdoor Fire Pit
Rusty fire pits are eyesores you want to avoid completely. Most times, they happen after years of use. Not to worry if this is the case with your fire pit. Here are five simple steps to get it back in good condition.
- Do this cleaning procedure outside, especially when using a rust dissolver. These chemicals can have a terrible effect on your immediate environment.
- Remove any dirt or debris from the surface of your fire pit using clean wool, a soft brush, wet rag, or sponge; clean up your fire pit as thoroughly as possible.
- Handle your rust dissolver carefully as you brush it on rusty areas with a brush or spray can. No matter the product, it is a caustic and toxic substance. Alternatively, Mix 1/4 cup of table salt with a gallon of warm water and pour into the fire pit. Let it sit overnight so that the rust comes off easily when you clean it out in the morning.
- Give your rust dissolver 15-30 minutes to get absorbed by the metal and scrubs off rust until traces are gone. If there is a significant amount of rust you are dealing with, you would probably need a second coating.
- Rinse away all of the dissolvers and reseal your fire pit.
- Finally, apply WD-40 over the entire surface of the fire pit to prevent future rusting and corrosion.
How To Clean Out A Firepit With Lava Rocks
All fire pits need to be cleaned regularly to maintain an attractive and appealing look. This is because they accumulate debris; sooner or later, they would build up and need to get shoveled out. If your fire pit has lava rocks, which are mostly propane gas fire pits, then here are the five easy steps for cleaning.
Step One:
Ensure that the fire pit is cool, then remove the lava rocks from the basin. Rinse the lava rocks and then leave them to dry. Lava rocks are porous, so they need a few hours to dry.
It’s advisable to clean them on a sunny day and leave them to dry in the sun. Wet lava rocks must never be heated up.
They would split, crack, and pop, and the pressure could toss them out of your firepit onto your lawn, or even worse, they could hit someone and damage your fire pit.
Read the manufacturer’s guide when buying lava rocks since they are all formulated differently.
Step Two:
Remove the ash from the fire pit so that debris and ash don’t spill all over your yard property, making it look unattractive. It’s advisable to buy a shovel and brush set to make your work easier.
The cleaning must be thorough, so ensure that you shovel everything out and get rid of debris, dirt fragments, and all other kinds of material you don’t need in your fireplace. Empty all the trash into a bin until you can see the bottom of your fireplace.
Step Three:
After donning protective coverings like a heavy-duty mask and respirator, you are ready to use a sturdy brush to remove all the remaining debris that the shovel couldn’t quite reach.
Once you’re satisfied that there’s no more ash, you can use water from a hose to clean up the fire pit and then give it a day under the sun to get completely dried up.
After it dries, brush it once more to remove the final pieces of grit that may still be lodged.
Step Four:
Be meticulous enough to check for damages, or you could use the opportunity to upgrade or do some repairs. You can spruce up your fire pit by changing your vents, changing the metal or stoneworks, combining lava glass with lava rocks, or adding flame accents.
Step Five:
Once you are sure that both the lava rocks and fire pit are dry and clean, it’s time to round up your cleaning process by putting the lava rocks back in. You can decide to use a filler as a foundational element for your lava rocks. Fillers should either be sand, volcanic ash, lava pebbles, or lava beads.
Sandstone and gravel are likely to explode when they get hot unless you’re sure about any other foundational fillers; it’s better to stick with those mentioned above.
The fire pit can accommodate the lava rocks without a filler too. Always ensure that the burners remain uncovered to prevent any danger. Then, you can add your clean, dry lava rocks and enjoy your fire pit once again.
If you are using new lava rocks, rinse them, they are still okay because; they would have accumulated some dirt from the package.
How To Clean A Brick Fire Pit
Masonry or brick fireplaces are durable and tough enough to handle all weather conditions. They are also typical attractions in any yard. You can set aside a day to clean them with these five simplistic steps:
- Use a stiff brush to clean up the soot stains
- Dissolve muriatic acid into the water using a ratio of 9:1. Of course, the water should be nine times more than the acid. If you can’t get your hands on the acid, a more straightforward solution of ½ cup of dishwashing liquid and 2 gallons of hot water should be mixed and used instead.
- Put on protective gloves and use your chosen mixture to scrub correctly.
- Thoroughly rinse the brick fire pit using a hose suited with a jet stream nozzle, then leave it to dry for two to three days.
- Once you are confident that it’s dry, apply a stone sealant to prevent any futuristic soot from sticking onto the fire pit, and you’ll be ready to enjoy it again.
How To Clean A Stainless Steel Fireplace
Stainless Steel fireplaces are popular and versatile, and durable. So if this is what you have, then knowing how to clean it will prolong its durability. Cleaning them is relatively easy and can be done with these four steps:
- Take your time to be extremely thorough about removing debris from the bowl or fire pit.
- Using a dry scrub brush or any other handy one, remove all kinds of loose ash and debris and pile them up in a dustbin.
- Get a washing solution of ¼ cup of baking soda and a gallon of water. Mix thoroughly and use a brush to scrub all parts of the bowl and firepit.
- Rinse out with fresh water, turn the stainless steel bowl, and leave to dry.
How to Clean and Care for a Cast Iron Fire Pit
If you’re lucky enough to have a cast iron fire pit, you know how wonderful it is to use. Cast iron is a beautiful material that lasts a lifetime.
Not only is it durable, but it also has a rustic look that any other material can’t replicate. Below is a simple step to clean your cast iron firepit
- Use steel wool to clean up the pit or bowl to remove debris, ash, and soot.
- Take your time to rinse the entire bowl to dislodge the remaining pieces of debris and soot.
- Dry with a soft cloth, then leave it in the sun.
- Then use a waterproof spray to keep it durable to weather elements.
But did you know that there are some special precautions you need to take with your new fire pit? Here are some tips on how to care for your cast iron fire pit so it lasts as long as possible:
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Season your firepit before use
Use high-quality mineral oil or vegetable oil to season your cast iron fire pit before use (follow the instructions on the bottle). This will help prevent rust from forming on the metal’s surface and protect against moisture buildup from rain or snowfall.
It does this by creating a seal between layers of paint or enamel paint finish coatings that may have become damaged over time due to exposure to UV from direct sunlight, which causes them to fade away faster than usual due to excessive exposure.
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Oil Your Fire Pit from time to time
Oil your cast iron every month or two to keep the cooking surface smooth. This will help prevent rust and build-up, ensure even heating, and make cleaning easier. To do this, rub vegetable oil all over the entire surface of the fire pit and then place it in an oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, remove from the oven and wipe off any excess oil with a rag or paper towel. If desired, you can also season your fire pit with beeswax or linseed oil.
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Keep It Clean
After each use, clean it with warm water and soap or mild household cleaner before drying thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel. You can also use baking soda if stubborn residue on your fire pit’s surface won’t come off easily with water alone. Baking soda is safe for most metals (including cast iron), so don’t worry about damaging it when using this method!
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Don’t Overfill Your Fire Pit.
You should never fill your fire pit with more than 2 inches of wood or charcoal. If you overfill it, there is a chance of the embers burning through the bottom of the fire pit and damaging your patio or decking material underneath it. This can also cause dangerous fumes when they burn through your flooring.
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Keep it covered when not in use.
If you have an outdoor living area where people will be coming in and out all day long, make sure they know not to leave their jackets lying on top of the fire pit or place their drinks down on top of it when they’re done using them (this can cause rusting). Instead, store these items somewhere else so they don’t get damaged or ruined by moisture from rain or snowfall; this will also help keep them durable and in good shape.
Fire Pit Cleaning Tools
It is important to use the right cleaning tools for your firepit. Based on research, here are some of the best ones:
Mini Ash Bucket with Lid
One of those sets of tools you will need to clean your fire pit is the Mini ash bucket with a lid. The shovel is used to pack ash out of the fire pit, while the brush is used for scrubbing, and the bucket is used to transport or keep the ashes.
The brush is made not to scratch the firepit when used for cleaning. Therefore ensuring the coating is still intact after cleaning. All these pieces of equipment are made of durable and all-weather materials to ensure it stands the test of time.
This set is an all-in-one cleaning tool needed to clean and maintain your firepit. If you love spending time grilling and carrying out other outdoor cooking, this is definitely a necessary tool.
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Unger Professional Hydropower Bi-Level Scrub Brush
Want to scrub and clean effortlessly? Then this ten-inch brush provides ease and gives a good refined-looking polish to the interior and exterior of your firepit. It tackles grime, grit, and debris and is a fantastic long-term cleaning choice.
This is a good alternative brush if the brush that comes with the mini ash bucket does not get the job done. This brush does not break easily and cleans hard stains with ease.
Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
If you want to clean your fire pit and maintain its appealing look, you need this super washing soda hammer. This household cleaner is one of the best washing sodas, and it is a great choice for metallic surfaces.
All you need is a ¼ cup and a gallon, and cleanup becomes a walk in the park. This super ashing soda removes oil and other tough stains from your fire pit and keeps it looking appealing over years of use.
Dawn Original Liquid Dishwashing
This liquid detergent is excellent at cleaning off soot, and it is recommended and hailed by experts as one of the best in the market today.
It is also functional for glass fire pit stones. Additionally, the dawn dish is usable in a power washer when properly mixed to clean other household items.
Fire Pit Maintenance Oil
This is essential for all the fire pits. It keeps it from oxidizing and gives it a shiny look and several layers of protection. The fire pit should be oiled regularly. If possible, at least once a week. Oiling should take more importance during the rainy season to prevent rust buildup.
Coat the grill or grates with modest layers of vegetable oil. Beeswax polish is also an ideal choice. Specific oils can also be purchased in stores or online via Amazon.
How To Make a Fire Pit Last Longer
A well manufactured and well-maintained fire pit should give you premium satisfaction and long-lasting enjoyment throughout its lifespan. Here are a few simple steps to get your firepit to last longer.
- Understand what your firepit is made of. All of them are built using custom-made or store-bought materials like brick, copper, stainless steel, and cast iron. Brick fire pits are safe and attractive, and the lifespan can be elongated with metal fire ring liners. Copper tends to lose its color over time, which can be combined with copper polish. Cast Iron is vulnerable to rusting over time and denting when hit. Cleaning and careful use make it last longer.
- Burn only dry wood in your firepit, and avoid combustibles like gasoline, lighter fluid, kerosene, etc. Dry wood or charcoal and matches are all you need.
- Always make sure the fires die out on their own. Never douse with water because water mixed with hot ash causes a sudden drop in temperature. Over time, this damages your firepit.
- Make it a habit to clean your fire pit and rid it of ashes and soot so that the corrosive substances don’t damage your fire pit.
- Cover it up when it’s not in use, no matter the season. But rains and snow can contribute to a deterioration process over time. As long as the cover is solid, it will do the job.
Conclusion
A fire pit is advantageous in many ways. It radiates energy, provides warmth and laughter, gives us good memories of gatherings and conversations, and it is generally a great Outdoor object to have.
However, enjoying the advantages comes with the responsibility of knowing how to clean your outdoor fire pit. This ensures that it lasts longer for several years to come.
It is advisable to clean your fire pit regularly after use to keep and store it away from the elements to prevent being affected by the weather. This will help enhance the durability of your pits more.
