If safety is a priority, a patio heater should give you much more peace of mind. They usually come with grills and screens to shield the heat and will automatically switch off if they overheat, as well as turning the gas off if the flame goes out. Plus, there will be no ash and embers to worry about. These fire pits are made using a recycled washing-machine drum – great if you want to get creative and save some money. All you need to do is remove the drum from the machine, along with any plastic parts, then stake it safely into the ground. You can add legs if you want it higher off the ground. Patio heaters are powered by gas or electric and come in all shapes and sizes. You can also find heaters for a wide range of budgets.

One-minute set-up time / 24” x 24” burn area / Nylon carrybag / fire mesh / ember guards / collapsible frame / heat shield / made from 304 stainless steel and aircraft aluminium / lifetime guarantee / dimensions (opened): 24″x24″x15″. Most are powered with bio-ethanol, which means it won’t create smoke and should be easy to switch on and off. It should also have some type of safety screen or glass surrounding it. However most fire pits will give you a full 360-degree view and allow you to make a larger fire. Patio heaters Gaining popularity as we all spend more time at home, fire pits are super versatile and can add some glamour to your garden. But choosing the right type, size and material before investing is essential.

Hoefats Beer Box

Chimineas are front-loading, freestanding fireplaces with a round bottom and a vertical chimney. Typically they're made of clay, cast iron or steel and come in a variety of sizes – opt for a model that you can cook on, too. Is a wood-burning stove bad for the environment, too? Our guide covers everything you need to know about stoves and pollution . How we selected prices and retailers Built with convenience and aesthetics in mind, gas fire pits are normally impressively designed around pebbles, faux wood or glass. This BBQ fire pit also comes with a removable grate and fire guard for cooking, and Aldi say it's light, portable, and simple to assemble. The Range Industrial Fire Pit

This is because when wood is burned, it releases harmful pollutants, such as small particles known as PM2.5. These tiny particles can be easily inhaled and can enter the bloodstream.Generally speaking, the larger the pit, the more heat it will give off, although other factors can change this, including what materials it's made of and the fuel you use to power it. Fire pits and chimineas aren’t great either. In fact, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), while UK air quality has improved significantly over the past few decades, the burning of solid fuels (such as coal and wood) in our homes is the largest contributor of harmful particulate-matter (PM) emissions. This low-standing, steel fire pit will provide 360 degrees of wood-burning fire. It has three legs, as well as handles, so it can easily be manoeuvred around the garden and you can cook food over it if you want. Made of iron, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be used as a permanent or portable pit. To keep yours in good condition, you should rub it with oil after every other use. The steel will oxidise naturally over time, so it shouldn't need much maintenance. Where to buy a fire pit

Don’t make your pit too small or too big. Too small and the fire won’t get started; too big and it can get out of control. The average size is 0.9-1.2 metres wide. You’ll also have the added expense of buying the gas and you’ll need to make sure it’s topped up before entertaining. This artsy centrepiece is part of Aldi's garden shop range. It features a modern chrome-plated geometric design and stone-effect finish. Are you renovating your garden? If so, how about adding a hot tub? Here's our hot tub buying guide . What material is best for a fire pit? Stainless steel These fire pits are usually log-fuelled, and you can even burn certain wood chips to flavour your food. However, it's worth bearing in mind that they can produce a lot of smoke from the meat or oil drippings, so they need to be cleaned frequently.Includes firepit, grill and ferrocerium rod / minimalist design / stainless steel / foldable and rollable grill / built-in windshield / airflow / dimensions: 29x28cm grill Fortunately, if you're looking to save money, some of the more affordable materials are durable , so you won’t need to keep replacing it each year.

The height will often depend on whether you want to rest things on a table, but if you want to feel the warmth from your pit, you shouldn’t go much higher than 50cm from the ground. Find out the running costs and which we named best patio heater. Are outdoor heaters bad for the environment?

You can get a variety of designs, including coffee tables, dining tables and high-top tables; they’re almost always powered by gas or electric, but you can get wood-burning ones, too. We list brands to buy in our garden furniture buying guide. Gas patio heaters are one of the worst in terms of energy efficiency and the amount of CO2 emissions they emit. They are also pretty pricey.