How to put out a outdoor fire pit: Three tips to enjoy yours safely

Few things are better on a crisp evening than sitting outside around a warm fire with friends and family. It's hard to beat breathing in the cool, night air while staying toasty and warm in your own yard. But what happens when the fire burns low and it's time to turn in for the night? Before heading inside, you'll want to make sure that you successfully extinguish the flames in your pit. It's not safe to let a fire burn overnight because you could wake up to a dangerous house fire.

If you're trying to conserve water at home, there are alternative ways to put out a outdoor fire pit. Check out the different methods of extinguishing a fire below.

Covering an outside backyard fire pits with sand or dirt

No water? No problem. You can try using dirt or sand to put out a fire that has died down. With a shovel, scoop dry sand or dirt into your pit to extinguish the fire. Next, you'll want to stir it into the ash to make sure any embers are completely gone. Remember to check the fire and your surroundings before you leave the wood-burning fire pit.

If you're finding that you don't have enough sand or dirt on hand, you can also use the ash from the fire in a pinch. Keep in mind that this isn't the most ideal option, as it will reduce any flames but it won't reduce the heat.

The sand and dirt method is actually preferable if you have a metal fire pit that you plan to use season after season. Water that's left sitting in a metal pit will cause it to rust, so it's best to avoid using water with this type of fire pit.

Outdoor Heater Fire Pit

Try a snuffer Thrower to Put Out Outdoor Firepit
Some Fire Pit Bowls come with a snuffer that you can use to extinguish your fire. All fires need oxygen to sustain themselves, and a snuffer is designed as a metal lid that cuts off a fire's oxygen supply.

Even if your Outdoor Fire Bowl didn't come with a snuffer, you can always buy one. A snuffer works best if your pit is a solid bowl shape or any other design where airflow can be cut off from the fire. If air can still reach the flames, the snuffer won't be very effective.

Snuffers are useful because not only do they snuff fires out, but they also function as a cover for your fire pit when it's not in use. It can keep out the elements or any debris that may fall into your pit. You can also use it as a table if you don't currently have a fire going inside of it.

Turn off the gas fire pit switch by hand
If you have a gas fire pit, you can simply turn it off when you no longer need it. If your pit turns off with a key, remember not to misplace it or set it too close to the fire itself. A metal key will get hot over time and potentially burn you when you pick it up. Like with any other fire pit, always check that any rocks or glass in the pit have cooled off before leaving it alone.

Corten Steel Low Smoke Fire Pit