For many, warm weather means spending as much time as possible outside with friends and loved ones. In the summer, people everywhere love to entertain guests with pool parties and backyard barbecues. The addition of an outdoor fireplace can make your enjoyment of the warmer months that much greater. By adding a focal point to your patio or backyard, outdoor fireplaces allow you to spend evenings and nights outside huddled around the warm ambiance of a fire, and extend the warm months by allowing you to stay outside longer even as the temperatures start to drop.

What is the difference between an outdoor fireplace and an outdoor fire pit? In some cases, the terms are used interchangeably. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits both have varying sizes and degrees of portability. Either can be built into the ground as a permanent fixture, or purchased as a standalone unit. In general, however, fire pits tends to refer to units that are lower to the ground, wider, with some sort of dome or screen that is placed over the wood or charcoal. Outdoor fireplaces usually are taller and more vertical. They may have a base like an outdoor fire pit, but with vertical screened sides, and some sort of chimney on top. Some outdoor fireplaces even have three sides surrounded by stone or solid metal, with an opening that looks like a traditional indoor fireplace. These types of outdoor fireplaces are usually larger standalone units, or custom built-in units.

As with other types of outdoor fire pits, you should make sure that your outdoor fireplace is not too difficult for you to assemble yourself. Read reviews online to determine the skill level required. Some newer models of outdoor fireplace feature a tool-free setup.

If you are looking for an outdoor fireplace with a 360-degree view of the flame, be sure that you get one with a heavy mesh surround for safety. Other features to look for include: a large hinged door that allows you to add more logs easily and safely; coated steel or some other type of non-corrosive metal to avoid rust; a heavy grate on which to place logs or other types of fuel, such as charcoals; and a sturdy stand on which the unit rests. This type of outdoor fireplace is often made of heavy steel with a black coating. Some of the higher-end models include copper accents or other decorative touches.

If you are in the market for an outdoor fireplace that looks more like a traditional fireplace, there are standalone models available. Many of these have three sealed sides, often cast out of a stone-like material to look like real stone or brick. They are often placed against a wall. Some of these units burn real wood or charcoal, and feature a heavy grate on which the wood is placed. Other types of these outdoor fireplaces burn propane or natural gas, and use faux logs made out of ceramic or a similar material.

Many outdoor fireplaces have gotten excellent reviews – whether you opt for a fireplace or another variety of fire pit at the fire pit outdoor website, be sure to shop around and you will be sure to find an outdoor fireplace well worth the price, that perfectly compliments your patio or backyard.