Are you looking for information about how to clean a fire pit? Would you like to know the best way to keep your fire pit clean?
Having a squeaky clean fire pit brings that classy and rustic look to your backyard. A clean fire pit allows you to enjoy energetic evenings with your loved ones while enjoying its ambiance and the outdoors.
A fresh fire pit gives a unique ambiance, warmth, and camaraderie. This is because fire pits radiate energy, activeness, and presence by creating the ideal gathering place for chatting, laughing, and sharing memories.
Whether your fire pit is constructed from durable materials like metal or stone, and whether it runs on logs or gas, cleaning it thoroughly helps it stay in excellent condition for many years.
So, how do you clean a fire pit? As you already know, fire pits are made from durable materials such as steel, cast iron, stone, etc. You will also need some tools to make the cleaning process easier and faster.
Before highlighting how to clean a fire pit step by step, here are some of the tools you will need to make the entire process less stressful for you:
- A pair of garden gloves
- A bucket or storage container
- A dustpan
- A broom
- A shovel
- A garden hosepipe and water source
- Stiff-bristled brushes
- Steel wool
- A pair of heat-resistant mitts
- Hot water
- Washing soda
- A poker stick
- Some chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, etc.
We will go through the s process of how to clean the different types of fire pits you know:
Step by Step Process
How to Clean a Metal or Steel Fire Pit
These types of fire pits are versatile and popular options. Follow these steps to clean it if you have one:
- Step One
Remove the debris and ash from the bowl and the fire pit
- Step Two
Use the dry scrub brush to get rid of loose debris and ash from the fire pit's exterior and interior metal surfaces.
- Step Three
Spray the fire pit using the garden hosepipe. Then wipe it lightly using a soapy water solution. Scrub all metal surfaces using the stiff-bristled brush and a solution of ¼ cup of washing soda dissolved in one gallon of hot water.
- Step Four
Rinse the fire pit thoroughly with fresh, clean water. Then turn the bowl upside down in order to allow it to air dry completely.
How to Clean a Masonry, Brick, Or Stone Fire Pit
This is a durable, eye-catching focal point in any backyard. Follow these steps to clean this type of fire pit thoroughly:
- Step One
Scrub the fire pit’s bowl using the stiff-bristled brush in order to get rid of large soot stains.
- Step Two
You can scrub the interior by using a solution of one-part hydrochloric acid to 9-parts clean water. Dissolve half a cup of grease-fighting dishwashing liquid in two gallons of hot water. This is the solution to use.
- Step Three
Scrub the fire pit bowl with the solution you prepared in Step two. Make sure your hands are covered with protective gloves.
- Step Four
Rinse the fire pit with water using a garden hosepipe connected to a water source. Then leave it to dry for up to 72 hours.
- Step Five
Apply a stone sealant that helps prevent soot from sticking to the interior of the fire pit bowl.
How to Clean a Cast Iron Fire Pit
Cleaning cast iron fire pits are somewhat more challenging than cleaning other types of fire pits. The primary reason for this is that cast iron fire pits naturally produce a harmless top layer of rust to the fire bowl.
But you can clean this fire pit – in order to restore its dark industrial vibe – by following these steps:
- Step One
Get some steel wool and use it to clean the bowl or pit in order to get rid of all kinds of debris and ash.
- Step Two
Rinse off any soot using the garden hosepipe connected to water.
- Step Three
Dry the fire pit using a soft piece of cloth.
How to Clean a Wood-Burning Fire Pit
Wood-burning fire pits are always appealing to folks who love the rustic lifestyle. This is understandable as the eye-charming flames, the fantastic smell of seasoned hickory or oak woods, and the ambiance help create lasting memories.
This is how to clean a wood-burning fire pit:
- Step One
Wait patiently until the ashes in the fire pit are cool, as they can stay hot for several hours.
- Step Two
Remove debris and ashes using a fire pit ashtray.
- Step Three
Brush out the collected ash and debris using the small scoop or shovel.
- Step Four
Wear the heat-resistant mitts and take out the remaining large pieces of wood that remain in the fire pit.
- Step Five
Transfer all the ash and debris to the metal bucket.
- Step Six
Take away your fire pit’s spark screen and clean it using a whisk brush and soapy, warm water.
- Step Seven
Get rid of any significant piece of debris. Don't forget to check the fire pit for any more pieces of wood that did not burn.
- Step Eight
Scoop out any chunks of ashes left. Check deeper recessed areas at the bottom of the fire pit for ash collection.
- Step Nine
When the fire pit is cleaned out thoroughly, replace the fire pit cover and spark screen. This is to protect it from poor weather and animals.
- Step Ten
Don't throw away the wood ash, as you can use it for de-icing walkways during winter. Wood ash can also be used for potting and planting as well as making strong cleaning solutions.
How to Clean a Gas Fire Pit
Most gas fire pits are easy to operate and low-maintenance. The gas and burner lines require cleaning from time to time. Here's how to go about it:
- Step One
Wipe down every flat surface of the pit with a mixture of soap and warm water.
- Step Two
Check the gas line connections in order to ensure they are leak-free.
- Step Three
Place the fire pit cover over the pit itself. This helps it remain as clean as a whistle until the next soiree.
- Step Four
Clean the burners for proper flow via the burner.
How to Remove Rust from Fire Pit
When the weather starts turning after a long cold winter and the days are getting longer, it is time to get your outdoor fire pit into action.
However, the harsh weather – and perhaps the fire pit’s old age – are perfect conditions for rust.
But you don't have to toss away this fire pit and get a new one in its stead. You can remove rust from this fire pit and restore its former glory. This is not a difficult task, but you have to do it right if you want your fire pit to last long.
But what is rust? Rust is just iron oxide, a compound that forms when iron is exposed to water and oxygen for prolonged periods. It is not a quick process, though it is possible to increase the speed of oxidation of the metal.
This increase can occur via changes in temperature, humidity, and high salt content. It can also take place if your area is particularly rainy.
Rust can cause lots of havoc if it is left to its devices. It is potent enough to create holes in your fire pit and render it useless and unsafe to use.
Different types of rust exist that you need to know. In most cases, the differences between the types of rust are not immediately apparent, especially to the untrained eye.
But if you know the type of rust on your fire pit, you will know precisely how to fix it. Here are the 4 types of rust you need to know:
- Flaking rust
This type of rust is primarily found in spots where paint coats do not fully cover. You can recognize this type of rust easily because it usually takes up more volume than the authentic metal beneath.
- Stable rust
This type of rust is considered the ‘good type’ as it is often intentionally used for protecting metal from further corrosion. Stable rust is usually employed extensively in industrial design and is now a most sought-after aesthetic.
For instance, if your fire pit is constructed from corten metal, the rust layer on your appliance is stable rust. You should keep it and not attempt to get rid of it.
- Flash rust
This type of rust occurs when a particular area or spot is exposed to water. For instance, a small pool of water at the bottom of your metal-based fire pit can cause flash rust.
Flash rust is generally bright orange and forms pretty quickly if one is not careful.
- Pitting rust
Pitting rust usually forms due to trapped moisture. You can often see pitting rust on metal tools or furniture with cavities that moisture can get into.
Now that you know the different types of rust, it is time to discover how to remove rust from your fire pit.
There are 2 major categories for getting rid of rust from your fire pit, namely:
- Using natural methods
- Using chemical-based removal products
You can use any of these methods to get rid of rust from your fire pit. Let’s see how you can do it.
- Using Natural Methods
You will find many suggestions on using natural methods to eliminate rust from your fire pit. But here are some of the favorite options that guarantee excellent results:
- Baking soda
Baking soda can be used in a wide variety of applications. But for removing rust from your fire pit, you have to mix baking soda with water until it turns into a paste thick enough to stick to the rusted spots.
Leave the baking soda paste for several hours, then scrub it off thoroughly with steel wool.
- White vinegar
Everyone knows that vinegar is naturally acidic such that it can easily dissolve rust.
Pour the vinegar or apply it directly – using a piece of cloth – to the affected spot in order to get rid of the rust. Ensure you wash off the areas thoroughly after a short while.
This is because leaving vinegar may continue or even accelerate the rusting process.
- Cola
Cola has high acidic pH due to its phosphoric acid content. It works for getting rid of rust from fire pits.
- Lemon juice
You can add a pinch or two of salt to lemon juice and apply the mixture to the affected spots on your fire pit.
Rinse it off after a while. Do not leave lemon juice on your fire pit for extended periods, as this could cause even more damage. Therefore, make sure you rinse off the mixture thoroughly.
- Using Chemical-Based Removal Products
Most of the chemicals used in removing rust are toxic. In everything you do, safety must come first. This is why you need to be adequately prepared before using this method to get rid of rust from your fire pit.
Read the instructions on the chosen chemical-based product. This is to get familiar with how to use it without harming yourself.
However, stick to the following guidelines:
- When using any chemical to rid your fire pit of rust, ensure you work in well-ventilated areas away from anything that may suffer harm from runoffs. Therefore, the perfect location for this exercise is outside.
- Clean the fire pit with water and a soft scrub brush. Consider using steel wool, as this may even start removing some of the rust on your unit.
- Apply the chemical-based rust remover to the affected rusted areas using an old brush.
- Most chemical-based rust removal products start working after approximately 30 minutes. Tricky rusted areas may require a second coat of the chemical-based rust remover.
- Wash off the chemical-based rust remover as soon as the recommended period has elapsed.
Bear in mind that rinsing and drying the fire pit thoroughly, irrespective of the method you use, is highly crucial.
Have you considered how tiring it can be to get rid of rust from your fire pit every year? The truth is that you can easily prevent rust from taking over your fire pit. Follow these tips, and your fire pit will no longer be under corrosion sieges:
- Regularly clean and thoroughly dry your fire pit
- Keep the fire pit in a clean, dry place over the winter
- Ensure your fire pit is kept under a cover
- Keep a close eye on your fire pit, and always look for the start of the formation of rust so that you can nip its development in the bud.
Conclusion
You can restore your fire pit by getting rid of the rust using the methods described.
Doing this may not be arduous, but you can prevent this by staying vigilant.
Arrest any signs of rust you see as soon as possible in order to ensure your fire pit remains safe and in great shape for several years to come.
Also, ensure that you follow the best practices on how to clean a fire pit depending on the type you have to keep it in top shape.
Check out our full review of the best electric fire pits