How Do You Keep Your Fire Pit from Rusting? (Why Your Fire Pit is Rusting)

Fire pits are the highlight of summer; what better way to spend time with friends and family than around a fire pit.

Fire pits are also improving your outdoor appearance and provide warmth during the cold season.

But what comes next after your fire pit rust, you being to look for ways to keep your fire pit from rusting, by it is quite simple.

Keeping your fire pits working should be kept in good condition, and maintenance procedures should always be followed.

Why Is My Fire Pit Rusting?

You fit pit rusting is inevitable; it would happen someday, but why to sit down and allow it to happen when you can find out what makes your fire pit rust and reduce its effect on your fire pit.

Weather conditions like rain, hail, and wind may contribute to rusting; we all know that rusting occurs when a metal is exposed to moisture and air. Of course, there is a solution for rusting, but it won’t last forever.

These days, carbon steel fire pits are covered with anti-corrosion. It’s a resistant coating to prevent rusting, but with time the coating starts to burn off, exposing your carbon steel to moisture and air, which will eventually make it rust.

Metals like copper can withstand the rusting elements to an extent, while metals with low tolerance will be coated with high-temperature paint.

Can You Use a Rusted Fire Pit?

Not only does rusting makes your fire pit appear old, but it is also not safe to use. The exposed rusted edges in your fire pit may give contaminated cuts to people walking close to it. Ashes also leak from the holes caused by rusting.

These are the only reasons why it is not entirely safe to use a rusted fire pit. You can use a rusted fire pit, but continuous use will reduce your fire pit’s guaranteed life and eventually damage it.

Which Metal Is Best for Fire Pits?

Not all metals will rust, as some metals are more tolerant when exposed to rusting conditions. Like we stated earlier, metals like copper can hold up longer than carbon steel will hold up.

Stainless steel is the best metal for a fire pit. It is corrosion-resistant, durable, and lightweight, but stainless steel is more expensive, unlike carbon steel that is commonly used.

Copper is another option, but just like stainless steel, it is expensive. On the other hand, cast iron is great, but it weighs a lot and can be very heavy.

Do Stainless Steel Fire Pits Rust?

Unlike carbon steel and aluminum, stainless steel is corrosion resistant and can hold up for a long time when exposed to conditions like humidity, moisture, and oxygen.

It is versatile, durable it has a high melting point. Stainless Steel transfers heat easily; this feature will be amazing for cold weather but would be an advantage during hot weather. But overall, stainless-steel fire pits are the best option.

Should You Put Sand in Your Metal Fire Pit?

Sand is a great material to put at the bottom of your firepots. Sand heats and distributes the heat around your fire pit evenly, another advantage of using sand in your fire pit is that it prevents the base of your fire pit from burning and deteriorating.

While using sand in your fire pit is great, it can be difficult and annoying to clean. Other materials can be used at the base of your fire pit.

For a propane fire pit, you should ensure that your sand is pure as impure and can emit a foul odor when burnt with propane, your fire pit comes with instructions, and some instructions state whether to put sand in your fire pit is okay or not.

How Do You Keep Your Fire Pits from Rusting?

The best way to prevent your fire pit from rusting is to reduce its contact with moisture and air; this can be done by covering your fire pit with a plastic tarp when not in use. This method will help your fire pit last longer.

Use oil to coat any exposed metal surface and check your fire pit constantly to detect any sign of rust on time. Also, clean your fire pit after every use, get rid of ashes, sand, and other lingering debris.

You can use a rust remover to get rid of rust, but the rust remover you purchase is dependent on the type of rust present.

Stable rust is rust that stays for a long time; flash rust happens in an area where water has stayed for too long; this rust happens in a short period. Flaky rust may be common to fire pits as it occurs in areas where anti-corrosion coating is absent.

After identifying the type of rust present, use rust dissolved on your fire pit. Fortunately, fire pit rusts occur at the surface of the fire pit and should not be difficult to get rid of. But a downside to using rust dissolved is that it is toxic and may be harmful to your kids, pets, and even the environment.

Does A Fire Pit Need a Liner?

Using a fire pit liner is dependent on the type of material used to build your fire pit and how often you use it.

If your fire pit is built with fire bricks, they will be no need to use a fire pit liner; however, fire pits made of other materials may need a liner to prevent heat damage to the fire pit.

If your fire pit is a permanent installation in your yard and you use it often, you should get a liner to prevent the intense heat from damaging your fire pit. But if your use of a fire pit is seasonal and temporary, then a liner is optional.

What Do You Put at The Bottom of a Metal Fire Pit?

When it comes to materials that go at the base of your metal fire pit, there are many options to choose from. You can choose to put sand, gravels, lava rocks, glass, and ashes.

You should research the materials to put at the base of your fire pit as some of these materials emit a foul odor when burning.

Some materials may be best suited for a propane fire pit, while others go well with a wood fire pit. You should also read your fire pit instruction booklet to check if the use of any of these materials is prohibited.

Conclusion

Your fire pits rusting is unavoidable. However, there are some actions you can take to control rusting in your fire pit.

You should cover your fire pit with a fire pit cover when not in use; you should check and oil your fire pit regularly.

We have also suggested the best materials for making fire pits and their disadvantage; they should guide you when purchasing a pit.

The bottom line is that proper maintenance of your fire pit will reduce the rate of rusting and other factors that could damage it.

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How Do You Keep Your Fire Pit from Rusting?