When choosing a fire pit grill you want to ask yourself a couple of questions.  What do I want to cook on this?  How many people do I want to be able to cook for?  Do I want to spend a little extra money on a higher quality fire pit grill?  First off if you are looking to cook five course meals your basic fire pit grill might not cut it.  Look for pits with a steel warmer and even a hook so you can hang a pot over the fire.

Size is very important if you are cooking for many people.  A diameter over 30 inches is ideal.  Another thing to consider is how long do you want this fire pit to last for?  A cheap fire pit grill may not be able to withstand the years of corrosion caused by frequent use.  I’m a big fan of FireSmith brand fire pits.  These American made fire pits are actually made to order and built with thick steel, which you don’t see too often on your typical fire pit.  These sturdy fire pits are made to last.  They also have inserts for cooking accessories.

Below is a recipe I found from allrecipes.com.  It is super easy and all you need to do is wrap the ingredients in foil packets, place over the fire and you have a delicious campfire meal! Bon Appétit!

Campfire Foil Packs

Recipe Yields 4 packets

Ingredients

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cubed
• 2 onions, diced
• 1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• 4 small potatoes, cubed
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced

Directions

• 1. In a large bowl, or a large zip-top bag, combine the chicken, onion, mushrooms, yellow pepper, red pepper, garlic, and potatoes. Pour in the olive oil and lemon juice, then mix well.
• 2. Evenly divide the mixture between 4 large sheets of aluminum foil. Top each with another sheet of foil, and roll up the edges tightly. Wrap each packet again, securely in another sheet of foil to double wrap.
• 3. Cook in the hot coals of a campfire until the chicken is opaque and the potatoes are tender, around 40 minutes.

Both electric and gas patio heaters can be used year round. The initial decision in deciding and purchasing either one of these heaters comes down to the desired outdoor space where you want to place it, which is very important. Some of the most popular places are on a deck/ patio, or your garden area. It would be ideal if the flooring is concrete, or at least very stable. More than likely you've also decided why you need a patio heater, which is more commonly used for entertaining family and friends, or just simply your own personal use to relax and enjoy the warmth of those flames on a cool evening.

Whether gas or electric, these heaters comes in various options, some are: permanent, freestanding, ceiling or wall mounted, tabletop, and portable patio heaters with wheels. Some of these electric heaters are the infrared and halogen heaters.

The electric patio heater has become increasingly popular in recent years in residential homes, following the trend of bars and restaurants to have heaters to help extend the summer season, which enables customers to eat or drink outside. They are considered by many to be the most convenient patio heaters, mainly because you don't have to worry about filling gas or propane. As long as you have an electric outlet in the area, you're ready to plug in and start using your heater. If needed an extension cord is always an option to reach an outlet if one is not close by.

Unless you're that brave and like to challenge Mother Nature during some of its more windy times, electric patio heaters are usually unaffected by wind when in use. They usually require very minimal or no maintenance at all, and also generates instant heat. Normally these heaters can warm up to a 12 -20 foot radius by ten to fifteen degrees. There are no UV rays, silent operation, no wasteful heating of the air. They use about 1/10 the energy costs of LPG Heaters, no harmful emissions or toxic residuals, and uses the standard 110V household current. By not using a flammable source, these heaters can be placed or put in places that you may not be able to place a gas heater in safely.

Heat from a gas patio heater appeals to many people because of the visual of flames, also its radiant heat, which feels the same as the natural heat from the sun. These heaters usually work with a gas cylinder/ tank, which is what is used on a gas barbeque grill, typically a 20 lb tank. On average a 20 lb tank will supply about 10 hours of continued heat. You also don't necessarily have to buy a separate cylinder for your patio heater if you have a gas grill; you can easily disconnect the tank from the grill, then connect and use it for your patio heater, which is a common practice by many, because more than likely both the grill and the patio heater will not be used at the same time.

If needed, you can find gas cylinders from your local hardware stores such as Lowe's or Home Depot, Sears etc. The hookup is simple, just connect the patio heater tube with the end fitting to the connector/ regulator on the gas cylinder, and switch on your heater for instant heat. These heaters are nontoxic with minimal emissions. When combined with air, propane will not ignite unless the source of ignition gets all the way up to 940 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some of these types of patio heaters are the table top and free-standing heaters, which don't take up a lot of space, looks very stylish, are trendy and lean, and come in various designs and styles to meet the outdoor heating needs of everyone. The table-top heaters are adjustable to about 10,000 BTU's, and the standard bigger heaters are between 40-46,000 BTU's. It's easy and quick to setup these heaters. The instructions are usually no more than 20 minutes. The option of cylinders makes them moveable, so they can be shifted from one place to another.

You can get stainless steel gas patio heaters to keep them safe and unaffected by the weather. Some gas heaters don't use the cylinders, and are hooked up to the gas line in your home. These are usually a permanent hookup that stays in one location.

This is an article I found on DoItYourself.com

Fire pits make a wonderful addition to any backyard, as they provide a warm retreat to gather around on chilly days and nights. When choosing a fire pit for your backyard, you’ll have a lot of options available to you. This fire pits buyer’s guide will help you understand your options so you can easily determine which fire pit is right for you.

Types of Fire Pits

There are two main types of fire pits, and the difference has to do with how the fire is fueled. You could purchase a wood fire pit or a gas powered fire pit. Both of them will provide you with a fire, but there are a few key differences between them. Some people prefer the smell of real wood burning in their fire pit, as it makes them feel like they are around a campfire. It also tends to provide a fuller type of fire that looks different than that of a gas fire pit.

With a gas fire pit, the process of getting things going will be a lot easier. You will not have to worry about collecting or buying wood; you can simply turn the gas on and light up your fire. Many people like this level of convenience and do not want to have to worry about handling firewood.

One of the potential drawbacks of using a gas fire pit is that it can be more expensive. The initial outlay of installing gas lines will be fairly costly. If you do this when you are building your house, it may not be as bad as if you try to go back and add it in later. If you live in a wooded area, it may be easier for you to simply go around and collect some firewood from time to time. This will provide you with a free way to enjoy a nice fire on your back porch.

You can purchase a propane fire pit that does not require gas lines to be installed, and you can simply hook it up to a propane tank just like you would with a barbecue grill. With this type of gas tank, you will have to buy more propane in order to keep enjoying your fire. You will also have to deal with the issue of where to place the propane tank so that it is concealed, if you don't want it seen. Many propane fire pits allow you to hook up a long hose to the propane tank so that it does not have to sit right next to the fire pit. However, then you may worry about not tripping over the hose.

Frame

The frame of the fire pit will also provide you with a few different choices. For example, you could choose between copper or stainless steel. Stainless steel is going to be a little bit more expensive, but it may be worth it because you will not have to worry about how it performs. If it gets dirty, you can simply wipe it off and it will look like new again. It also will not rust if you allow the fire pit to get rained on. Stainless steel Fire Pits will give you a much more maintenance free type of fire pit to deal with.

Removable Screen

Another feature that you should look for in your fire pit is a removable screen. Many of the newer models out there have this feature, but some of them still lack it. A removable screen sits on top of the fire so that embers from the fire do not fly up and land on you while you are sitting there. This is also important for preventing fires outside of the pit. You do not want a few burning embers to fly up and land on your house. This is a simple feature to look for, but it is extremely important.

Log Grate

When you are shopping for a wood burning fire pit, you should make sure that it has a log grate. A log grate will keep the logs up off of the bottom of the fire pit, which will allow the fire to get air. The fire needs to have a steady flow of air in order to keep going for the long-term. Otherwise, it may be difficult to keep your fire going.

Hard Cover

When you are done using your fire pit, you should be able to cover it up with a hard cover. This will provide you with a way to keep the rain out of your fire pit. If you do not use a cover, it can fill up with rain. Without a hard cover, your fire pit can get very messy.

Decorative Border

Many of the fire pits out there have decorative borders around the outside. You will find many different materials that these borders can be made out of of, including slate or granite. This feature is not necessary in order to enjoy the fire, but it does add a little bit of elegance to the fire pit. If the style of your home focuses on sophistication and elegance, you may want to think about getting a fire pit with a decorative border. Some of these decorative borders are large enough that you can rest your feet on them or set a drink on them also. This provides a little bit of added functionality to the fire pit.

When purchasing a new fire pit there are hundreds of options available.  How do you know what is the best choice for you?  Read this blog and you will find out.

The first type of fire pit I want to talk about is the copper fire pit.  This wood burning fire pit is very popular for several reasons.  The first of course is the reddish tint of copper sets this type of fire pit apart from others.  Copper fire pits are very light so if you are planning on bringing your fire pit on a trip to a beach then copper might be the type for you.

Copper is also an excellent conductor.  According to New York Times reporter Harold Mcgee "copper conducts heat twice as fast as aluminum and five times faster then cast iron".  This means that heat will distribute very well and provide warmth to you and your guests.  Many chefs love using copper cookware for this particular reason.  Copper fire pits are excellent for cooking over.

You will have to maintain your fire pit if you want to prevent that green tarnish like the Statue of Liberty.  One thing you can do if you have a tarnished copper fire pit is mix three cups of lemon concentrate and one cup of salt.  You then dip a sponge in the mixture and vigorously rub the surface of the fire pit.  This should remove most if not all of the tarnish.

Let’s start with the pros and cons of wood burning fire pits. The big plus is quick, easy, drop in solutions. You can dig a hole in the ground, line with stone or brick, and burn wood. You can also purchase a wide variety of wood burning fire pits ranging from clay, metal chimeneas, or large-scale stone, marble, or granite fire pits. If you are in a rural location with a ready supply of wood to burn, you are in good shape.

Now let’s discuss some of the potential negatives. The first is fire safety. If you are burning wood, you cannot leave the fire unattended, and reasonable attention to prevent embers from floating out of the fire pit and landing on combustible material – a "fire watch”. It is also a good idea to place a hearth pad, or brick as a base for a wood-burning unit. Adequate clearance from combustibles is also required. Smoke gets in your eyes – as the wind shifts someone around the campfire is getting smoked out.

So in considering a wood burning fire pit there are wonderful campfire memories and crackling wood sounds and it is an easy to implement solution. Hearth pads, screens, covers, and personal attention are required to make this an enjoyable experience.

Natural gas fire pits have grown tremendously as components to outdoor living rooms. The major advantage is convenience and a 99% clean burn. No combustible particulates added to the environment, and your neighbors, if close by, never complain. The big advantage is also the downside for purists – not a real fire. Over the last several years’ great strides have been made with realistic ceramic logs, and realistic flame patterns. Nonetheless, it is a simulated wood fire and generally a more planned and expensive solution.

There are some spectacular gas supplied fire pits on the market that are pieces of art that greatly add to the beauty of the view and outdoor patio setting. The woodsman and purists generally select wood burning fire pits. The busy professionals who value convenience gravitate to natural gas fire pits.

Stainless Patio Heater

The Patio Heaters can extend your backyard entertaining season by allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space during the cooler months of the year. Choices include; Standing, Table Top and Suspended Patio Heaters.

The kind of device you'll want really depends on your needs: how large of an area you wish to heat and how much, and what type of power you want to use, the finish material for durability and aesthetic looks and portability, if any.

Table Top Heater

• Power source. You can get patio heaters that are powered by propane, natural gas or electricity. Propane will be the most expensive fuel, but it is portable. The price advantage between natural gas and electricity can vary from year to year and by locale. For a natural gas heater, you'll need a natural gas line installed by someone qualified to do that work. Some electric heaters can plug into an electric outlet, but some need to be directly wired. Again, that job needs to be handled by someone with expertise.

• Heat capacity. Tabletop models meant to heat a small area usually average around 11,000 BTU. The standup heaters that are seven or eight feet tall can heat up to a 20-foot radius and usually have a maximum output of 40,000 BTU. Manufacturers and retailers of electric heaters usually detail capacity in terms of watts. While manufacturers say a patio heater can warm an area by, say, 20 degrees, that would be in optimal conditions and only when you are close to the heater.

• Reflector size. The size of the dome-like reflector atop gas patio heaters is proportional to the area it will heat – the larger the reflector, the farther it will radiate. While retail websites give the size of the reflector, they also give a range of heating distances that tells you what you need to know without having to worry about translating dome size to heating area.

• Safety features. Just about all patio heaters have an automatic burner shutoff if the heater is tilted more than slightly, and most good patio heaters also will automatically shut off the flow of gas if the burner goes out. Some gas heaters also have an oxygen-depletion sensor that will shut off the heater if it detects a lack of oxygen in the immediate area. This is important if you are restricting airflow, such as having walls to block the wind.

• Finish. Stainless steel will be more expensive than powder-coated aluminum but will last longer. They also come in Copper, Bronze and Hammered Steel. Buying a cover or upgraded cover will protect the heater when not in use and also may prevent insects from building a nest in the heater.

• Ignition. Most good patio heaters have a pushbutton electronic igniter, which is safer and easier than lighting gas with a match.

• Warranty. An average residential patio heater will have a one-year warranty, but some models have a two-year warranty and in rare cases even more. Generally on the same model, the length of the warranty will be shorter if you are using the heater in a commercial situation.

Commercial-grade patio heaters obviously are built to withstand more constant use than a residential model and usually cost more. If you are going to be using the heater for many hours each day, you might want to consider a commercial heater.

Check out Fire-Science.com - They provides a wide range of Patio Heaters to choose from.

(2) Gauge Your Fuel
There’s nothing worse than running out of charcoal or gas in the middle of grilling. When using charcoal, light enough to form a bed of glowing coals 3 inches larger on all sides than the surface area of the food you’re planning to cook. (A 22 1/2-inch grill needs one chimney’s worth of coals.) When cooking on a gas grill, make sure the tank is at least one-third full.

(3) Preheat the grill to the right temperature
Remember: Grilling is a high-heat cooking method. In order to achieve the seared crust, charcoal flavor, and handsome grill marks associated with masterpiece grillmanship, you must cook over a high heat. How high? At least 500°F. Although I detail this elsewhere, it is worth repeating: When using charcoal, let it burn until it is covered with a thin coat of gray ash. Hold your hand about 6 inches above the grate. After 3 seconds, the force of the heat should force you to snatch your hand away. When using a gas grill, preheat to high (at least 500°F); this takes 10 to 15 minutes. When indirect grilling, preheat the grill to 350°F.

(4) Keep it clean
There’s nothing less appetizing than grilling on dirty old burnt bits of food stuck to the grate. Besides, the food will stick to a dirty grate. Clean the grate twice: once after you’ve preheated the grill and again when you’ve finished cooking. The first cleaning will remove any bits of food you may have missed after your last grilling session. Use the edge of a metal spatula to scrape off large bits of food, a stiff wire brush to finish scrubbing the grate.

(5) Keep it lubricated
Oil the grate just before placing the food on top, if necessary (some foods don’t require that the grates be oiled). Spray it with oil (away from the flames), use a folded paper towel soaked in oil, or rub it with a piece of fatty bacon, beef fat, or chicken skin.

(6) Turn, Don't stab
The proper way to turn meat on a grill is with tongs or a spatula. Never stab the meat with a carving fork -- unless you want to drain the flavor-rich juices onto the coals.

(7) Know when to baste
Oil-and-vinegar-, citrus-, and yogurt-based bastes and marinades can be brushed on the meat throughout the cooking time. (If you baste with a marinade that you used for raw meat or seafood, do not apply it during the last 3 minutes of cooking.) When using a sugar-based barbecue sauce, apply it toward the end of the cooking time. The sugar in these sauces burns easily and should not be exposed to prolonged heat.

(8) Keep it covered
When cooking larger cuts of meat and poultry, such as a whole chicken, leg of lamb, or prime rib, use the indirect method of grilling or barbecuing. Keep the grill tightly covered and resist the temptation to peek. Every time you lift the lid, you add 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time.

(9) Give it a rest
Beef, steak, chicken -- almost anything you grill-will taste better if you let it stand on the cutting board for a few minutes before serving. This allows the meat juices, which have been driven to the center of a roast or steak by the searing heat, to return to the surface. The result is a juicier, tastier piece of meat.

(10) Never desert your post
Grilling is an easy cooking method, but it demands constant attention. Once you put something on the grill (especially when using the direct method), stay with it until it’s cooked. This is not the time to answer the phone, make the salad dressing, or mix up a batch of your famous mojitos. Above all, have fun. Remember that grilling isn’t brain surgery. And that’s the gospel!

Excerpted from 'The Barbecue Bible'

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