If you’re a firepit owner, you know what a great addition they make to any outdoor environment. Entertaining guests is a proverbial breeze if you’ve got a nice wood-burning session going. People love to have some drinks and share some laughs sitting around the entrancing glow of a good fire. Some people prefer propane to wood, and others like fire rings instead of pits, but no matter what your preference it’s always crucial to have the right fire pit accessories on hand to get the most out of whatever style you’re using to keep the party going late into the night. A pit that isn’t well-maintained is one that won’t last long, or the very least won’t work very well. Fortunately, the products to get the job done are cheap and widely available.

First and foremost, outdoor fire pits need to be protected from the elements when it’s not in use. A good cover goes a long way in stopping rust and preventing moisture from collecting in the base of the bowl. Even with a pit that has a top, water can still get into where you place the logs, giving you serious headaches when you’re trying to start a fire later on. Tarps are cheap and highly effective at keeping your pit in tip-top shape for the next get together. They’re especially good at keeping nicer finishes clear of getting tarnished. Why spend the extra money for a copper or stainless steel finish if it isn’t going to look great? Nothing is more unappealing than drab looking metal.

Fire Pit Pokers and rods are useful for shifting hot logs to keep things burnings. They’re also good for packing in kindling to get a fire heated up at the base. Chrome-plated forks are great for the kids because they can stick marshmallows or hot dogs on the end and cook until their hearts are content. It adds another fun dimension to the fire pit experience and it’ll keep them from whining about being hungry. An ash vacuum is crucial for combating ash build up at the base of the pit. After a few times of use, make sure to thoroughly clean out the log area, because collected ash can become extremely hard to clean after a long enough time of building up. It can also make future fires hard to start and cause a harsh odor to be emitted while burning.