Maintaining a good-looking backyard can be a full time job, especially if you have a deck or entertainment area that has to look sharp. Firepits make a great addition to any patio, but they can be a hassle to keep clean. Arming yourself with the proper accessories goes a long way in avoiding a gritty, ash-caked pit. A good fire will enrapture your barbeque guests and keep the conversations and laughs going for hours. Depending on the kind of pit you have, you may only have to spend a minimal amount of time to protect it from the elements and make sure the next burning will go as smoothly as the last. After all, why have nice things if you don’t take care of them?

In terms of the basics, having a poker or rod handy is always good for maneuvering logs and stuffing kindling into a fire. If you want to have some fun with the kids, you can buy some chrome-plated forks for roasting hot dogs or marshmallows. Make sure you have the right type of wood that’s conducive to cooking. Pinion wood is great for a quick light and a long burn and it’s not too expensive. Getting a lower grade lumber can cost you because it can be cumbersome to light and hard to maintain a good flame. Going to the grocery probably isn’t the best way to procure the kindling for an evening’s fire. Instead, do some online shopping or go to a hardware outlet for a better price and bigger bushel. Having a good supply on hand will minimize trips back to the store.

A secure place to keep the wood is important, especially if you’re worried about neighbors with sticky fingers. Racks with covers and locks are great for storage and an ornate compliment to your other fire pit accessories. Be sure to have a vacuum or brush set for cleaning out the ash leftover from a night’s worth of burning. If you let it collect, it won’t only be harder to clean later on, but can hinder future fires from catching as quickly. A copper or stainless steel rimmed pit will quickly become tarnished from flame and soot, so always have some cleaning supplies on hand to keep the shine on. There’s no point in spending more money on sharp looking patio fire pits if they’re going to end up black and dingy.

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