To leave a fire pit burning on a wooden deck?

[BluebellCockleshell123]

Just had a lovely evening toasting marshmallows with the kids on a open fire pit on our brand new wooden deck.

DH wanted to just leave the fire burning while we went into the house to watch telly in a room that does not overlook the garden.

I wanted to put the fire out in case a spark jumped out and set the wood on fire.

Who is BU?

YABU: this was totally not risky and you are being a drama queen

YANBU: totally sensible to put the fire out

YANBU. Put it out, I know someone who had their shed burn down from a stray ember, better safe than sorry.

unattended open fires are really rather dickish. On a wooden deck - seriously dickish. Put it out properly before you leave it. Do these things come with a cover?

YANBU. Have to respect fire.

Yanbu put it out.

But I'm even more cautious and wouldn't have lit it on wooden decking, would have done it on grass if possible.

It’s got a kind of mesh cover. Like this

Lighting a fire pit on a wooded deck is asking for trouble

He's a fool. It never should be left on a wooden deck.

I wouldn’t use one on a timber surface I mpregnated with lots of lovely flammable stuff, as treated wood is. You’ll be surprised just how hot it gets under one of those, even on legs.

I'd probably cover it, but wouldn't have put it on decking!

I'm not sure I'd even have a fire pit on wooden decking anyway!! I definitely wouldn't leave it unattended.

I would have thought the heat underneath will be more of an issue than a stray ember. Why would you use it on decking to begin with?

On a wooden deck? That’s bloody mad!!! It needs to be on a inflammable surface like gravel or paving. Jeez

I bet if you had a fire you wouldn’t be able to claim on your home insurance - they’d say you were negligent!!!

We regularly light our fire pit on a wooden deck but we put it on a large fire blanket and it's never left unattended.

Totally sensible to put the unattended fire out.

Better to put the fire pit on a slab rather than straight onto the decking

Your husband is a fool.

We've got a fire pit. You're not suppose to use it on a deck or even on paving because of the heat. Grass is OK.

Why is it on the decking? You’re asking for trouble!

It shouldn't be on the wooden decking to start off with- I'd look for a better space in the garden where you can put some slabs down for it.

We never put ours on the decking, wood is very flammable.

put it out, properly, and don't light it on a flammable surface next time.

I'm absolutely fed up of men and the stupid risk taking that it feels like the majority of them have been up to during lockdown

You are not allowed a fire pit on a wooden deck. Read up on regulations!

My dh makes and sells fire pits. I wouldn’t think twice about leaving it smouldering on decking. A little spark will not ignite your decking. But it’s a good idea to put a plate (slate or something) underneath to protect your decking when you are actually using it.

You can buy fire pits that are safe to use on wooden decking

I’ve got that pit. I have it on flag stones. It gets really hot under it. Not a chance I’d have it on wood.