Fire pit - WIBU?

[IlanaWexler]

We're having our back garden landscaped next year and I really want to get a fire pit, but I don't want our neighbours to hate us. How would you feel about a neighbour who installed a fire pit under these conditions?

• At least 15 metres from any houses
• 3 metres from any fences or trees (which is the recommended distance for fire safety)
• Will only use low-smoke fuel (charcoal, briquettes or dry wood, never smoky green wood or rubbish)
• Will only use it on colder evenings when windows are likely closed
• Will check for laundry in neighbours gardens before lighting it

WIBU?

My ndn never check or just don’t care about washing!!! Drives me mad! You sound like a nice thoughtful neighbour- enjoy your toasted marshmallows

No problem at all as long as you don’t burn stinky stuff and create loads of smoke.

You sound very considerate. Your plans sound fine.

Wouldn't bother me but some people really hate smoke.

Totally fine. I live in a terraced house and sometimes have a fire in the yard. I just text my neighbour and she brings her washing in.
Sitting out with a fire is one of the great joys of summer.

I dont see how a fire pit is different to having a bbq. Its a normal thing to have in your garden. As long as you use it considerately then I dont see an issue.

The noise of people out using it is also an issue. Late, drinking etc.

Thanks for the peace of mind everyone

Wouldn't worry me but we regularly smoke food so used to smoke, just be considerate to neighbours

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. I can't say that the laundry thing would be an issue either. I don't bother panicking and taking mine in if any of the neighbours are having a barbecue.

Just check you’re not in a smoke-free zone!

Sounds fine.

I think this is just a thing on MN. In the real world loads of people have firepits and BBQs and as long as they aren't belching out smoke all over the neighbourhood no one is bothered

I’m fine with fires so long as they are not in the middle of beautiful sunny days when everyone wants to be outside, are not Random shit being burned and if people give a heads up so we can close windows.

Your plans sound fine and sounds like you will be considerate. I would expect someone to be annoyed though, because there’s always someone.

I agree this is just a mumsnet thing, like not answering your door or making a chicken last all week, in normal life fire pits and bbqs are fairly standard for many households.

No problem here either, but then we have a fire pit :)

We only light it afternoon to BBQ, or evenings, and I don't think it affects either NDN at all anyway.

Yes, just make sure you let your neighbours know before you light it so they can bring in washing and shut windows.

We always let our neighbours know (although we’re less inclined these days since they installed their sodding noisy hot tub).

You could get a propane one, no smoke & instant heat

@Onesailwait I've considered that, but I'd miss the sound of crackling logs, the smell, & the whole experience of poking it, adding to it, etc. Also you can't bbq on those.

True you cant bbq on them, s'mores are about the limit. We have one because our area is often under a burning ban due to wild fires. You can buy stuff that makes the crackle & smells like wood. But you are right, you can't beat a wood fire.

If you follow some simple rules you can substantially reduce the amount of smoke that is produced by a fire pit. Its mainly about burning the right type of fuel but you can read more on this article. Hope it helps.

How to stop a fire pit smoking?

15 meters is probably ok, our neighbour fires their up at about 11 pm right under our window 😡. I like to sleep with the window open, it’s awful.

Absolutely fine.

It depends where you live. There's enough pressure on children's lungs already.

Ffs a fire pit isn’t going to damage random children’s lungs 🙄