To light a firepit

[Lan2020]

Hello all and Happy (early) New Year!

A really silly question but I'm a bit clueless!

I've bought a firepit for the garden (built it all by myself earlier). I was planning on lighting it in the garden in an hour and toasting some marshmallows with my son- just a little activity as we have no plans.
However, I've just realised it may annoy the neighbours. I've not used one before, do they omit a lot of smoke? I won't do it if it'll upset anyone?

Also, how do you light them? I've got kindling, do I just put a few pieces in? Can I directly light it with a lighter? Or light some paper and put it in? Do I just chuck water over it to then put it out?

Thank you!

Unraveled tampons make good firelighters too

As does a piece of uncooked spaghetti.

@Verbena87

We had a big fire in ours at the winter solstice, neighbours didn’t seem to mind (though they’re also parents and sometimes have bonfires).

It is a bit smoky yes.

Tinder/firefighter on the bottom, little teepee or criss-cross of kindling on top (like a more airy jenga stack), couple of dry logs leaning together on top of that.

[Shock]

Do not put firefighters on the bottom, no matter how hot they are. Leave them at the firestation so they can attend emergencies.

^^

I'm going to be that poster and say please think of your neighbours. We live next to someone who lights their fire pit every nice day or evening and as a result we cannot open windows or use our garden. But - we have our window vents open all year round and we have had to leave our house and go out due to the smoke filling our home.

I have two chronic medical conditions that are triggered by smoke and I dread seeing my neighbours at home as I know we will be smoked out. They're lovely but very, very antisocial and unpleasant to live beside.

@EddieVeddersfoxymop

I'm going to be that poster and say please think of your neighbours. We live next to someone who lights their fire pit every nice day or evening and as a result we cannot open windows or use our garden. But - we have our window vents open all year round and we have had to leave our house and go out due to the smoke filling our home.

I have two chronic medical conditions that are triggered by smoke and I dread seeing my neighbours at home as I know we will be smoked out. They're lovely but very, very antisocial and unpleasant to live beside.

Why would you not mention it? Especially if they're lovely. So odd you'd rather just live like this and not explain. They might use it less or move it further from your windows. You could also shut your vents if it's that much of an issue.

@NumberTheory aha! D’you think my use of firefighters explains the smoke?

Autocorrect fail. I am not burning members of the fire service in real life. 😂

Aaah, OP, did you manage to light a bit of a fire and toast your marshmallows?

I hope so! Nothing like sitting by a real fire occasionally.

I’m sure you can let your close neighbours know when you plan to light it, and not become a daily menace

You will get more practiced at lighting it.

A firefighter on the bottom, a few twists of newspaper or pizza leaflets from the recycling, kindling sticks and then start with two small logs and gradually add more as they catch.

Petrol stations sell bags of kiln dried (seasoned) logs, Lidl had fire logs stacked near the door recently.

You do need something long for your toasting fork.

Just let the fire die down and put the mesh on top to prevent sparks. Throwing water on it will weaken the metal with such a fast change of temperature.

Enjoy your fire pit! (Responsibly).

Haha autocorrect really does like a firefighter!