Come this way if you have an outdoor fire pit table.

[AmandaHuggenkizz]

I recently saw an outdoor set like the attached photo and wanted to get something similar. I had been looking for a normal set and a fire pit but thought this looked smart with the fire pit integrated into the table. We have a big patio area and want to use it more for dining outside etc.

But then I realised that I actually don’t know what the point of the built-in fire pit bit is.

Surely it’s just taking up more table space? Does it not get uncomfortably hot given it’s at almost chest-level when people are sitting down?

If you have one, would you recommend?

Or am I just totally missing the purpose?

We have something along those lines. It’s not uncomfortably hot but it can be smoky and if the wind changes direction you have the faff of moving all the chairs. Realistically you can only ever use 3 sides of it when the coals are lit. You need the space to be able to move the chairs around, so it’s not a good choice if space is limited.

We’ve had bbqs where everyone cooked their own steak. And of course it’s great for s’mores.

It really came into its own last autumn when we were meeting up in the garden. I feel it’s a bit more child safe than a chimera or fire pit.

I suppose you could say that the middle is ia waste of space if that’s a priority. When we don’t use the fire pit and just leave the lid on it’s a good size and you can put dishes in the middle without crowding it.

I’d recommend it.

Sorry - the photo wouldn’t load so I was squinting at a thumbnail.
That one is quite different to ours. Probably won’t have a smoke issue but none of the fun of the bbq.

We got one recently and have used it only a couple times. We think it’s great - it’s definitely not too hot at all, and you can control how big you want the fire.

I’m not sure what the poster above means about only using three sides - people can sit around all sides. There’s no smoke because its gas. We haven’t cooked with it, but I think it’s possible. We may use it to keep food warm after it’s been cooked on the bbq or marshmallows.

In terms of table space, ours has covers so you can cover over the fire pit area and use it normally as a table, so you don’t lose space. I’m not all tables had that when we were looking so check before you buy.

We were thinking more about using it after we’ve eaten and to stay outside longer when it’s colder and darker. So so far it’s been great!