There is no denying that a fire pit is an excellent addition to your backyard. It provides you one with a cozy atmosphere of a fire on autumn or winter nights.
The common way to put out fire pits is to let them shut off naturally, which prevents mess and damage. But many need a quicker solution, and they often wonder, “Should I pour water on my fire pit?”
If you’re wondering about this too, let’s scroll down to get the answer!
Table of Contents
Should I Pour Water on My Fire Pit?
You can use water to put out your fire pit easily, effectively, and quickly. It is a good idea to keep a bucket of water near your fire pit in case of emergencies.
It will be safer to use the spray option as a stream of walter mitty spread sparks from the fire.
If you opt for a hose, you mustn’t stand too close to your fire pit. The cold water that touches the hot wood may cause steam, injuring others. You want to make sure the wood is entirely soaked.
On the downside, using water can degrade the metal fire pit. So when you use water to put out a fire pit, you will change the temperature of the burning hot wood using cold water.
If this temperature change is repeated over and over, the metal might weaken.
How to Extinguish a Fire Pit With Water
Step 1: Stop Putting Fuel on the Fire Pit
Start by stopping putting fuel on your fire pit at least one hour before you want to extinguish the fire.
You should spread out logs so they cannot touch, allowing them to burn faster.
Step 2: Leave Your Fire Pit Fire Burn Down
This step refers to leaving your fire pit to burn down, reducing the level of flames you must extinguish later.
Although you have stopped adding fuel, you can boost the burning process by clearing ash using a stick or shovel.
Never touch anything with bare hands. A small piece of coal and wood may still be extremely hot, even when it is not glowing red.
Let the fire burn down to ash is the best before jumping to the following step.
Step 3. Use Water to Douse the Remaining Fire
You can use a garden hose or bucket of water to put out the remaining fire.
If you use a hose, you need to set the nozzle to a spray or shower setting, as a direct jet of water might make sparks.
While dousing the fire with water, you must stand away from the flames.
The reason is that heat from the flame will switch the water to hot steam that can injure you or others nearby.
When pouring water on the flames, it might emit sizzling or sputtering sounds.
Just continuing to add water till those sounds stop entirely. Ensure every ash is submerged in water, even if it is not glowing or red.
Step 4: Stir the Embers and Ash
Once the fire has been soaked with water, the next thing you must do is stir the embers and ash with a poker or shovel.
You should check it out thoroughly to ensure that all things are soaked.
If you still hear any hot spots or detect any steam, pouring more water to put it out completely is alright.
Step 5: Check Out the Fire Pit and Surroundings
It is essential to check out the fire pit for heat to ensure all things have cooled off entirely.
You should give it a reasonable period before checking if the fire is extinguished. If you rush through this step, it may lead to missed embers.
Once everything has been cooled, it is time to check out the surroundings for any debris that may have escaped your fire pit.
If you spot any embers or sparks, just put them out.
Can You Leave a Fire Pit Burning Overnight?
Regarding putting out a fire in fire pits, many people wonder if they can leave the fire burning overnight and let it shut off themselves.
It is one of the more accessible options but also hazardous and risky. Even one tiny ember can lead to a backyard fire, especially during the dry condition.
But do not be discouraged, as there are various options to ensure that you can benefit from the ambiance and warmth of your fire pit and safely and efficiently put out the fire.
It is okay to use a stick or a shovel to spread out any hot coals or logs to speed up the process of putting out the fire.
Once the large chunks of the coals or logs are spread out and do not touch each other, they cannot hold as much heat, reducing the chances of reigniting the fire.
From here, you can take advantage of several options to end the fire in your fire pit. Keep reading to get these solutions.
What Are Different Ways to Put Out a Fire Pit?
Besides extinguishing your fire pit with water, you can use several other ways to get your job done.
Dirt Or Sand
Piling dirt or sand on top of the embers or fire lets you put it out quickly and easily.
It is a decent method to disable the fire if you use your fire pit at the beach or elsewhere.
The principle behind this method is suffocating your fire by preventing it from getting oxygen.
On the downside, this method can generate a mess of a fire pit and make it harder to clean.
However, it is one of the effective methods to put out your fire pit without water, and there is no risk of damaging it using water.
You can also use sand as an ideal bed for your fire pit. In this case, cleaning your firepit may not be necessary before using it again the next time.
Fire Pit Cover
It is possible to extinguish the fire if you place something like a metal sheet over its top because it will suffocate the fire.
It is one preferred method, but many don’t have the suitable stuff to do this.
Remember that the cover will become very hot after a while, so do not touch and lift it without proper protection.
Use One Fire Extinguisher
In an emergency, you can use a fire extinguisher to end the fire.
In most cases, the fire extinguisher features instructions for use on the body, and it is okay to use the P.A.S.S. method, which we’ll cover!
- Step 1: Break the tamper seal by pulling the pin.
- Step 2: Navigate the hose or nozzle at the base of the fire. Avoid touching the horn of a CO₂ cure since it might be cold enough to damage your skin.
- Step 3: Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
- Step 4: Spray the extinguishing along the base of the fire till the fire is completely extinguished. Check out the area afterward and repeat the step if you see the fire returns.
FAQs
Is It Let My Fire Burn Out on Its Own?
One of the ways many people use to put out their fire pit is to leave them through the night. Although it may work, it is not the safest method.
Even the tiniest ember can lead to a large fire, especially if you use your fire pit in dry conditions.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Water/Sand/Fire Pit Cover to Put Out a Fire Pit?
Water
Pros
- Put the fire out quickly.
- It can put out embers.
- It works well for large fire pits.
Cons
- Create a mess (or ash soup).
- It can destroy and damage some fire pits.
Sand
Pros
- Put out embers.
- Available in many places.
- An easy and quick method.
Cons
- Make a mess.
- Challenging to remove from some fire pits.
Fire Pit Cover
Pros
- A fast method.
- Do not create much smoke.
- It will not damage your fire pit.
Cons
- It will get very hot.
- It can be hard to find a proper cover.
Can I Leave Embers Burning in My Fire Pit?
We recommend ensuring all embers are extinguished before leaving them. You can Place a cover over the top and let it go completely.
Besides, using water or sand to put out the embers completely is alright.
Conclusion
You can pour water into your fire pit to put out the fire. It is the most convenient method, but may not be ideal for metal fire pits.
You can also apply other ways to get the work done, such as using sand or fire pit cover. Also, it is okay to use a fire extinguisher in case of an emergency.