Big Lots Boosts Outdoor Assortment For Summer
Getting ready for the summer, Big Lots has launched its largest-ever lawn and garden assortment, designating more than 900 sq. ft. to more than 1,200 outdoor furniture pieces and accessories in stores, including its Broyhill exclusive line and Real Living private brand line.
The discount store said the expansion is in part due to growth it has seen in the category, particularly with more people entertaining at home.
“We’re pleased to launch our lawn and garden collection that brings the latest trends in outdoor and patio furniture, décor items, and accessories to our customers’ backyards, all while keeping with the value and quality they have come to know and look for when shopping at Big Lots,” said Steve Rogers, vice president, seasonal, Big Lots. “This year’s product collection includes popular color palettes and patterns, novelty items with fun, quirky sayings, outdoor entertaining pieces like soft and hard top gazebos, and unique furniture pieces like a bar set fashioned after wine barrels. Like last year, we’re expecting consumers to spend more time at home, in their backyards and looking for pieces that will elevate their outdoor space. Our latest product collection will meet the needs of those customers and allow them to create their dream outdoor oasis with quality pieces that won’t break the bank.”
Some trends being featured among its own brands include:
Solo Stove Bonfire 20 + Stand
Dimensions: 19.5 in. wide, 14 in. tall | Weight: 25.1 lb | Fuel: Wood
Solo Stove Bonfire + Stand 2.0
Solo Stove Bonfire + Stand 2.0
- Attractive design contains all ashes
Cons
- Burns through wood quickly
Solo Stoves Bonfire 2.0 is an update to the Bonfire we previously tested, now including a removeable ash pan. While its smokeless performance remains unchanged, the ash pan does add about five pounds to the overall weighta 20 percent increase. As with the last Bonfire, the 2.0 includes a carrying case with a drawstring closure at the top, which we loved. The case is essentially a big bag with handles, which definitely makes it easier to transport, as well as preventing ashes from falling out in our car, house, or anywhere we stored it.
Weve come to appreciate Solo Stoves smokeless fire pit technology, which really does work. The fire pit is a double-walled, stainless-steel cylinder with holes ringing the base on the outside and around the top on the inside. As heat from the fire rises, it pulls air through the inside holes, drawing in air from the bottom outside holes, which creates a secondary combustion that cuts down on smoke and speeds up the burn. This robust, smokeless burn does come at a cost though, as the Bonfire 2.0 positively tore through logs. Its fair to note that we went through logs relatively quicker than we would with an open fire. With the constant air supply flowing to the fire, it burned hot and fast, leaving very little ash to clean up afterward.
Can You Put A Fire Pit On Grass
Yes, you can put a fire pit on grass — but you need to take a few precautions. For one, you’ll want to make sure the grassy area you choose is level, so the pit doesn’t tip over. You’ll also want to avoid damaging your grass: The high temperatures coming from a fire pit cause heat stress to your grass, which can discolor or kill it. The best way to protect your grass from damage is to put a barrier between the fire pit and the grass. You can simply put some patio slabs underneath the fire pit, or buy a heat shield or a fire-resistant mat. Whatever solution you go with, you should make sure to move the fire pit around frequently, so as not to damage grass in one location.
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Best Fire Pits For 2022
Solo Stove Ranger: Squat, cylindrical, compact and made from stainless steel, the Solo Stove Ranger appears simple at first glance. Tucked away inside this pit, though, is the same sophisticated airflow system that its larger sibling, the Solo Stove Yukon, has. The system is designed to enable fire in the pit to burn hotter and consume more of its wood fuel.
We can confirm that the Ranger delivers on these promises. It starts fast, with its logs aflame in just 5 minutes, and it burns for hours. The fires we started in the Ranger also burned with incredible ferocity. The flames inside the pit focused into an impressive rolling vortex. Despite the conflagration, the Ranger emitted very little smoke.
The Ranger does have a few drawbacks. Its compact size means it can’t accept standard 15-inch firewood logs. It’s also not the best for large groups or families. More than two people roasting marshmallows at once quickly becomes a crowd.
The Kingso 22-inch fire pit is small and has poor airflow.
Kingso Outdoor Fire Pit : Though it’s a bestseller on Amazon, we don’t recommend purchasing the Kingso Outdoor Fire Pit. Its small size feels cramped. And since airflow throughout the small fire pit unit is poor, we consistently had difficulty both starting fires and keeping them lit inside this pit. It doesn’t come with a protective cover, either.
A good fire pit will ignite in minutes and stay lit for hours.
How To Light Your Fire Pit
No gathering kindling or buying fire starters to get your flames going. Propane gas fire pits run off ignition systems. For a manual ignition, open the gas valve and use a match or lighter to start the fire. A spark ignition uses a push-button that creates a small spark to ignite the gas. Electronic ignition is the most user-friendly and only requires the flip of a switch, turn of a knob or even a remote.
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Which Fire Pits Give Off The Most Heat
While all fire pits generate heat, some tend to create more than others. Ordinary pits, which are also the cheapest, can put out a good amount of heat. Unfortunately they typically create a lot of smoke as well. Smokeless fire pits do reach higher temperatures since they’re designed to foster a high degree of airflow as they burn. However, in my experience, Solo Stove fire pits channel much of their heat upward. Breeo pits, on the other hand, tend to push more heat outward so you often feel their warmth more.
Primus Kamoto Openfire Large
Dimensions: 18.5 in. long, 25.6 in. tall | Weight: 15.4 lb | Fuel: Wood, charcoal
Primus Kamoto OpenFire Large Portable Fire Pit
Primus Kamoto OpenFire Large Portable Fire Pit
- Very slim when packed down
Cons
Leave it to the Swedes to design a fire pit with a modern, minimalist look. With that comes easy setup, too all we had to do was lift the ends up so that they formed the stable X shape, set the free leg side in the grooves, drop in the stainless-steel platform and side wind shields, and get to work lighting the fire. Speaking of the wind shields, they provided good protection from gusts but were thin enough that they didnt impede the spread of the heat. The large ash tray makes for simple cleanup, but the wide base is best set on a flat patch of ground free of debris, lest it wobble, potentially kicking up sparks.
Our biggest hang-up, though, was how sharp the edges of the stainless steel were: As we were prepping the Kamoto, we sliced a finger open on one of the triangular cutouts. So be careful during setup. Flesh wounds aside, this fire pit won us over for the aforementioned ease of use and the ample grill space when you throw on the included grate.
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Wolf And Grizzly Campfire Trio
Dimensions: 11 in. long, 11.25 in. wide, 3.7 in. tall | Weight: 4.4 lb | Fuel: Wood, charcoal
Wolf and Grizzly Campfire Trio Portable Fire Pit
Wolf and Grizzly Campfire Trio Portable Fire Pit
Cons
- Size limits amount of heat it can radiate
It might be a bit limiting, referring to the Campfire Trio as a fire pit. It includes three parts, naturally: a Fire Safe, a Grill, and a Fire Set. Whats more, the Campfire Trio breaks down into two small cases, capable of fitting in a backpackconducive to hikes into remote locations.
Fire Safe really says it all its a safe way to contain a fire when camping. We set up the Fire Safe itself in under two minutes. Its incredibly simple. The grill took only slightly longer. The Fire Set is for getting a blaze going without matches, and it includes two metal bars that, when rubbed together, produce sparks. We were impressed with both the quantity of sparks and how long they lingered. With a little practice and the right materials, it was relatively easy to get a fire started. Though the Fire Safe footprint is only 11 square inches, limiting how big of a fire we could create and therefore how much heat we could get off it. Huddling up close, we could warm our hands, and while sitting back, we could warm our feet.
Big Lots Recalls Nearly 11000 Fire Pit Tables
An incorrectly installed burner kit hose in the table can melt and ignite, posing a fire hazard
The recalled Oakmont LP fire pit table.
Retail chain Big Lots is recalling thousands of fire pit tables with an incorrectly installed burner kit hose that can melt and ignite, posing a fire hazard.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the recall involves about 10,900 of Sunjoy Inds. Oakmont LP fire pit tables sold in the U.S.
Already, Sunjoy has received 17 reports of fire pit tables with incorrectly installed hose having problems, with 12 of those fire pit tables having ignited resulting in four reports of minor property damage and one report of a burn injury to a users hand.
The CPSC has recommended that consumers immediately stop using the recalled units and contact Sunjoy to receive a free replacement burner kit and installation instructions. Consumers looking to contact Sunjoy about the recall can do so at 866-578-0101 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday and online at this link. The recalls reference number is 21-027.
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Things To Consider When Buying Fire Pits
There are many important factors to consider when looking at best fire pits for your yard. In addition to deciding between a gas vs. wood fire pit, be sure to select one that fits within your space and also matches your style.
You dont need a lot of extra room to set up a fire pit and create ambience and fun in your backyard. Sizes vary and the dimensions of fire pits are usually smaller than outdoor dining tables. Think about the area needed for the chairs that you plan to place around your new gathering spot and not just the footprint of the fire pit itself.
Also keep in mind that fire pits can be a long-lasting addition to your backyard, so choose carefully. If you want a less-permanent option, there are plenty of portable models available for smaller spaces or occasional use.
The best fire pit for the backyard can also be a prominent part of your decor. Look for those that complement your outdoor space or furniture. For a fresh start with a cohesive and stylish look, consider fire pit patio sets that include chairs and other accessories.
Dancing flames help set a cozy atmosphere for entertaining, but thats not the only function of the best fire pits. They have a decorative element and might pull double-duty as a table. Some fire pits can be used for minimal grilling and also for outdoor heating.
Best Fire Pits For Your Backyard
Whether youre making smores for the family or relaxing with friends under the stars, the best outdoor fire pit is a great addition to your backyard. Fire pits can be the cozy focal point of your outdoor living space, no matter the season. This guide will teach you about the different types of fire pits and the features to consider when shopping for the best fire pits.
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How We Tested Fire Pits
To test each fire pit, we used the same fuel, Simple Simon Premium Hardwood sourced from a local Lowe’s. For a consistent amount, we selected three split log lengths roughly 15 inches long. We then stacked the logs together so at least some portion of each was touching the others.
To ignite each pit, we used Diamond Strike-a-Fire fire starters that were available at our neighborhood Kroger supermarket. One of these starter matches should be all that’s required to get a fire pit’s fire burning. We then logged how long it took to establish a fully sustained fire.
A good fire pit will fully ignite in five to 10 minutes. A pit with poor airflow and design will take a lot longer, or even flame out after 15 minutes no matter how well you’ve stacked your wood. Additionally, we made note of how much smoke escaped each pit. Ideally, a fire pit will generate a lot of flame and little smoke. A quality fire pit will also burn fuel efficiently, leaving little solid material remaining once its fire burns out naturally.
Can I Cook On My Gas Fire Pit
Cooking on a gas fire pit that isn’t specifically built for cooking is not recommended, the only exception being toasting marshmallows, since they only touch the flame and not the pit itself. However, some fire pits do sell accessories that you can add for safe cooking, and others are designed with cooking in mind.
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Fire Pit Tables Bowls And More Styles
Modern fire pits are sleek and stylish and suit a wide array of design preferences. A fire pit table sits high off the ground and often includes a surface where family and guests can store their drinks or kick their feet up. Fire pit bowls are suspended over the ground by a heavy-duty frame and are usually compact enough to fit on most small patios.
Other Fire Pit Features And Accessories
Look at the features available in different models when searching for the best outdoor fire pit for your yard.
- A 360-degree fire view lets everyone see the flames when theyre in the patio area.
- While some fire pits are permanent additions to an outdoor living space, portability can be an important factor. Most freestanding, cauldron-style fire pits can be easily transported or stored.
- Gas fire pits offer convenience and many feature adjustable flame controls for ambience and heating, as well as automatic shut-off for safety.
- Use colored fire glass in a gas fire pit to add some splash under the flames. The rich color brings another element of charm to your decor.
- Fire screens are necessary to help contain sparks and flames.
- A basic fireplace tool set, along with a broom and shovel, can handle most cleaning and maintenance tasks for most wood-burning fire pits.
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Types Of Fire Pits To Consider
The two main fuel sources for fire pits are propane and wood. Gas-powered pits have their advantages, in that theyre easy to connect to a tank and start upand theyre just as easy to turn off, so theres no need to wait for your fire to burn down or try to put it out when its time for bed. A standard full propane tank may weigh nearly 40 pounds, but you wont have to deal with carrying bundles of firewood. Propane pits also allow you to make a fire during burn bans in certain areas . The other benefit of using a propane fire pit is that they burn cleanly, with no smoke, so you wont smell like a campfire when you go inside. The downside is that these models dont create large, picturesque flames, and generally emit less heat than a wood-burning fire pit of similar size.
22 PM Fire Starter Pks.
22 PM Fire Starter Pks.
Portable fire pits vary quite drastically in design as well. Some look like the traditional permanent kind but are lightweight, while others have folding legs and carrying bags. Options like the UCO Flatpack fold for hikers who need to keep their flames off the ground. In addition, some pits have more practical features for cooking food and grilling, such as included grates. The BioLite even allows for charcoal, if thats your preferred method of grilling. So keep in mind how you plan to use your fire pit when considering the options below.
What Types Of Ignitions Are There For Fire Pits
Fire pit ignition systems range from simple ones using a match to complex ones using electronics and an app. At one end of the spectrum are match-lit fire pits, with which you start the gas and light a match to get it started, and that’s it. The next step up is a spark ignition system, which features a battery-operated sparker, so you just push a button to get the flame going. Moving up another notch is a flame-sensing fire pit, which has a spark ignition but also a flame sensor that can stop gas flow once flames die down for extra safety. At the far end of the spectrum are electronic ignition kits, which also are flame-sensing, and have an automated ignition process that can be controlled with a timer, a switch, a remote, or a phone app. These are the most expensive, and often require you to have electricity at your fire pit.
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