The Flexibility of Fire Pits

Not long ago, finding a fire pit in someone’s backyard was a rare occasion. Today, that couldn’t be further from the truth – they’re everywhere!

It shouldn’t come as a surprise though. Fire pits are an incredibly versatile feature, bringing people together and extending our time outdoors.

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Picture this, you’re in the backyard with family and neighbors. It’s a chilly evening but not windy, thankfully. Nestled in hoodies and fleece blankets, everyone is making small talk: the latest weather patterns, how their kids are doing in accelerated math, and why their entire fantasy football team is injured. (Pssst… NOBODY CARES! That’s why it’s called a fantasy team. Not. Real.)

Right about then, you realize there’s no way this small talk can sustain the evening. So, unless you want your reputation as a host to go up in flames, you’d better spark up that fire pit of yours. Why your fire pit, you ask?

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S’mores & Other Foods

First off, every good get-together has food, and fire pits make the perfect outdoor kitchen! Now, there are various toasty treats you can offer your guests, but none quite compare to… dare I say it… THE S’MORE!

Today, melting chocolate with marshmallows and squeezing them between graham crackers is an accepted American tradition. Like any tradition though, it has its unique origin story. Are you familiar with it? No? Well allow me to enlighten you on the genesis of this gooey goodness.

Initially called “Some Mores”, the recipe was first officially published in 1927 in Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. Legend has it, Girl Scout troop leader Loretta Scott Crew coined this sugary snack in an effort to feed sixteen hungry Girl Scouts. It wasn’t until 1971 that it acquired the nickname we know it by today, “S’mores”.

Blitz, Matt. “The History of S’mores: Ancient Greeks, Girl Scouts and One Very Puritanical Minister.” Food & Wine, 20 July 2017, www.foodandwine.com/desserts/give-me-some-more-history-about-smore.

If you’re trying to cut back on the sugar, fire pits are fantastic for savory foods as well. Hot dogs, kebabs, corn on the cob, heck… even a can of beans heats nicely in this innovative inferno.

Campfire Games

Growing up, campfires were notorious settings for silly games. Play a couple of these, and your family and friends will be ROFL-ing in no time. (Just make sure they don’t accidentally roll into the… yeah, you know.)

One peculiar pastime is the “Tap the Stick” game. You may recognize it by some other name, but at its core, the game’s objective has nothing to do with tapping a stick.

Tap the Stick

If you’re in the know, you’ll clear your throat – “ahem” – and THEN tap the stick on the ground or your seat. Clearing the throat is key. Then, you pass the stick to the next person and watch to see if they get it. As more of the group catches on, more people will join you in this highly exclusive club of stick sorcery. Hilarity ensues as frustrated participants (who are clearly not wizards like you) focus intently on how others are tapping the stick. They try to imitate the others again and again, to no avail.

Storytelling

Looking for some low-energy entertainment? Fire pits are an excellent backdrop for storytelling. Get creative here. Their flickering light allows for humorous shadow puppets, some eerie flashlight folklore, or even a sneaky mid-story prank.

Mid-story prank? Yes. You know what I mean. The classic murder-mystery narration where you spook the pumpkin pie out of your audience, right in the middle of your story. Breaking the fourth wall, you have someone jump out and scream during the climax of the horror. It’s awesome (if you’re the narrator) and makes for some great Kodak moments.

If scary stories aren’t your thing, bonfires are great for spending time reminiscing with your friends and family. Telling tales of times that seem simpler in hindsight, laughing at stories you’ve heard every year since you were twelve – it really can be whatever your group needs.

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Contemplation

And so, as the night winds down and everyone crashes from their sugar high, a lull comes over the gang. Your trusty fire pit is still going strong, glowing, crackling, and sending smoky embers into the night. This handy hunk of metal has helped facilitate a wide variety of activities, the last being a still space for a few moments of contemplation. Take some time to relax and just be.

It’s been an enjoyable evening. As the host, you’ve kept stomachs full and entertainment lively. Well done! Wielding your weapon of choice (your fire pit, of course), you now know how to combat the autumn cold with ease.

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How marvelously useful fire pits are! We’ve seen them rapidly changing from a backyard luxury to a backyard staple. After all, who doesn’t want to enjoy the outdoors for three seasons out of the year (and in some regions, four!)? That being said, what other home features have you noticed contributing to this trend of “bringing the outdoors in”?

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