Fire on the patio: fire bowl, fire pit or fire column?

Three ways to have a fire outdoors

There are three common solutions for a fire on the terrace or in the garden, and they differ clearly in effect and effort.

• Fire bowl (also called a brazier): an open metal bowl in which wood burns. Mobile, sociable, often used for grilling too.
• Fire pit: built into the garden, usually in masonry or natural stone, often with a ring of seats. A fixed meeting point, but it cannot be moved.
• Fire column: an enclosed stove with a visible flame that mainly warms the seating area. The Feuertube burns wood pellets in a glass tube.

Fire bowl, fire pit and fire column compared

Which one fits depends on how you want to sit outside – around the fire, or at the table with the fire beside you.

Ideas for garden and terrace

A few ideas for giving fire its place – with a bowl, a pit or a column.

• Gravel fire corner: a fire bowl on a gravel area with a few wooden chairs around it – simple, affordable and quick to set up.
• Two zones: the fire bowl for the campfire at the edge of the garden, the fire column on the terrace by the dining table. Each part of the evening gets its own fire.
• Fire as light: a flame in a glass tube replaces some of the garden lighting in the evening and becomes a focal point.
• Extend the season: with blankets, a windbreak and a heat source at the table, you can still sit outside in autumn.
• Plan for mobility: if your seating moves with the sun and wind, a unit on castors pays off.

Fire on a balcony: what applies?

Looking for a fire bowl for the balcony is understandable – but caution is needed. On balconies, open fire is often restricted by house rules, tenancy agreements, owners’ association rules or local regulations. On top of that come neighbours directly above and beside you, smoke drifting into windows and often flammable materials nearby.

So check what is allowed before buying – with the property manager, landlord or municipality. The Feuertube is designed for open outdoor areas such as terraces, gardens and restaurant terraces, and does not belong under a roof or on a covered balcony.

Whatever you choose: keep a safe distance from flammable materials, never leave the fire unattended and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

When a pellet fire column is the better choice

A fire bowl is ideal when the fire is the main event: adding logs, watching the embers, grilling. A pellet fire column suits you better when you are sitting at the table, eating or talking, and the fire should simply be there – without constantly adding wood.

With the Feuertube, a 3 kg fill of pellets lasts around two hours on average. The ventilation grille at the back controls the flame: open, it reaches the hat; closed, it stays at about half height. It must be protected from rain, and strong wind can blow the flame out – a quick relight with the supplied burner is all it takes.