As the popularity of fire features for the outdoors continues to grow, new innovations in design and materials hit the market every year. A category that once consisted of a simple round pit with basic gas logs has now evolved into beautiful designer hearth tops, colorful glass media and product in all shapes and sizes imaginable. OW Lee President Terri Lee Rogers offers a few tips on creating a sizzling backyard oasis, with fire as the star attraction.

What are the benefits of adding a fire pit to one’s outdoor setting?

As far back as we can document, fire has been a gathering spot for humans to interact, contemplate or relax. This must be an instinctual attraction to humans, as it is as strong as ever today.  A fire pit is a place to reconnect with your family and friends, forget about the stresses of life, and just plain relax and enjoy yourself.  Gathering around a fire brings a sense of contentment that you can’t put a price tag on.

What are the different options available in OW Lee’s Casual Fireside collection?

OW Lee’s Casual Fireside collection has one of the most comprehensive outdoor portable fire pits available on the market.  We have over 50 different sizes, 12 finishes, 13 hearth top styles, and 25 media options.  You can virtually have a customized fire pit that is perfect for your needs.  Another benefit to OW Lee’s Casual Fireside collection is that all OW Lee furniture has complementary table tops that will match and/or complement the hearth tops.

How much maintenance is required? Do the pits need to be protected from the elements in winter? How can the products be stored?

Very little maintenance is required. Consumers need only to inspect and clean the top and base with mild soap and water, and wipe dry on porcelain and cast aluminum tops. Use Weiman’s stainless steel polish on natural hammered copper tops. We recommend covering your fire pit when not using for a long period of time.  The units can be left outside covered or brought into the garage with the propane tank disconnected.

What are the latest innovations you will be incorporating in terms of materials, construction, ignition systems, etc.?

Our newest material is the introduction of the 45” T-Burner, which incorporates 114 port holes for a clean straight flame. The T-Burner is rated at 65,000 BTU’s which is high for portable fire pits. We also recently redesigned our X-Burner for the 36” round chat and occasional fire pits.  The X-Burner has 40 port holes that create a more central camp-fire effect with a BTU rating of 48,000 liquid propane

What about custom options?

All OW Lee Casual Fireside fire pits are Omni tested and certified to applicable ANSI codes.  Because our burners go through rigorous safety tests, customizing the burners, size and shapes of the units may require re-certification, which can be expensive.  We do not offer fire pits that have not been Omni certified; however, we feel that our options are so extensive, customers are able to find the size, shape and style that suits their needs.

What Casual Fireside products are best for smaller spaces?

Last year we introduced our 30” round fire pit for smaller spaces.  This year, we introduced a 36” round fire pit which included at counter height version for balcony and/or bar settings.

What type of accessories can enhance a Casual Fireside presentation even more?

There are a myriad of accessories that can enhance the use of an outdoor fire pit. Lazy Susan’s metal covers, glass guards and decorative metal guards are just a few of the accessories that are available, depending on your needs.  OW Lee even offers a tool that comes with each pit, to assist in tightening the propane valve to ensure that the valve is tight and there are no propane leaks.