With the arrival of autumn, nothing is hotter right now than fire pits. (Pun intended.) Now, I know what you’re thinking. Come on, Plantowski, fire pits have been around as long as there’s been fire. So what’s the big deal? First of all, just as man has evolved over the years, so too have fire pits. Once serving no other purpose besides helping to keep humans warm, today fire pits have turned into the must-have outdoor centerpiece for many homes.

What’s more relaxing than sitting around a fire and conversing with family and friends? Fire pits make for the perfect outdoor setting as the evenings grow darker and cooler during the autumn months. Of course, like with everything else you plan to do around your yard, make sure you check with the local ordinances first to see if a recreational fire is permitted in your municipality. Once you have the “green light,” so to speak, making a nice fire pit can be accomplished for a minimal investment.

As with anything else in life, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. One of the first things to consider when installing your new fire pit is location. Be extremely careful where you place it. The last thing you want to do is to burn down a neighbor’s tree or, worse yet, their house. Remember, dry conditions can exist any time of the year. Be careful to keep leaves and other combustible materials clear from your fire pit. And it wouldn’t hurt to keep some sand and/or water nearby just in case your fire gets out of hand. Always make sure you extinguish your fire before your leave your fire pit area. Keep a close eye on the children, especially while roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. One last piece of advice: keep an eye on friends who tend to drink more than they can handle, and make sure they do not fall into the fire. (It may sound funny, but this happens more than you would imagine).

If you’d rather keep it simple and not go through the fuss of digging a pit and lining it with stones, you can just go to your friendly neighborhood home improvement store and purchase a pre-made pit. These popular items come in many shapes, styles and levels of quality. And starting at around $75, these fire pits are relatively inexpensive and definitely do the trick. Once it’s dark, the only thing that will matter is the warm glow that will illuminate the area around your fire pit.

Another alternative to the pre-made pits are the large metal bowls that sit close to the ground on small legs. Just be careful not to place this kind of pit on a wooden deck, mulch or anything that could possibly burn because they get extremely hot. Great care should be taken while using them. The copper, steel or aluminum kettle type bowls are pricier than the basic models, but they are definitely beautiful.

Another option is the gas fire pit. Most gas pits use faux logs, rocks or colored glass. The advantage of these types of pits is that they don’t need much clearance from flammable surfaces. Gas pits are perfect for urban areas and even certain suburban areas where open wood fires are restricted. They turn on and off instantly and require virtually no cleanup. Of course, nothing is like the real thing; but sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do!

Whatever route you decide to follow, do yourself a favor and consult the professionals before you begin. For a permanent fire pit, you’ll need to determine if it should be constructed on a concrete slab or on proper footings. You may also want to consider lining the inside of your fire pit with a layer of firebrick, or at least make sure the fire burns far enough away from the stone or brick.

No matter what type of fire pit you choose, you really can’t go wrong. There is no denying the soothing effect that a warm, crackling fire will have in the great outdoors surrounding your home. Few things are as enjoyable as gathering around a fire after a long day of work with friends, family and your favorite bottle of wine.

As I’m putting the final touches on this article, I’m actually looking at my own fire pit. The smell is lovely and the glow is inviting. I’m at peace, and nothing quite wipes away the memories of a tough day of work better than an inviting fire in your own backyard. Until next time, I hope you are enjoying your autumn as much as I am.