Fire pits are made of metal coated with paint. When the metal isn't exposed, you don't have to worry about rust. But when the paint is chipped off or high temperatures erode it away, rust will start to form.
Every fire pit has to be taken care of properly. If you neglect your fire pit, it will rust and eventually not be any good. This blog post is going to show you the best methods for ensuring that your fire pit will stay in good condition for years to come.
Get a fire pit cover to protect your investment
A fire pit cover will protect your fire pit from rusting. This is important because fire pits can be expensive to buy and maintain. It's always a good idea to protect your investment by getting a cover. Fire pit covers are made of vinyl, polyester, or other water proof fabrics.
A Fire pit cover will protect the fire pit from rain, snow, ice, and dirt while also preventing it from getting rusty.
Cover your fire pit when it's not in use or during periods of high winds and rain to prevent rust from forming on the fire bowl and screen. A tarp will work nicely for this purpose, but make sure that you securely tie down all four corners so no wind can blow under the cover. If you don't want to use a tarp, you could also purchase fire pit covers on the internet or at your local hardware store.
Spray the inside of the fire pit with cooking oil
Cooking oil can protect exposed metal on your fire pit from rusting . If you want to apply a protectant, spray the inside of the fire pit with cooking oil. This creates a barrier on the metal that prevents rust from forming.
This is just a temporary fix to keep any exposed metal from rusting while you store your fire pit. You should seek to make a more permanent fix like painting your fire pit with a high heat paint.
Paint your fire pit with an outdoor, high temperature paint
Painting your fire pit with a high temperature paint will help protect it from rust. Rust can happen from fire pits being exposed to the elements. If you only have small areas that are expose, you could just do some touch up. Once your fire pit starts to have large portions with the paint burned off, you should paint the whole thing.
The fire pit should be painted with a high temperature paint that covers the entire fire pit. The best paints cover everything in one coat without having to do two or more coats.
There is a wide variety of high quality outdoor fire pit paint available on the market. Spend a little time reading reviews before buy one. You don't want to spend a lot of time and money painting your fire pit, only to have the paint burn off quickly.
Use fire pit paint that is specifically made to prevent rust. Fire pits painted with high temperature, outdoor paint will last for many years without damage from rust. The best part about this method is that painting a fire pit is significantly cheaper than replacing a fire pit.
Remove the ashes after every use
The ashes should be removed from the fire pit after every use to prevent rust. If the ashes are left in the fire pit for too long, they can cause corrosion and lead to rust forming on your fire pit's surface.
Pour out all of the ashes into a metal bucket or garbage bin with a lid, then remove them from area where you will be storing your fire pit. After pouring out the ashes, use a fireproof brush and scrub any remaining ash away from your fire pit's surface.
Keep an eye on the fire pit for rust developing in areas where it is exposed to direct contact with the ashes or other materials like sand or dirt. Rust can show up within just two weeks or less if these precautions are not taken.
Wipe it clean
Clean your fire pit after you use it to remove soot and rust. You can use a fire pit brush to do this task, but you may need something more heavy duty if the fire has left behind thick layer of soot.
Sometimes you only need to wipe it down, but it's often necessary to use a fire pit cleaner, too.
Wipe the fire down with clean water and soap if there is soot on it and then scrub away stubborn rust stains. If that doesn't work, you might need a stronger chemical fire pit cleaner to remove the stain.
The fire pit needs to be cleaned regularly, even if it has a cover. Dirt and dust can pile up quickly on the fire bowl's surface so you should take a damp cloth or brush and scrub away all of that dirt before applying any other treatment product. If necessary, use an abrasive soap like Comet or Bon Ami to help remove any stubborn dirt.
Burn the right kind of wood
You should burn seasoned wood in your fire pit to avoid rust. Seasoned firewood has a moisture content of about 20%. You'll know it is seasoned when you can peel the bark off easily.
Fresh wood can have a lot of sap in it, and sap will cause rust to form on fire pits. Burning unseasoned wood in your fire pit may reduce the amount of time you can use it before needing a replacement. In addition, unseasoned wood produces a lot more smoke then seasoned would. This is not good for your health.
Store it indoors
Keeping your fire pit indoors will reduce the amount of rust that builds up on it. You can store your fire pit in a garage or shed, but make sure you store it like any other metal object and keep water away from its surface.
If there is no place to store it indoors at all, then keep it covered with a tarp to protect against the elements.
Storing your fire pit indoors may not be necessary for everyone, but if yours is exposed to rain or snow, then storing it indoors can help prolong its lifespan and reduce rusting.
Don't leave it in the grass or other areas where water accumulates
Leaving your fire pit in the grass when not in use is a bad idea. If your grass is damp, this will cause the metal to rust over time.
The same goes for storing it on a patio- if water accumulates on your patio, then you will have the feet or base start to rust. Its best to store it as far away from the edges of your patio and out of any area where water collects.
Water can cause a lot of damage to a fire pit, but the metal can be protected by storing it away from water. If you live in a humid area, consider storing your fire pit indoors.
How to repair a rusty fire pit
Inevitably all fire pits will rust at some point in time. Leaving the rust on your fire pit can be unsafe.
The best way to repair rusty metal on your fire pit is with a wire brush, sandpaper, and high heat paint.
- Sand away any rust spots you can see or feel before using the wire brush to get in between crevices where water has been able to reach, like under bolts.
- After that use fine grade steel wool to get down to the final layer of rusty metal.
- Spray on a coat of outdoor, high heat paint and let dry for about an hour before spraying a second coat.
This is not a difficult repair job, but you will need some time since it takes about 24 hours to cure..
Once complete, your rusty fire pit should be rust-free and good as new.
Conclusion
To prevent a rusty fire pit, you should paint it with an outdoor, high temperature paint. Store your fire pit in a dry place that is out of direct sunlight and away from water to avoid rusting. Cover the top of the fire pit when not in use to protect it from dirt and moisture. Use seasoned wood so sap doesn't build up in your fire pit and cause damage that could lead to rusting. Always clean your fire pit after every use. Follow these tips and your fire pit will be rust proof.
