Summer is here and we all know what that means. Getting together with friends and family for cooking, eating, games, and general family fun. Everyone loves it, but what about those of us that don�t want to use a standard grill? Some of us want to use an outdoor fireplace for our cooking, and we need good outdoor fireplace designs.
There�s nothing better than cooking on an open flame and an outdoor fireplace is the epitome of this. Unless you like roasting steaks over a jet engine, but the way you spend your summer is entirely up to you. Outdoor fireplace designs are slightly different from their contemporary counterparts. They can be gas or woodburning and have many different accessories.
Most of these fireplaces are made of stone. Stone outdoor fireplaces are very durable, and weather resistant. This ensures that they stay in one piece, and don�t get pummeled into dust during a storm. The design however doesn�t have to be contemporary. Everything from domes, boxes, arch type designs, and even curved models dot the landscape.
For these Canadian houses have no front door, properly speaking. Every part is for the use of the occupant exclusively, and no part has reference to the traveler or to travel. Every New England house, on the contrary, has a front and principal door opening to the great world, though it may be on the cold side, for it stands on the highway of nations, and the road which runs by it comes from the Old World and goes to the far West; but the Canadian’s door opens into his backyard and farm alone, and the road which runs behind his house leads only from the church of one saint to that of another.
— Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
Some people may think this is weird but it�s a nice change of pace to see a fireplace with smooth edges. The truly devoted outdoor cooker in us will typically have a counter right next to the fireplace so he or she can prepare the food as they see fit. Yes there are women that enjoy cooking meat over an open flame just as much as men. Though the argument of what type is best for cooking is still going on.
With contemporary wood burning fireplaces you can get a more smoked taste, for obvious reasons. With gas you get more efficient cooking, and also another distinct taste. Although the methods are different you can�t argue with the power of the fireplace to draw people together. The best part is it doesn�t have to be for cooking.
Most outdoor fireplace designs marketed are for actual fireplaces to provide warmth and light. As people move to more open home designs they need a fireplace to provide illumination. What I mean by open home designs is essentially a perimeter wall to make sure nobody gets in, and bedrooms to protect from the rain. That�s it, the counters for the kitchen, are protected by awnings, and the bathroom is it�s on room, but for the most part the house is open to nature, with a grass floor.
I read ... an article by a highly educated man wherein he told with what conscientious pains he had brought up all his children to be skeptical of everything, never to believe anything in life or religion or their own feelings without submitting it to many rational doubts, to have a persistent, thoroughly skeptical, doubting attitude toward everything.... I think he might as well have taken them out in the backyard and killed them with an ax.
— Brenda Ueland (1891–1985)
This is something that more people are experimenting with, and they need an outdoor fireplace. Regardless of how or where we live the fireplace isn�t going to go away anytime soon. It provides a gathering point in the house, a tranquil spot to read, or take a nap. Just make sure to keep your chair away from the fire.
In closing outdoor fireplace designs are becoming more and more creative, and appealing. Many people like the idea of cooking outdoors and prefer to do it. It�s not just limited to summer time cooking, and many will build outside patios to cover the fire in order to cook in other weather conditions. Happy cooking, and remember to always use common sense and practice safe operating procedures around your fireplace.