4 Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Fire Pit

Whether you like to entertain at fun summer parties or simply enjoy the outdoors with your closest loved ones, a fire pit makes an excellent addition to your outdoor patio setup. To make sure you can continue to enjoy your fire pit year after year, follow our cleaning and maintenance tips.

#1: Clean out the Ashes

A build-up of soot and ash can degrade metal and affect the appearance of the natural stone slabs over time, so it’s important to remove ashes from your fire pit regularly, no matter what materials it’s made of. Each time you use your fire pit, wait for the ashes to cool and then remove them with a shovel. If your fire pit has a drain, you can use a hose to remove any remaining ash and soot. Otherwise, use a damp towel to wipe it down thoroughly.

#2: Protect it from the elements

When your fire pit is not in use, protect it from the ravages of sunlight, rain and snow by using a vinyl fire pit cover. For further protection from the elements, consider positioning a pergola or gazebo over the fire pit area. If your grill grates are removable, bring them indoors when your fire pit is not being used.

#3: Clean cooking surfaces

Use a grill brush to clean food remnants and charred debris from the grates on your fire pit. It’s also a good idea to season them by applying vegetable oil before each use, especially if they’re made of cast iron.

#4: Consult a professional

If your fire pit features bricks, stone or tile, consider having it inspected and maintained regularly by a professional. Once a year is a good rule of thumb. Professionals can identify structural problems before they become real issues, and keep your fire pit functioning properly and looking great for years to come.

If you’re working on designing your dream fire pit, be sure to take a look at our website to see all of the products we have available! To see our products in person, visit your nearest Arizona Tile location.