The Fire Pit Revolution

Have you noticed the wide variety of fire pits and outdoor heating equipment that have suddenly appeared on the market today? From humble Zen fire bowls to complex, space-age patio heating appliances, to entire outdoor living ensembles, the selection is astonishing. And the concept of outdoor heating is such a ridiculously simple and universal one that you wonder what took so long for designer fire pits and appliances to become such a “hot” item today. 

The practical use of a contained fire was realized over 400,000 years ago. Not only did primitive fire pits provide warmth for early man and keep predators away; but a contained fire also extended the length of the day by providing light to see by. And it was while enjoying the warmth and security of an open fire that primitive men and women stumbled upon the next, and probably the greatest discoveries to help the advancement of civilization: leisure time.

Not having to worry if a saber-toothed tiger was going to sneak up and eat your head in the middle of the night led to dramatic innovations in tool-making, cooking, and culture. It allowed people to find each other, day or night, and create larger social structures. It created time for relaxation, and the sharing of food, stories, and music. It was around a nice, roaring fire that people first began to think about their world and each other. Early man was empowered by the newfound ability to protect himself from the elements, and with a better chance of survival, he could think about the future. Suddenly there was time to plan. Time to consider one’s place in the universe. Time to dream.

The world has changed a lot since the time our ancestors huddled in caves, but human beings in general have changed very little. We worry about the same sort of things. We benefit from having time to relax and replenish ourselves. Technological advances in just the past hundred years have given us longer lives and a startling array of conveniences, allowing us more leisure time and more innovative ways to enjoy it than ever before. However, as advances in technology accelerate by the year and continue to change the way we live, our lives become more complex in our effort to keep up with them.

It comes as no surprise then that a modern lifestyle comes at a cost. We may not have to run down a mammoth like our ancestors did to get dinner, but many might agree that the commitment level is about the same. Every day we have more things to do and less time to do them in, and the family vacation is quickly becoming a thing of the past. The cost of gas will soon be more than the cost of whatever you want to do when you arrive at your destination. Airline travel has become anything but convenient. It gives pause to any soul these days wanting to take a proper holiday and get away from it all.

Maybe this explains the rise in popularity of artfully crafted fire pits and other patio heating devices. More and more

people are passing on the ever-increasing tedium and cost of travel and entertainment in favor of investing in their own personal, private sanctuary. Forget expensive home entertainment centers, this year was the worst that the movie industry has ever seen. Today’s trend is about unplugging and returning to a more natural, “tribal” lifestyle. And for those who love the outdoors but squatting in a noisy campground isn’t your cup of tea, an elegantly constructed home fire pit is the next best thing. It’s also safer and more becoming than a burnt patch on the lawn. The timeless charm of an open fire relaxes and stimulates conversation, lengthens the outdoor season, and provides comfort and a point for reflection.