Polymeric sand is definitely handy—I've had good luck with it around fire pits and patios. But honestly, safety-wise, I'd pay more attention to your edging suggestion. Metal strips or bricks around the pit not only look good but also help keep embers contained. I've seen gravel pits without proper edging let sparks escape pretty easily...Not fun. A little extra barrier can go a long way toward peace of mind.
Good points here—I just finished my first custom fire pit setup last month, and edging was a lifesaver. Couple quick things I learned:
- Metal edging looks sleek but heats up fast (ouch...found out the hard way).
- Brick or stone edging stays cooler and feels safer overall.
- Definitely worth the extra work for peace of mind.
Great insights—I totally agree about brick or stone edging being the way to go. I've built a few fire pits over the years, and metal edging always looks amazing at first, but like you said, it heats up way too much. Learned that lesson myself when my nephew accidentally brushed against ours...nothing serious, thankfully, but enough to switch me to stone ever since. Definitely worth the extra effort for peace of mind and comfort.
I had a similar issue with metal edging a few summers ago. We were roasting marshmallows, and my dog got a little too curious—nudged the edge with his nose. Thankfully, nothing serious, but it was enough to make me reconsider materials. Switched to stone shortly after, and honestly, I haven't looked back since. Sure, it's more work upfront, but the peace of mind when kids or pets are around makes it totally worth it.
Had a similar experience myself—metal edging heats up way quicker than you'd think. Ended up swapping mine out for natural stone too. Takes a bit more prep, but once it's set, you're golden...and no more singed noses or fingers.
