I've been wondering about the whole removable tray idea too, actually. My brother-in-law got a fire pit last summer with one of those pull-out ash trays at the bottom, and he swears by it. Says it's way easier than scooping or flipping the whole thing over (which I admit I've done more times than I'd like to admit, haha). But he also mentioned that sometimes the tray doesn't seal perfectly, and a bit of ash can leak out if you're not careful pulling it out. Not a huge deal, but something to think about if you're picky about keeping your patio spotless (I'm definitely not...).
As for the bowl depth and diameter ratio, I've seen wider, shallower pits at friends' places, and they do seem to handle smoke better. But then again, one friend has a really wide pit, and it feels like sparks pop out more often if the wind picks up. She ended up getting one of those mesh spark screens to put over the top, which works pretty well but kinda takes away from the casual vibe when you have to keep lifting it off to add wood or roast marshmallows.
I'm still in the market for a fire pit myself—mostly trying to balance price with safety and convenience. Does anyone know if those cheaper portable pits (like the ones you see at big box stores) hold up okay over time? I'm tempted because of the price point, but I'm worried they might rust out fast or have safety issues. Would love to hear some firsthand experiences before I pull the trigger...
Yeah, I've seen those cheaper portable pits hold up surprisingly well if you keep them covered from rain. My neighbor's had one for like three years now—bit rusty around the edges, but still works fine and no major safety issues yet. Just don't expect it to look brand new forever...
"My neighbor's had one for like three years now—bit rusty around the edges, but still works fine and no major safety issues yet."
That's reassuring, but I'd still be cautious about rust on something that's regularly exposed to heat. Rust might seem superficial at first, but it can weaken structural integrity over time—especially if it's thin metal. I've seen similar pits develop small holes after a few years, which could let embers escape unexpectedly. Maybe worth inspecting closely every season just to be safe...
Good points about rust and structural integrity. I've noticed that a lot depends on the quality of the metal used. Some fire pits are made from thicker gauge steel or cast iron, which handle rust a bit better and don't deteriorate as quickly. My brother-in-law has one that's pushing five years now, and while it's definitely got some surface rust, it's still structurally solid. He does sand it down lightly every spring and applies a high-heat resistant paint to keep it protected. Seems to help a lot.
Also, placement matters—keeping it covered or sheltered when not in use can slow down rust formation significantly. If you're worried, maybe check the metal thickness and consider a quick annual maintenance routine. It's a bit of extra work, but probably worth it for peace of mind.
Good advice on metal thickness and maintenance routines. Reminds me of a client who had a heavy-duty cast iron pit installed—he figured thicker metal meant zero worries. But after a couple of seasons, he noticed the ground underneath had cracked from heat exposure. Turns out, even if the pit itself is solid, it can still affect the surface below. Has anyone here thought about what they're placing their fire pits on, or had issues with heat damage underneath? Curious how common this is...
