How to Clean Your Fire Pit: The Ultimate Guide

Fire pits have been famous for many years. People use them to gather friends together and have fun. They cook food on the fire, listen to music, and tell stories.

If you have many gatherings at your fire pit, you will find that many ashes and debris will accumulate. If you do not clean it regularly, the ash will gradually damage the inside of your fire pit.

It is recommended to keep your fire pit clean to prevent rusting. Your fire pit must continue to function correctly. You should also regularly maintain your fire pit, just like any other appliance in your home.

A fire pit on a street after a celebration. The wood is still gl

Required Fire Pit Maintenance & Cleaning Tools

You will need some tools to clean your fire pit. These tools can help you quickly maintain and use your fire pit to last for many seasons.

  • Tongs for removing more considerable debris
  • To remove the ashes from the bowl, use an ash scoop and a can.
  • A spark screen is used for safety and to reduce charring.
  • A vinyl or protective fire pit cover should be used when not in use.
Wooden Chairs Around Outdoor Fire Pit

How to Clean a Fire Pit Based on Type

There are different ways to clean a fire pit, depending on the style of the fire pit. Here's a guide to cleaning several types of fire pits.

Brick or Stone Fire Pit

Permanent pit installations can be a beautiful focal point in your yard. They are durable and can handle year-round weather conditions, but they must be cleaned occasionally.

  1. Take out all of the ash and debris from the bowl.
  2. Use a solution of 1 part muriatic acid to 9 parts water to cleanse the interior.
  3. After cleaning, rinse the fire pit with water and allow it to dry for 48-72 hours.

Fire Pit Made of Steel or Metal

However, if you follow these instructions, you can clean them. They are easy to maintain, just like brick or stone fire pits.

  1. Ensure the ash and debris are removed from the bowl.
  2. Spray it down with a hose and softly wipe it down with a soap and water solution.
  3. Allow the bowl to dry by turning it upside down.
  4. Cast Iron Fire Pit
  5. Cast iron fire pits can be harder to clean than steel or masonry ones because they form a natural layer of rust on the top. However, if you follow these instructions, you can clean them.
  6. clean them
  7. Take out the ash and particles from the basin.
  8. Scrub the bowl gently with steel wool.
  9. Using a soft rag, rinse and dry the dish.

Copper Fire Pit

  1. The copper in your fire pit will naturally change color over time. Once it is used, it will accumulate a layer of soot. This soot is easy to remove and won't damage the patina. Remove any ash and debris from the basin of your fire pit.
  2. Using a hose, saturate the fire pit.
  3. Clean with soap and water.
  4. There are chemical cleaners that can remove tarnish, soot, and patina. But you can also prepare a natural cleaning solution of vinegar and salt. To use it, wet a cloth in the cleaning solution and scrub well.

Gas or Propane Fire Pit

Although gas fire pits are low-maintenance and straightforward, they require cleaning. It entails cleaning the burner as well as the gas pipes.

  1. Maintain clean burners so that gas can flow freely through them.
  2. Regularly inspect the gas lines for safety and proper operation.
Fire Pit with Table and Chairs

Additional Fire Pit Maintenance Tips

If you have a fire pit with a cooking ledge, you'll need to spray it down with a non-corrosive grill cleaner to clean it. It will free up residual grease and dried food on the cooking surface. Once thoroughly sprayed, scrub the surface with a scrub pad in a circular motion. Finally, wipe off the remaining grill cleaner with a damp cloth, allowing the surface to dry properly.

If you have some leftover ashes, don't worry. There are plenty of things you can do with them. You can use them to help amend the soil, clean driveway stains, melt ice, or even make soap!

Read more: Why I Love (Safely) Using My Backyard Fire Pit 

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Clean Your Fire Pit

Roasting marshmallow over a gas fire while glamping