Enjoying a relaxing fire outdoors at night is the perfect way to unwind after a busy day. But if you don't know how to put out a fire pit safely, that seemingly harmless fire can turn into a structure fire that'll burn down your house.

But with some planning and know-how, you can safely enjoy and put out a fire pit. Keep your family safe from backyard fire by learning how to put out a fire pit. 

How to Put Out a Fire Pit Using a Fire Spray

1. Tear the tab off.
2. Aim at the base of the fire.
3. Spray from side to side.
4. Discard after use. 

Using a fire spray is the easiest way to put out a fire pit. Unlike a fire extinguisher, a fire spray is lightweight, non-toxic, and affordable. Here's how to put out a fire pit using a fire spray: 

1. Tear the tab off.

First, tear the tab off and position the can three to four feet away from the fire. 

2. Aim at the base of the fire.

Then, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire instead of the flames. 

3. Spray from side to side. 

Next, press the button to release the contents. Sweep the can back and forth. Keep aiming the nozzle at the base of the fire, and work your way around the area until the flames die. 

Don't stop spraying until you have completely put out the fire. Any remaining embers or hot spots can reignite the fire.

4. Discard after use. 

We don't recommend reusing the fire spray because there might not be enough left in the can to put out another fire. 

Are you looking for a fire spray that's lightweight and easy-to-use? The Hero Fire Spray is the answer to your problems. 

Here's a table summarizing the differences between the Hero Fire Spray and a regular fire extinguisher:

How to Put Out a Fire Pit Using Water

1. Get a hose.
2. Spray water on the flames.
3. Stir the contents. 

Water is a quick and easy way to put out a fire pit. Here's how to put out a fire pit using water: 

1. Get a hose.

You must use a garden hose with a spray option to extinguish the flames.

2. Spray water on the flames.

Don't come too close to the fire pit as you spray water on the flames. Water hitting the wood or another fuel produces steam that might injure you. 

3. Stir the contents.

Get a shovel or stick and stir the contents to make sure that they're drenched and cooled. 

How to Put Out a Fire Pit Using Sand or Dirt

1. Put sand or dirt into the fire pit.
2. Stir the sand or dirt with the ash and ember. 
3. Make sure everything has cooled down before leaving.

No water? No problem. Here's how to put out a fire pit using sand and dirt:

1. Put sand or dirt into the fire pit. 

Scoop dry sand or dirt using a shovel. Then, put it into your fire pit to extinguish the fire. 

2. Stir the sand or dirt with the ash and ember. 

Next, stir the sand or dirt into the ash. Make sure there are no embers left.

3. Make sure everything has cooled down before leaving.

Check that the fire’s fully extinguished before leaving. Remember, embers might reignite the fire.

How to Put Out a Fire Pit Using a Snuffer

1. Get the snuffer.
2. Cover the pit with the snuffer.
3. Check if the fire’s completely extinguished. 

Some fire pits come with a snuffer you can use to put out the fire. Here's how to put out a fire pit using a snuffer: 

1. Get the snuffer.

A snuffer is a metal lid designed to cut off the oxygen supply. If your pit didn't come with a snuffer, buy one. 

Remember, a snuffer works best for bowl-shaped pits or any pit without holes where oxygen can come in. If air can reach the flames after putting on a snuffer, use other methods. 

2. Cover the fire pit with the snuffer.

Place the snuffer on top of your fire pit, like a lid. Doing so will cut off oxygen flow and put out the fire. Leave the snuffer on for 15 to 30 minutes or until the fire is out.

3. Check if the fire's completely extinguished.

Double-check if the snuffer completely extinguished the fire. 

How to Put Out a Fire Pit by Letting the Fire Die

1. Stop adding fuel to the fire at least one hour beforehand.
2. Let the fire burn out.
3. Lightly wet the fire pit. 

You can put out a fire pit by simply letting the fire die. However, you must plan well for this. Here's how to put out a fire pit by letting the fire die: 

1. Stop adding fuel to the fire at least one hour beforehand.

Don't add fuel to the fire at least an hour before letting the fire die down. 

2. Let the fire burn out. 

As expected, this option is pretty simple― let the fire burn out. 

3. Lightly wet the fire pit. 

Once the fire goes out, lightly wet the surface to minimize fire risk and avoid reignition. 

How to Put Out a Fire Pit By Turning It Off

1. Turn off the gas fire pit.
2. Don’t misplace the keys.
3. Make sure everything has cooled down before leaving.

This method only applies to gas fire pits. Here's how to put out a fire pit by simply turning it off: 

1. Turn off the gas fire pit. 

If you have a gas fire pit, simply turn it off to stop the fire from burning. 

2. Don't misplace the keys.

If your pit turns off with a key, don't misplace it or put it too close to the fire. A metal key gets hot over time and might burn you when you pick it up.

3. Make sure everything has cooled down before leaving.

Always check if the contents have cooled off before leaving the pit unattended. 

How to Put Out a Fire Pit Using a Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers should be your last resort because they're toxic and make fire damage cleanup hard. Use a fire extinguisher if the fire becomes too big. 

While various fire extinguishers types have specific instructions on the containers, you can generally use them using the PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) method below: 

1. Pull the pin to break the seal.
2. Aim the hose or nozzle at the base of the fire.
3. Squeeze the handle to release the content.
4. Sweep the fire extinguisher side to side until the fire is gone. 

Fire Pit Safety Tips

Fire pits are a soothing and luxurious touch to any home. However, you must enjoy them with safety in mind. Here are some fire pit safety tips you must follow: 

1. Place your fire pit away from your house.

Put your fire pit 10 to 25 feet away from your house, shed, deck, overhanging branches, and other flammable structures. 

2. Put your fire pit on a stable surface.

Place your fire pit on a stable, open surface. If you put your pit on an unstable surface, the fire pit can start a fire on your property when someone tips it over.

3. Don't go overboard with fuel.

Overloading your fire pit with wood or other fuel can cause it to explode or flare up. 

Plus, don't add flammable liquid onto the pit, including kerosene, lighter fluid, and gasoline. Doing so will cause the fire to get out of control and put lives in jeopardy. 

4. Check the weather first.

Don't light your fire pit when it's windy because the wind can carry away sparks. These sparks can start fires in your house or even cause a wildfire evacuation. 

So, check the weather forecast for strong wind or other warnings before lighting your fire pit. 

5. Use a spark screen.

A spark screen prevents sparks from escaping. It also protects people and pets from sparks and flames. If your pit doesn't come with a screen, consider buying one. 

6. Handle the fire with the proper equipment.

Never handle hot firewood, coals, or other contents with your bare hands. Always use the right equipment, like a log grabber or fire-resistant gloves, if you need to move the pit's contents. 

But not all fire gloves are made equal. This is where Prepared Hero's Fire Protection Gloves come in. 

These gloves withstand extreme heat (up to 1,472°F). You can also safely hold hot coals using them. Plus, these fire gloves keep your skin cool and dry as they protect you from extreme heat. 

7. Have a fire kit on hand.

Have a fire safety kit nearby in case of emergencies. Here are the items you must have in your fire safety kit: 

• Fire spray
• Fire blanket
• Fire blanket hook
• Fire protection gloves
• Smoke mask

8. Evacuate and call for help if the fire gets out of control.

If the fire becomes too huge that you can't quickly put it out, leave your property immediately and warn others. 

Once everyone's safe, call 911. Stay outside and don't enter your property until firefighters say it's safe. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to let a fire pit burn out?

No, it is not safe to let a fire pit burn out. Don't leave a fire pit burning out unattended or overnight. While this seems easy, it's extremely risky because a tiny ember or spark can lead to a backyard fire. 

How long do fire pits burn for?

Gas fire pits burn for three to six hours (20-pound propane tank). On the other hand, wood fire pits, on the other hand, can burn for 30 minutes. They can burn longer if you add more wood. 

Will a fire go out by itself?

Fire will go out by itself if you don't add fuel and keep supplying it with oxygen and heat. The fire will eventually go out as the heat goes down and the fuel's used. However, you must not let a fire go out by itself unattended. 

How long does it take for a fire pit to cool down?

It takes a fire pit 15 minutes to 2 hours to cool down. The exact time depends on many factors, such as the size and type of your fire pit. Additionally, it takes about 24 hours for hot ashes and embers to cool down fully on their own. So, you must put out the fire before leaving the pit unattended. 

Conclusion

Whether you're huddled up or roasting marshmallows, make sure you're enjoying the pit safely. 

Print or bookmark this guide to learn how to put out a fire pit and keep your loved ones and property safe. 

And don't forget to complete your fire pit safety kit with fire prevention tools from Prepared Hero. Happy roasting!