Outdoor Fireplaces & Fire Features in Minneapolis, MN

Outdoor fireplaces and fire features turn a cooking area into somewhere people stay after the meal. In Minneapolis they also do practical work, taking the chill off in April, May, September and October, the months that otherwise bookend the outdoor season. The choice between a wood fire pit, a gas fire table and a full masonry fireplace depends on the size of your yard, how close neighbors are and what the city allows, so we start there.

Wood-burning fire pits and city rules

The City of Minneapolis limits recreational fires to less than 3 feet wide and 2 feet high, at least 25 feet from buildings and flammable material, surrounded by a noncombustible barrier more than six inches tall, between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. and only when winds are under 10 mph. Only natural cut wood may be burned, an adult must supervise, and fires are not allowed during poor air quality alerts. On many city lots, 25 feet from the house and garage leaves very little room, so we measure before designing a wood-burning pit. Suburbs set their own rules, and the state fire code notes that many cities are stricter than its baseline.

Gas fire tables and fire pits

A natural gas or propane fire table gives instant flame with no smoke, sparks or ash, and it shuts off with a valve. That makes it a better neighbor on a tight lot and a natural fit right next to an outdoor kitchen. Gas fire features follow their manufacturer's listed clearances, and the gas line is permitted and inspected work. We run the line, set the burner on a properly built base, and include a reachable shutoff.

Outdoor fireplaces

A masonry or prefab outdoor fireplace makes a focal point and throws heat toward a seating area, and its chimney carries smoke up and away from guests. Wood-burning fireplaces need a chimney tall enough to draw well and clearance from the house and trees; gas fireplaces can be smaller and closer. Every fireplace is heavy, so it sits on a footing designed for its weight and for frost, not on top of an existing paver patio. A prefab firebox kit faced with stone is a common middle ground between cost and appearance.

Freeze-thaw and masonry

Fireplaces and fire pits see heat cycles on top of freeze-thaw cycles. We use firebrick and refractory mortar in the firebox, cap the top so water cannot soak into the masonry core, and choose veneer and caps that tolerate freezing. A spark screen and a fitted cover keep snow and rain out of the firebox over winter.

Placement with the kitchen

Fire and the grill should not compete for the same space. We usually set the fire feature a few steps away from the island so the cook has room and guests have a separate place to gather, and we keep seating out of the main path between the kitchen and the house.