Of all the different types of fire pits in this world, those made of copper hold a special place in my heart.
The radiance, the color, and the warmth simply emanate from copper fire pits. They can single-handedly lift someone’s outdoor space to the next level. So of course, I had to learn more about them.
Are Copper Fire Pits Better?
It’s hard to ascribe “better” to something as subjective as fire pit material. However, I can say that copper is among the best materials you can use for a fire pit.
Not only is it durable, but it has a wide array of advantages that most other materials lack. Let’s dig into a few of them.
Copper firepits are rust-proof and will not oxidize no matter how long they’re exposed to the elements.
Instead, it develops a gorgeous patina that can be cleaned anytime you feel the need.
As a result, copper fire pits are some of the longest-lasting fire pits you can buy. While cheap, metal pits can rapidly dissolve in the rain, their copper cousins will remain strong for years to come. It’s very possible that your copper fire pit will outlast you.
Finally, copper fire pits are absolutely gorgeous. The warm color of the copper mixes fantastically with flickering flames. In turn, this generates a unique aesthetic that you can’t find in other fire pit materials.
Longevity
I may have piqued your interest above when talking about how long-lived copper fire pits are. But how long do copper fire pits really last?
First, let’s consider other uses of copper.
- Copper is used in plumbing as a material for pipes, often lasting 50 – 100 years (source).
- Shingles constructed of copper have been documented to last more than 100 years as well (PDF source).
With that in mind, you can safely say that copper fire pits will last decades. With proper care and maintenance, your grandchildren could still be roasting marshmallows over the pit with their children. Pretty cool, huh?
Disadvantages of Copper Fire Pits
I just used quite a few words to sing the praises of copper fire pits. However, there are disadvantages to buying them. Namely, the up-front cost and the maintenance required to keep the clean, shining look.
Cost
How much do these actually cost? Naturally, it varies but typically ranges between $150 and $300 for wood burning copper fire pits. Let’s take a look at some popular models to get a better idea of the average cost.
| Product | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gilbert & Bennett Hand Hammered 30″ Copper Fire Pit | $250 |
| Absolon Copper 26″ Wood Burning Copper Fire Pit | $185 |
| Fire Sense Palermo 29″ Copper Fire Pit | $239.36 |
Wood burning options actually aren’t that bad. They’re more expensive than similarly sized products, but still within the realm of sanity. However, for luxury gas-burning copper fire pits, the equation changes substantially.
| Product | Cost |
|---|---|
| Starfire Designs 31″ Cono Moreno Copper Fire Bowl | $2,200 |
| Sedona Copper 27″ Fire Bowl | $2,200 |
| 72″ Copper Canyon Rectangular LPT Fire Pit | $5,000 |
Now we can see that copper construction comes at a premium. Gas copper fire pits range in price from $2,000 to $5,000!
Luckily, there’s a way to get all of the charm of copper without paying the exorbitant prices. Copper-finished or copper-plated fire pits are cheaper alternatives that still pack the same aesthetic appeal as their more expensive cousins.
Maintenance Required
As mentioned above, the up-front cost isn’t the only point of concern with copper fire pits. The maintenance required is also higher than your standard steel fire pit. This is especially true if you want to keep the shiny exterior!
So, what maintenance is necessary for copper fire pits?
If you want to avoid the patina that eventually sets in, you’ll have to regularly perform the following:
- Completely dump the lingering ash, wood, charcoal, and creosote into a garbage bag or compost pile.
- For massive build-ups of creosote, use a mallet and putty knife to chip away at it.
- Using detergent and a clean rag, thoroughly scrub the inside of the copper fire pit.
- If soot remains caked on, grab commercial cleaner or lemon and salt. Apply to the impacted areas until the lingering debris is gone.
- Finally, use a chamois towel to polish the fire pit in a circular motion.
As you can see, there’s quite a bit more effort in keeping the copper fire pit clean as a whistle. But when you see flickering flames reflected off the shining surface, you’ll know why you put in the effort!
The Best Wood Burning Copper Fire Pit For Sale
So, you made up your mind and it’s time to pick out a copper fire pit. There are hundreds of options online, making it difficult to pick out “the best”. However, I’ve done the research and can confidently point you in the right direction.
While aesthetics are subjective, reliability and cost are not. I personally find all copper fire pits beautiful, so I’ll be focusing on the best value and most durable products.
With that in mind, I have a fantastic first pick.
Fire Sense Palermo 29″ Copper Fire Pit with Steel Stand
This copper fire pit by Fire Sense has everything you need at a fantastic price. Not only is constructed of 100% copper, but a generous coupling of tools comes along with it.
In fact, the entire package contains the following:
- 1 Firescreen
- 1 Grate
- 4 Legs
- Fire bowl
- 1 Upper ring
- 1 Lower ring
- Fire tool
Overall, this is the best deal and one of the best quality products I’ve researched. The only disadvantage is that it’s on the smaller side – measuring in at a modest 29 inches. If you’re interested, you can buy it now on Amazon.
The Best Hammered Copper Fire Pit
I wanted to cover hammered copper fire pits in a separate section. While many copper fire pits are hammered, they’re not necessarily so.
The hammered construction creates a unique look and actually adds to the mystique of dancing flames. The more angles the light from the fire can hit, the more illuminating the fire pit becomes.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best hammered copper fire pit I found during my research.
Gilbert & Bennet Hand Hammered Copper Fire Pit
Gilbert & Bennett is a great manufacturing company based out of Connecticut that takes the quality of its products seriously.
This hand-hammered copper fire pit no exception.
The hammered construction creates an interesting texture, while the high-quality material ensures that the fire pit will be an outdoor fixture for years to come.
It boasts a deep bowl, perfect for creating large, long-lasting fires.
If you’re looking for a great hand-hammered copper fire pit, you can check it out on Home Depot’s site here.
The Best Copper-Finished Fire Pit
As I mentioned above, you can save some money by avoiding 100% copper and instead opting for a copper-finished fire pit. But what’s the difference?
Well, most copper-finished fire pits are constructed from steel, but plated with copper or copper-looking material. They offer a similar aesthetic at a fraction of the cost.
The downside? This construction approach makes for a less durable, heavy product. However, for many folks, saving the extra cash is worth it!
There are dozens of high-quality copper-finished fire pits on the market. This is the best one I found during my research!
Sunnydaze Large Copper Finish Outdoor 30″ Fire Pit Bowl
I’ll be honest — I love this fire pit from Sunnydaze.
It’s simple to assemble. It’s remarkably durable to only be copper-plated. Not to mention, it boasts a generous 30″ bowl (large enough for most get-togethers).
The fire pit comes with a poker stick, spark screen, and a built-in wood grate, ensuring that you have everything you need to get started. At only 30 pounds, you can move it wherever you’d like when not in use.
Not to mention, it comes with Sunnydaze’s legendary 1-year warranty.
If you’re looking for a modest, mid-range fire pit that offers the look of copper without the higher cost, this may be for you. Check the current price on Amazon here!
Other Common Questions
There are some common quandaries many folks face when doing research for copper fire pits. I’ve done my best to collect the most common questions and find reasonable answers for them.
Do Copper Fire Pits Turn Black?
It’s not just a rumor — copper fire will turn black over time due to weather exposure and the act of burning wood. However, the majority of time this is simply the patina mentioned above.
If you follow my instructions for cleaning, you can get your copper fire pit back into ship-shape in no time!
There’s one other thing to note here. Many folks actually desire the patina that copper achieves over time. The shine of new copper is great, but the character imbued by time can also be beautiful.
Do Copper Fire Pits Rust?
Copper fire pits will not rust! Only metals containing iron develop rust during oxidation. Instead of rust, the copper develops that green patina regularly found on pennies.
However, that green color takes up to 20 years to form!
How Hot Can You Get A Copper Fire Pit?
Copper has a melting point of 1,984 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that your average copper fire pit will need to get much hotter than your average backyard fire temperature before it melts.
In order to melt a copper fire pit, you would have to actively try to get the copper hot enough.