Fire is the natural center for an outside gathering. Camp outs, barbecues and backyard parties held winter or summer always seem to be missing that little something extra without wood smoke and flickering firelight. The standard approach for having a cozy blaze out back is to either put a masonry fire pit in the backyard or pick up a metal brazier kit for the patio, but those choices are a bit staid. If you want something with more sophistication or kitsch, there are plenty of choices for getting your fire on.
1. The Blaze Tower
This pyramidal, multi-purpose steel construct is both so stylish and functional that it ought to be the national fire pit of Sweden. The design can be scaled up from the basic Blaze Monolith to serve not just as a backyard fire pit and grill, but also as a wood-burning oven (backyard pizza!) and a smoker.
The Blaze Tower, $500 to $1,300
2. Bruce Handrail Grill
Plenty of apartment dwellers love fires, but don’t have a fireplace inside or a proper green space outside. With the Bruce Handrail Grill, all one needs is a tiny balcony and it’s problem solved. This convenient little item can be hung anywhere a window garden box might go. Use it as a fire pit or for grilling, but make sure your upstairs neighbor isn’t hanging any laundry out the window when you do.
Bruce Handrail Grill, $75
3. Cesarre Kara Ceramique
If you want to adorn your outdoor space with a fireplace and grill that looks like it should be installed in the sculpture garden at MoMa and money is no object, then the Kara Ceramique from Cesarre is for you. You will probably need to import this example of French design and conspicuous consumption from Europe, but at this level of expense that is just a minor detail. Get it and your cook will admire your haute attitude towards barbecue.
Cesarre Kara Ceramique, $5,900