Fire rings are a type of fire-containment structure that you can incorporate into your outdoor setup to enhance your family's fun and comfort in the great outdoors. To find out if a fire ring is right for your backyard, keep reading – we go into detail about what exactly a fire ring is as well as how to use one safely and effectively.

What Is a Fire Ring?

A fire ring is a stone or metal (often steel) structure designed to encircle a campfire that is placed directly on the ground. These bottomless rings contain wood-burning campfires and aim to prevent the fires from spreading and developing into wildfires. They also prevent logs from falling and can catch stray sparks before they can burn people sitting nearby. Some fire rings are designed to be used as inserts that install into permanent stone backyard fire pits, while others can stand alone; check a fire ring's Product Description to find out whether it is freestanding or an insert.

Most fire rings are round, but other fire ring shapes (such as square) exist as well. Some fire rings are solid metal cylinders that prioritize function over form. Other fire ring designs incorporate playful cutouts and spark-catching mesh, both of which may enhance the aesthetics of a small campfire but might not be as effective at preventing fire spread.

Fire rings are excellent for small, temporary fires placed on nonflammable surfaces like gravel, dirt, sand, and stone. When completely cool, fire rings are portable, making them great for campsites or beaches. Because the fires contained within fire rings rest directly on the ground, fire rings are not ideal (or recommended) fire-containment structures for grass-covered yards or wooden decks or patios. Instead, we recommend going with a fire pit for these locations.

Tip!

Learn more about fire pits by checking out our Fire Pit Buying Guide.

How to Use Fire Rings

Fire Ring Placement

Before you set up your fire ring, you must choose a safe location for your fire. This location must be on sturdy, level ground away from flammable materials, including leaves, plants, and home structures. It's best to position your fire 10' – 20' from your home to decrease the likelihood that a stray spark will find its way to your home and potentially cause a fire.

Fire Ring Setup

Once you have the location chosen, place your fire ring and secure it (by tapping, pressing, or using a screwing motion) approximately half an inch into the ground – just enough so that it won't slide around freely. If you're placing your fire ring on a more solid surface, like stone or gravel, securing it in this manner likely won't be possible. With the fire ring in place, it's time to add your logs and kindling. You don't need to do anything particularly special to start a fire in a fire ring; simply set up your fire as you would normally.

Fire Ring Safety

Avoid stacking your logs much higher than the rim of the fire ring. The higher the logs, the greater the likelihood that the fire becomes too large and hot to safely control. Tall fires are also more likely to produce high-flying sparks that can start other fires. The key to using a fire ring safely is to keep your fires small and controlled; you can always add more logs to keep the fire going as you see fit – it's not quite as easy to take logs out.

Don't touch the fire ring until you're sure it's cool. While the fire is going and for a significant period of time after it is put out, the fire ring will be dangerously hot. Be sure that everyone around the fire knows not to touch the ring or attempt to move it until it is completely cool.

Supervise fires carefully. It's essential to supervise children and pets while they sit around a fire ring and consistently monitor the fire (so you can take immediate action if it gets out of control). It's a good idea to have a bucket of water, a hose, and/or fireproof gloves nearby in case you need to quickly put the fire out or handle burning materials.

Keep your fire ring clean of debris. Once the coals and ashes are completely cool (this may take several days), it's a good idea to remove coals and burnt debris using a shovel. Place the debris in a metal canister with a lid and store it there until it can be disposed of at a waste depository. Clearing your fire ring of debris will keep the center of the fire ring cleaner and improve airflow if you decide to start another fire in the same location later on.

Cover your fire ring when it's not in use. If you plan on keeping your fire ring outside in the same location for a while, we recommend covering it in case of rain. Just as fire rings do an effective job of containing fires, they can also contain water pretty well, which can make starting subsequent fires difficult.

Tip!

A fire pit cover can help keep your fire ring dry. Pay attention to the Weights & Dimensions section of each product's description so you can check whether the fire pit cover will fit over your fire ring.