Whether you use your outdoor fireplace year-round, over the summer months or in the middle of winter, there are a few things you can do to maintain it, extend its life and keep it burning at its best.

We asked Escea Architectural Advisor Matthew Cuffe for some tips and advice on maintaining your outdoor fire. Here's what he said:

For outdoor wood fireplaces:

  • Make sure you regularly scoop the ash out of the pan to prevent rusting when the fire isn’t in use
  • Just as you would get your indoor wood fire chimney swept, it’s a good idea to get your outdoor wood fire swept regularly too. We usually recommend getting this done once a year
  • Check if your outdoor fire comes with a weather cover, or if you can purchase one. A weather cover will protect the firebox from the elements when it’s not in use and help prevent rusting too
  • Outdoor fireboxes are prone to rust but you can sand and touch-up the firebox and make it look as good as new
  • If your fireplace has cooking grills or plates, make sure you give them a good clean and scrape off any excess food or grease after each use
  • Monitor your wood stack and make sure it’s stored in a dry place, ideally off the ground
  • Make sure you have a hose or fire extinguisher handy, just in case a log happens to roll out.

For outdoor gas fireplaces:

  • As with any household gas appliance, make sure you get your outdoor gas fire serviced every 1-2 years (depending on how often the fire gets used)
  • If the firebox or fascia is showing signs of rust or has marks, you can clean it with a suitable cleaning product (see the manufacturer's recommendations)
  • With some outdoor gas fires, like the Escea EF5000 Outdoor Gas Fireplace, you can actually replace the fuelbed or fascia if it needs it, or you simply want to change the look.

Browse Stoke's range of outdoor fireplace here.