Fire pits are permanent or portable containers designed for backyard bonfires and barbecues which have become popular for entertaining and outdoor living. Fire pit designs incorporate a variety of fuel sources and are available in many different shapes and sizes. Some fire pit designs burn wood or natural gas, and may be equipped to roast marshmallows or accompany you on a camping trip.

One of the most attractive and popular fire pit designs is the chimenea. This squat, circular tub sits above the ground on three stout feet. Traditionally made out of ceramic, this outdoor stove was meant to cook food and provide heat by burning wood logs. Now, the chimenea's recognizable shape, with its rounded body and cylindrical, flaring stovepipe, appeals to many homeowners. The fire is made in the rounded body, and fed through an opening in the front. It is a very simple design, and available from the smallest table-top size to a larger patio version. You can find a chimeneas made of cast iron or other metals, as well as the traditional ceramic.

Another choice in fire pit designs is an in-ground, permanent fire pit. These pits start as holes dug into the ground, and then are lined with small walls of stone that extend above the ground. The bricks or rocks insulate the fire from the soil and block the wind. This simple design allows you to build a basic campfire in the backyard, but also gives you a place to set a grill for a few skewers. This type of fire pit can be a focal point of a patio, with seating built in a circle surrounding the pit.

If you cannot afford the expense of a custom built, in-ground fire pit, there are designs that feature the open fire of a built in fire pit with the portability of a chimenea. Copper bowls, for instance, are glittering containers that sit on metal supports and provide a dish in which to build an open bonfire. These round, square, or rectangular fire generally have integrated spark screens to cover the flames, letting in fresh air while keeping flames and sparks from escaping.

These portable fire pit designs work in the desert, beach, woods, or backyard, so your investment goes a long way. Some enclosed fire pits have the option of a rotisserie bar if you want to roast chicken, an ash pan to easily remove debris, or a flat grill to cook hamburgers. With most, you can use either logs or charcoal, depending on your needs.

Some fire pit designs use natural gas instead of wood. This is the case with permanent, built-in fire pits, and they need to be connected to your home's natural gas lines. Designs that use propane are attached to a semi-portable tank and can be integrated into the structure. Just like indoor gas fireplaces, a gas fire pit creates flames above concrete or ceramic logs. The unit may be shaped like a bowl or box, but it doesn't need spark screens. This is a smart design in neighborhoods where wood fires have been outlawed as a fire hazard, but you still crave the warmth and comfort of sitting around leaping, orange flames on a crisp, autumn evening.