Real Flame Hamilton Wood Burning Fire Pit in Natural Slate Tile

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Well this fire pit is absolutely gorgeous, but more importantly, it has been so much fun for me and my family. We have been loving spending time outside during the special few weeks of the year that are truly beautiful here in southeast Texas. It's a magical time of year. And when the lightning bugs come out . . . My dad might just tear up with memories of his childhood and the fire pit his grandfather built at the old homestead out towards Austin. The design of the fire pit reminds me of a craftsman style home, my favorite architectural aesthetic, but is also a little bit Hill Country, and the slate around the edges is so pretty. East Texans, I think you'll especially like this! It is a great size for our family of five adults (and three dogs) to comfortably gather around for sitting and chatting in the beautiful evening, enjoying the gloaming in the glow of a crackling fire. My younger brother has taken full charge of the pit, and he's been chopping firewood and become interested in all the best kinds of wood! He's building up a collection! He and my father will spend time shaping the perfect size sticks for burning, stacking them just right, and feeding it kindling with special fire gloves I got them. My brother even has a tiny fan he occasionally uses to keep it going at at the perfect burn. He says because of the decorative slate around the edges, and just safety in general, be extremely wary careful about not letting it burn too hot. It's easy to care for and clean, and won't pool water. It's sturdy and reliable for safety. Maintenance and attention are important, but the accessories help make that easy. He took these pictures immediately after putting it together, he was so excited to show it to me. (Tennis ball for scale.) I had no sooner delivered the box as a surprise for him when less than an hour later he'd assembled it by himself. I live 5 blocks away but he couldn't wait for me to come over to start showing it off. It's his new hobby! He lives with my parents so we decided to keep the fire pit there so Sunday family gatherings are all the more exciting and fun. And my husband, parents, and I love to sit around with my brother in the evenings, relaxing, just gazing into the flames, my dad and brother complimenting each other on how well it's burning. It's very endearing. The fire pit is used by my brother so often it's rarely got the included storage cover on it, but it is easy to throw on and I didn't expect it to come with that. We'll want to keep this heirloom in perfect beautiful shape for years of tradition to come. It also has a grate to place on top for safety, but my brother is so busy constantly working on his latest masterpiece of a perfectly burned fire we don't put it on much either. It does look beautiful with the protective grate on it. Also, the dogs are little dachshunds, very low to the ground, so while we of course keep a close eye on things, we don't worry too much about them and the fire, but they're chill and behave well near it. There's just nothing like sitting around a perfectly constructed fire, talking and laughing with my immediate family. We're really looking forward to the Autumn when it gets chilly outside and we can enjoy it in a whole different way, sipping cider and cocoa and keeping warm, shining smiling faces with rosy cheeks glowing all around me! And mmmm I love that scent. I'm probably going to get this exact model for my in-laws, because I've been wanting to get them a fire pit for years, and it even fits their backyard decor. Families, this is a fun , functional, and beautiful find!