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How big a fire pit should be depends on how many people you want to get around it on a regular basis, and how big your space is. The average fire pit size is between 36 and 44 inches. However, if you regularly host big gatherings and have the appropriate outdoor space, you can go as big as 72 inches.

Both wood stoves and fireplaces are effective at heating, but wood stoves are more efficient, meaning more of the fuel is converted to heat rather than lost. Wood stoves, depending on the capacity, can also heat larger spaces, while fireplaces are better for heating smaller areas, like an individual room.

Avoid using abrasive cleansing powders on natural stone, as these products could damage the porous material. Using bleach is also a poor idea because of the porosity of the stone. Avoid using a scrub brush with metal bristles, as they could scratch the stone. If you know who manufactured your stone or who installed the fireplace, you may want to contact that entity for any advice on cleaning it safely.

The primary disadvantage of a ventless fireplace is that it doesn’t have an exterior venting system. This means that the byproducts from combustion are emitted into your home, which raises some safety concerns. In addition, ventless gas fireplaces produce moisture as they burn—and if there’s no ventilation, you could end up with a mold problem.