michelle kaufmann designs

I love fire. I am mesmerized by it. I just can’t seem to help but be attracted to it. Maybe it’s instinctual - a remnant of our species’ evolutionary past in which fire kept us alive. ­Whatever the reason, there’s almost nothing I love more than sitting around a fire pit with friends and family as night descends and the flames become the only thing to illuminate our faces in the dark. As much as I love a roaring fire, however, wood burning does have its downsides. The majority of smoky, wood-burning devices that we use emit particulates at the very eco-unfriendly rate of 20 to 60 grams per hour of operation. This smoke is bad for both the environment and our lungs. It can contribute to problems like smog and even respiratory disease. Luckily, there’s still hope for my beloved fire.

This weekend in Portland, I came across a lovely alternative. Designed and offered by Nick Williams Designs, the Firebox is an outdoor fire pit that runs on gas piped up through glass stones with a beautiful rusted steel perimeter. The benefit of burning gas is that it emits no harmful smoke. Though not yet up on their website, this great new fire pit is available and selling for about $1800. It’s the perfect eco-friendly solution for an outdoor fire.

Another beautiful alternative is the EcoSmart Fire, like the one we used in the mkLotus™ that was on display at West Coast Green. The EcoSmart Fire actually runs on clean burning alcohol, which also emits no smoke. It is a super flexible alternative to traditional in-home fireplaces; it doesn’t require flues or chimneys or gas lines so you are free to move it around like a piece of furniture. It can easily be added to any existing environment in your home. You can also choose from a variety of designs and pick the one that works best in with the style of your interiors.