Our original story: As temperatures start to drop, it seems like there’s nothing better than cozying up around a warm fire — a ritual made even more fun when gathering around a stylish fire pit. The folks at Modfire make three different styles of modern fire pits that are available in an array of colors and sizes — plus, each one is hand made by skilled metal workers right here in the USA.
According to company co-founder Brandon Williams, Modfire was started in 2010, and business has been going strong for the last four years.
About the company from the Modfire website:
Each Modfire is crafted in the same Arizona studio where we designed the very first one for our own patio. Modfire was born and raised in the USA, and each Modfire product is hand-crafted with the passion and quality that can only come from being American-made. Typically a single artisan will work with a Modfire through the entire manufacturing process – ensuring that each weld is firm and each curve is smooth.
We founded our steel studio to create custom installations and furniture for high-end residential and commercial projects. Each individual piece had to be perfectly formed as a unique element of the overall design. There was no room for error.
We bring that same sense of detail to our Modfire Collection. These are not mass produced assembly line cutouts. We individually craft each piece by hand, a metal artist is involved in the production of every component. Each one has its own personality. The quality we strive for is not of a manufactured fireplace – stamped out by machines, but of a hand-crafted functional sculpture.
Prices for the fire pits starts at $950, and though that is not inexpensive, remember, these are hand made in the U.S.
The fire pits are made from 14 gauge rolled steel — with the exception of the Solfire, which is made from 1/8th plate steel — and are powder coated to provide a vibrant, protective and long lasting finish. A variety of colors are available — from vibrant reds and oranges to cool aquas and greens — and neutrals like black and copper.
Above: The starburst shaped ‘Astrofire’ is reminiscent of footed midcentury planters, with its boldly colored bowl sitting atop a platform of slanted legs.
Above: The ‘Solfire’ has a playful, modern look.
Modfire’s original design — the ‘Urbanfire’ comes in the widest variety of colors and options. For outdoor use, it can be configured to burn wood, natural gas. There’s also an indoor model, the ‘hausfire,’ that is fueled with ethanol.
While the standard size for the Urbanfire design is four feet tall, Modfire also offers an extra large model in this style, called the ‘bonfire’ — measuring in at an impressive seven feet tall.
Love the design. Love that they are made in the U.S. Am in the market for a fire pit in our back yard since we stopped camping. 🙁 Have to investigate any potential warrantees. If they are warranteed for a period of years, it might be cheaper in the long run than buying a cheap import that rusts out in a year or two.
I agree, these Are Beautiful! Thank you for sharing Pam.
Keeping in mind these are priced for ‘to the trade’ or High End/Commercial clients. As as an Artist, if you don’t want to be ‘starving’ for all the design/production/marketing/licensing this is the way to go.
I also agree with Cindy that an old washing machine drum with holes all around, makes a quite decorative fire pit. And you can’t beat the price…
They had some cheap knock-offs at Target ths summer that were just under $100. They were in black but I heard of people having them powder coated….
The second to last paragraph in the article says it can come in 3 different fuel modifications. So I don’t think that’s an issue.
Also California ‘Spare the Air’ doesn’t completely ban wood burning during the winter You just have to be conscious about What your burning & the amount of smoke it generates. I think they’re good ( AND Very Kewl! )
Here is the actual link to CA ‘spare the air’:
http://www.sparetheair.org/Stay-Informed/Particulate-Matter/Wood-Smoke/Regulation.aspx