Starting a plancha brazier is often poorly mastered. Many think that everything relies on the embers… but in reality, it is about knowing how to manage a live wood fire.
This guide will help you succeed at each step, mastering the air, the combustion, and creating a true warm atmosphere in your garden or on your terrace.
To successfully light a brazier, it is essential to choose the right firewood, use kindling and suitable fire starters, and then master the combustion of the wood fire.
If you wish to revisit the details of your brazier installation, find the details here.
Step 1: choose the right firewood
The choice of fuel is a key point for the success of your fire.
Prefer hard and dry firewood:
oak
beech
hornbeam
These types ensure excellent efficiency, a beautiful atmosphere, and a stable fire with a pleasant crackle.
To absolutely avoid:
softwood → smoke, projections, and poor combustion
treated wood → releases toxic chemical substances
Expert tip: the shock test
Dry wood produces a clear sound when two logs are struck.
Charcoal can be used occasionally to prolong the heat, but it never replaces a good wood fire at the start.
Step 2: prepare the hearth of your plancha brazier with kindling and firelighters
Good preparation of the hearth is essential for a successful start.
The teepee technique
Simple and effective method:
Always leave enough space for air circulation.
Place newspaper at the bottom of the hearth
Add dry kindling to promote a quick ignition with the firelighters
Integrate firelighters in the centre
Light with a match
Gradually add the firewood
The top-down technique
Expert's preferred method for a clean fire:
firewood at the bottom
kindling on top
firelighters on the top
Advantages:
less smoke
better combustion
gradual temperature rise
better management of the fire
Step 3: safely light the brazier fire
For effective ignition:
only use natural firelighters combined with kindling to ensure a quick start
ban flammable liquids and chemicals
Once lit:
let the fire develop without interference
wait 5 to 10 minutes
Always keep on hand:
a bucket of water or sand
suitable gloves
A good air draw is essential: without oxygen, nothing works.
Step 4: raise the temperature: gentle start
The first use of the TRIO is a crucial step. The temperature increase must be gradual, particularly to avoid damaging certain steel parts and the welds. When manufacturing your fire pit, the plancha is pressed towards the centre of the hearth to allow the fats to flow directly to the fire and not onto the ground.
It is important that you respect a gradual temperature increase for at least 60 minutes at a minimum before starting to reach a cooking temperature. Otherwise, it could be damaged and warp.
The temperature increase is essential, especially for a plancha fire pit.
During the first use:
start gently
gradually increase the power
Minimum duration: 60 minutes
Why?
to avoid any warping of the plate
to preserve the steel and the welds
to ensure good heat distribution
On a plancha fire pit, the plate is designed to direct the fats towards the centre of the fire. A too rapid increase can alter this structure.
Step 5: control the fire for cooking
Contrary to popular belief: at the fire pit, we do not cook on dead ashes... we cook over the flame.
The goal is to control an active fire:
controlled flames
different heat zones
fire burning continuously
Simple test :
3 seconds → high heat (input)
5 to 6 seconds → medium heat
Firewood fuels the flame, the embers radiate heat.
You can add charcoal to stabilise the cooking, but the flame remains at the heart of the system.
Safety rules for lighting a fire pit
To enjoy your outdoor evening with peace of mind :
set up your fire pit on a stable surface (slab, gravel, patio)
maintain a safe distance from any flammable objects
watch the wind
never leave the fire unattended
keep children and pets away
Un braséro est à la fois un outil de cuisson et un élément de décoration qui apporte une ambiance unique.
Should you season the plancha?
Seasoning the plancha of your fire pit creates a protective non-stick layer and limits the appearance of rust. This seasoning can occur naturally over time with the use of your fire pit through deposits of cooking fat. The more you use your plancha, the more it seasons with the thin layer of fat.
Fire pits
Discover the range of corten steel and lacquered steel fire pits!
You can also choose to speed up the process by seasoning it as soon as you receive your fire pit.
Questions clés.
L’acier corten, également appelé acier auto-patinable, est un type d’acier allié qui développe une couche de rouille protectrice en surface lorsqu’il est exposé aux intempéries. Cette rouille, contrairement à celle des aciers traditionnels, forme une couche stable et dense qui protège l’acier de la corrosion plus profonde, tout en lui donnant un aspect esthétique unique, souvent apprécié pour son aspect « vieilli » ou « industriel ».
Corten steel combines both strength qualities and a particular visual aspect, with shades ranging from reddish-brown to orange. It is particularly popular in areas exposed to the elements and varied weather conditions.
The Guide to choose your plancha barbecue fire pit. Designers of plancha fire pits since 2020, our fire pits bring joy to both individuals and professionals.
The choice of the size of the plancha of the fire pit depends on the use you wish to make of it and the available space. Here are some criteria to help you choose:
1. Fire pit diameter 98 cm (larger) :
• Larger surface: a 98 cm fire pit will offer a larger heating surface, ideal for group gatherings or to heat a larger outdoor space.
• More capacity: It can hold more wood or charcoal, allowing for a longer burning duration.
• Necessary space: It requires a larger outdoor space to be used comfortably.
2. Fire pit diameter 82 cm (smaller):
• More compact: An 82 cm fire pit is more suitable for a small garden, terrace, or balcony. It is easier to move and will take up less space.
• More moderate heating: It will be sufficient for small gatherings or more intimate moments around the fire.
• Less consumption: It will burn less fuel, which can be an advantage if you want a more occasional use.
In summary:
• If you have a large outdoor space and want more intense heating for a group, opt for the 98 cm model.
• If your space is smaller or if you prefer something more manageable and suitable for small gatherings, the 82 cm fire pit would be more appropriate.
A fire pit plate / plancha should not be less than 10mm thick. Below this thickness, your fire pit may warp over time.
Our fire pits are designed with double wall thickness and a wide, easily accessible wood storage space. Logs can be stored easily and accessed at any time to light the fire or revive it during cooking. .
Choosing a fire pit with a preparation table? .
Découvrez des inspirations de recettes à réaliser au brasero plancha : toutes les recettes disponiblesci.
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Use dry firewood, kindling, newspaper, and natural fire starters. Build an airy structure to promote air circulation, then light it with a match. Let the fire catch without intervening for a few minutes. Good air management ensures a quick and effective start.
You need to manage the heat zones and regularly feed the fire with firewood. Charcoal can complement to stabilize certain cooking processes. Regularly clean the ashes and adjust the grill according to your needs. With a bit of practice, managing the fire becomes intuitive.
The first heating should be gradual to avoid thermal shocks. Start with a gentle fire and increase the temperature over about an hour. This step helps to stabilize materials like steel or cast iron. It is essential to ensure the durability of your equipment.
Prefer natural firelighters made from wood and wax. They ensure a quick ignition without releasing chemical substances. Avoid liquid products that can be dangerous. The right choice of firelighter plays a key role in the effectiveness of the start-up.