Enjoy Fall Evenings With An Easy DIY Patio Setup For S'mores Lovers

Balconies and patios are one of the best places to enjoy fall weather. With the heat of summer gone, you can bundle up with blankets, look at the color-changing foliage, breathe in all of that wonderful autumnal air, and create a cozy fall patio space for entertaining. One of the best ways to enhance any cozy fall evening is with a warm fire and a freshly made s'more. But what about those of us without a fire pit? Luckily there's still a way to make an adorable, portable s'mores station that includes an actual roaring fire — no pit required! 

To make a s'mores station, you'll need a large tray, a smaller heat-proof tray, dishes for s'mores ingredients, kabob skewers, a long-handled lighter, and a portable fireplace. Portable tabletop fireplaces typically come in a large candle-size container and filled with wax and charcoal briquettes; these can be safely used in most outdoor spaces. There are several products that would work for this, such as the City Bonfires portable fire pit. To build your own tabletop s'mores station, put your heatproof tray inside of the larger tray, and put your portable fireplace on the heatproof tray. Next, assemble any dishes and s'mores ingredients on the remaining space of the larger tray. Take care not to store the chocolate too close to the bonfire, as you don't want it melting prematurely! Just pop the tray out onto your outdoor dining table, ignite the briquettes, and you have yourself the perfect s'mores setup for a cozy fall evening. 

Portable fireplaces are great because they allow you to enjoy a nice open flame fire, but this also comes with safety considerations. To start, make sure you are only using your tabletop fire pit outdoors, because even though they look like candles, they produce decent-sized flames. Additionally, make sure not to light them too close to the walls of your home or curtains. It's also key to put the fire pit on a heatproof tray. This could be something like a butchers block cutting board or metal tray. In a pinch, you could place the portable fireplace inside of a cast iron skillet. Don't put the bonfire directly on plastic, because they do get very hot and can melt through — the same is true for tabletop materials. 

When your s'mores supplies are rationed, it's time to put the fire out. These instructions may vary by manufacturer, so always read the safety information for your portable campfire. In the case of City Bonfires, you use the lid to smother the flame. Just like you wouldn't immediately reach for a candle after you've blown it out, allow the portable fire time to cool down before moving it to prevent burns or spilling hot liquid wax. When used safely, these portable fire pits will transform your space into an autumnal paradise.