Chicago - January 28, 2008

Come On, Baby, Light My Fire

John Beck’s Fire Pit

On your scale of authenticity, space heaters are right up there with blow-up dolls.

You prefer pleasure of the more genuine variety.

So for something that really lights your fire, check out steel artist John Beck’s fire pit. Sleekly designed with space in mind (it’s eighteen inches high), it comes in a range of finishes, from black patina to raw steel. And the hottest part: It can be used indoors and out.

Take it on your balcony or rooftop deck for a cozy winter campfire or stay inside, crank the smooth jazz, and pretend you’re in the woods. Even better, it’s ecofriendly (it’s fueled by canned alcohol gel and produces no fumes or smoke) and burns up to an hour and a half.

During the summertime, you can burn citronella to keep the skeeters at bay.

Now burn, baby, burn.

Available at Zella Brown, 1444 North Milwaukee Avenue, between Honore Street and Evergreen Avenue (773-276-1746 or zellabrown.com).

  Outdoorsy