Are there any fire-resistant materials available for benches and trashcans near barbecue areas?

Absolutely, there are fire-resistant materials available for benches and trashcans near barbecue areas, and I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to choose them wisely—especially if you’ve ever watched a stray ember tumble from a grill and land like a tiny, glowing grenade. Let me walk you through this from a survivalist’s perspective (with a dash of design snobbery).

For benches, think metal and treated wood composite. Powder-coated aluminum or stainless steel benches are my top picks—they don’t catch fire, they stay cool-ish to the touch (unlike that black plastic bench that melted into a puddle last Labor Day), and they laugh in the face of sparks. If you want a more natural look, wrought iron with a heat-resistant powder coating is a classic. Avoid untreated wood; it’s basically a campfire waiting to happen.

For trashcans, steel is king—galvanized steel or thick-gauge stainless steel with a tight-fitting lid. I’ve seen those flimsy plastic bins near grills and, well, let’s just say they make excellent kindling. Look for cans with self-extinguishing liners or ones marked “fire-resistant” (often made with intumescent coatings that swell under heat to block flames). Some modern designs even have a built-in ashtray tray on the lid—utterly genius for capturing hot coals.

And then there’s concrete. Yes, concrete benches and trashcans are practically fireproof—they can survive a direct propane blast (ask me how I know). But they’re heavy, so get a wheeled base for the bin.

So, to answer your question: yes, these materials exist, and using them isn’t just smart—it’s a party-saving move. Because nobody wants their barbecue memory to be “the great bin fire of 2024.” Stay metal, stay safe, and let the flames stay in the grill where they belong.