About John Herwick | Backyard Toasty

Hey, I’m John!

So here’s how I ended up becoming “that fire pit guy” in the neighborhood (and apparently on the internet). In early 2019, fire pits started popping up everywhere. When COVID hit in 2020, they became the way to hang out safely. My first one was a Solo Stove Yukon—back then, it was 30 inches wide (now 27″, with the Canyon as the 30″ option). I was hooked.

Six years later, I’ve tested more than 30 fire pits. Family jokes I have a problem. Neighbors shoot questions my way before buying. Publications like USA Today, Yahoo Finance, and The Palm Beach Post say I know my stuff.

Plus, I spent years in the Marine Corps in engineering and systems testing. So I test everything methodically—even though normal folks just enjoy the fire. Old habits stick!

“Here’s the deal: I actually buy and test the fire pits I recommend. Unlike plenty of fire pit content out there, I’m not just rewriting manufacturer specs or cobbling together ‘reviews’ from Amazon comments. Sure, I’ll give you ideas about fire pit options in my articles for products I know, but I won’t recommend unless I’ve personally tested it. If I haven’t, I’ll tell you what I know—but I won’t pretend I’ve used it.”

The Military Background (Or Why I Overthink Fire Pits)

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I Buy What I Test

Every fire pit I review comes from my wallet. No freebies. If I recommend it, I’ve tested it. Period.

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Marine Corps Officer

Years of engineering and systems testing make me picky about fire pit design.

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Systems Testing Specialist

I over-research even personal purchases. That obsession carries into every review and recommendation.

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Safety First (Always)

With three kids running around, safety isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of everything I recommend.

Got Questions? Want to Share Your Fire Pit Story?

I really do respond to emails! If you’ve got questions, want to share your own experience, or just want to argue Solo Stove vs Breeo, send your note!

Email Me

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