When people purchase an item they like to make it last as long as possible.
For the most part, fire pits are extremely durable.
They can take extreme heat and last, but like anything long exposure to water can leave them in a less than desirable condition.
There are several things you can do to minimize the impact water has on a fire pit.
The reason water causes so many issues is that most pits are typically shaped like a bowl.
When left outside they collect water.
Most things that hold water such as a bird bath or pool are typically made of some sort of rock like concrete or a ceramic.
Pits are usually made of metal to withstand high temperatures.
To get around this issue there are two main things you can consider.
The first is to get a cover for your fire pit.
By using a cover you can still keep it outside, but when it rains the water will hit the cover and drift off.
It has no way of collecting and creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The other is to look at the design of the pit itself.
Some items have a small hole at the bottom which ash and water can fall out of.
Typically, there is a small collection pan for the ash.
It makes clean up simpler and prevents water from collecting.
Of course you can always place the item in a garage or other location out of the elements.
If you are like most people who need to balance the amount of time and maintenance that goes into your pit then you should consider a cover or open bottom fire pit.