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How to Build Your Own Fire Pitby Progressive Farmer on January 7, 2008

Table of Contents

How to Build Your Own Fire Pit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro:   How to Build Your Own Fire Pit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1:   Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2:   Dig a Hole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3:   Lay the Courses of Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 4:   Stack Additional Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 5:   Steel Ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 6:   Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-Your-Own-Fire-Pit/

Intro:  How to Build Your Own Fire PitThere are few things as relaxing as a warm fire on a cool evening. A fantastic "do it yourself" project, the folks at The Progressive Farmer magazine show you how tobuild a fire pit in just one day. Clear step-by-step instructions and material lists help make this project both fun and easy.

Step 1: PreparationSTONES. We built this fire pit from landscaping blocks. You can use field stone or other materials too. Do not use stones that have been submerged in water; they canexplode with the heat of the fire. Concrete blocks may deteriorate from the heat, but they are cheap to replace.

DRAINAGE. In the bottom center of the pit, we dug a fencepost-sized hole 2 feet deep and filled it with gravel. The hole works like a sump, helping to drain rainwater.

ADHESIVES. We dry-stacked the stone. It's a quicker way to build the fire pit. If you have to replace cracked or broken stones, dry-stacking makes that job easier aswell. If you want to cement the courses, lay cement down only on the outside half of the stones to protect the cement from the heat. Adhesives may melt and give offfumes; we advise against using them.

SAFETY. This fire pit is built in a wooded area. Before we started the fire, we soaked the area around the pit with water. We also had 5-gallon buckets of water and ashovel handy to put out any stray fires.

What You'll Need

98 retaining wall blocks

steel pit ring with tabs

metal grate

sand

gravel

We bought the ring and grate as specialty items from a garden store. We can't find a place to order these pieces from the Internet, so we'd suggest welding your own orhaving one produced at a welding shop.

The retaining wall blocks used in this project were 12 inches wide, 4 inches high and 8 inches deep.

We purchased about one-half ton each of sand and gravel.

Total Cost: about $500

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-Your-Own-Fire-Pit/

Step 2: Dig a HoleWe dug a hole 2 feet wider than the fire pit--about 7 feet across. Make the hole round by hammering a stake into the center of your fire pit area. Loop a 3 1/2-inch lengthof string over the stake and mark the circle. Dig out 12 inches of soil. Shovel in 4 inches of gravel and 4 inches of sand. Tamp that layer flat. Onto that base lay down thebase course of blocks. Make sure this course is level in all directions. Fill the space outside the blocks with gravel. This nearly buries the first course, making the stonebase strong.

Step 3: Lay the Courses of StoneLay additional courses of stone. We used the steel ring that will hold the grill in place to ensure each course is round and of the correct diameter. We purchased the ringfrom a garden supply store. To keep the courses perpendicular to each other and to the ground, hang a piece of string over the edge of the top-most course. When eachcourse touches this string--and the string is touching the base course--all the courses are roughly perpendicular. The middle of our pit was 32 inches in diameter.

Step 4: Stack Additional LayersUse a brush to clean debris from the surface of the previous layer. Overlap the layers of stone, leaving three or four random gaps between stones in every course. Thegaps allow the fire to draw air into itself. We dry-stacked the stone. They may get out of alignment, but realignment is easy. We learned something the hard way: Putgravel into the center of the fire pit after you've stacked a couple of courses. Then spread it evenly when you're finished. We shoveled the gravel into the pit after it wascompleted and found lifting the gravel that high was unnecessary work.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-Your-Own-Fire-Pit/

Step 5: Steel RingBefore you lay the final course of stone, set the steel ring in place. Then add the final layer of stone onto the lip of the ring. As originally built, the fire pit was seven layerstall--each layer took 14 stones--and about 25 inches tall. But we have found that the fires burn even better once we removed one layer of stone.

Step 6: VideoOur detailed video demonstrates the making of this easy "DIY" project from start to finish.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-Your-Own-Fire-Pit/

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How spend yourtime Outdoorswithout feelcold (Photos) bypaliquidat

Build Your OwnBackyard FirePit byThisoldhouse.com

Comments

50 comments Add Comment view all 59 comments

 zuhabber says:  Mar 7, 2011. 2:01 PM  REPLYinterior design nyc

 sorebikr says:  Oct 25, 2010. 9:02 AM  REPLYWHERE can I find a steel ring and grate similar to this one? I can't seem to find it anywhere online.

 Wyle_E says:  Jul 29, 2009. 12:45 AM  REPLYA 3 1/2-inch length of string? Shouldn't that be 3 1/2 _feet?_

 syco123 says:  Sep 9, 2010. 9:40 AM  REPLYSpinal Tap anyone?

 Phoghat says:  Sep 11, 2010. 5:28 AM  REPLYDoes it go to 11? Why? Well 11 is 1 more than 10 isn't it.Seriously it's a nice project and I'm planning on building one when I move which isn't too far away.Can you use charcoal instead of wood? That way it would make an awesome charcoal grill and if I could find a cover, a smoker as well

 syco123 says:  Sep 30, 2010. 11:15 AM  REPLY"We had a stonehenge monument on stage that was in danger of being trampled by a dwarf!".

 SarahMichelle says:  Jul 30, 2009. 6:59 PM  REPLYYes its feet - honest mistake.

 drocko says:  Jan 18, 2008. 6:06 PM  REPLYGreat video! Very nice project.

 dimman93 says:  Sep 17, 2010. 2:58 AM  REPLYПроѕто отличнаѕ ѕтатьѕ, огромное ѕпаѕибо интереѕно

 kberry_78 says:  Aug 15, 2008. 7:31 AM  REPLYGreat way to reuse paving bricks and old metal drums. Ace project

 servion says:  Jun 29, 2009. 11:11 AM  REPLYIt's not reused at all, it costed 500 bucks of brand new material XD Real DIY project would be to make your own rocks. That's what I'm gonna do

 Phoghat says:  Sep 11, 2010. 5:29 AM  REPLYYeah but that would take a few million years

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-Your-Own-Fire-Pit/

 servion says:  Sep 15, 2010. 8:15 PM  REPLYUm I meant with cement or heat proof concrete..

 syco123 says:  Sep 9, 2010. 9:38 AM  REPLYIf you're making them be careful they don't explode. Test them in a safe environment (where they can explode safely) up to operating temp. Porousrocks and home made clay bricks are potentially dangerous. Don't use porous rock and learn how to fire clay bricks safely.

 The Man From Nantucket says:  Jul 28, 2009. 5:59 AM  REPLYPerhaps, but he does give me a great idea on how to reuse metal drums.

 Phoghat says:  Sep 11, 2010. 5:31 AM  REPLYThis is a good idea, but as I've never re purposed a steel drum do they come with a removable steel lid? How do you clean them out?

 servion says:  Jun 16, 2010. 8:45 AM  REPLYtrue.

 syco123 says:  Sep 9, 2010. 9:35 AM  REPLYLeaving gaps in the bricks allows radiant heat to escape sideways. When you're sitting around a fire with a wall like this the heat goes straight up. Nice whenyou want the ambiance of a fire without excess heat but not as comfortable on chilly nights.

 vermeuliscious says:  Jul 12, 2010. 11:01 AM  REPLYThat's a nice fire pit, but $500 is pretty steep! The local hardware store sells a kit (minus gravel) to build something very similar for under $300.

 Slik says:  Mar 8, 2010. 5:50 PM  REPLYWhere can I find the steel ring and the cooking grate??

Thanks

 baggot says:  May 30, 2009. 1:06 PM  REPLYLooks nice...but dont use it very often!!!! I made a pit like this and the landscaping bricks deteriorate over a few weeks from the heat. I ended up taking themess to the dump. Waste of bricks.

 Celt says:  Mar 2, 2010. 6:36 AM  REPLYYou could prevent this heat deterioration by buying Firebrick. Its is made especially for fireplaces and works great.  Then you could put whatever stoneon the outside as decoration. Just be sure to leave about 3 half inch gaps near the bottom row for airflow.  There is also an adhesive for the decorativestone that comes in a caulking tube so mortar does not have to be used.

 Hycro says:  Jan 23, 2009. 12:34 PM  REPLYI used an old piece of large metal pipe, an old big-rig rim, and a random steel screen made from 1/4" bars woven together...oh, and a metal hub cap to stopthe coals from falling through the hub hole in the middle of the rim.

 No_Where_Fast says:  Mar 1, 2010. 10:11 AM  REPLYI've also seen many fire pits made with the drum from an old washing machine too. The drum in a dryer is not as easily removed as it is from a washer. 

 teslafan100 says:  Jan 16, 2010. 5:24 PM  REPLY1 Ton! That's A Lot! 

 kricketone says:  Aug 16, 2009. 1:28 PM  REPLYI was wondering about how to remove the ash too

 kristalurick says:  Aug 9, 2009. 3:50 PM  REPLYFound the rings at http://www.markstaar.com/category/38.html from 26"-56" diameter and 7",9", or 11" high.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-Your-Own-Fire-Pit/

 fin saunders says:  Jul 30, 2009. 3:22 PM  REPLYI worked my way through college working for this fine firm. If you've camped in even one public park, odds are very good that you've used their products.

Fire Rings:http://www.pilotrock.com/campfire_rings/index.htm

I used to (and need to again) give these to newlyweds. They all still have them. http://www.pilotrock.com/park_street_benches/cardinal.htm

I think y'all can figure this one out.

http://www.pilotrock.com/place_order.htm

Cheers,Fin

 nightmareofdarknes says:  Jul 29, 2009. 4:23 PM  REPLYIf you added firebrick to the inside, would it last longer?

 Damonic says:  Jul 29, 2009. 1:28 PM  REPLYLooks good! Here's a tip though. In the future, I would plan for spaces between every other block on the second from the bottom layer. That way you allowair into the pit and the fire can breathe better. Without these vents the flames will consume most of the oxygen in the pit and it essentially chokes itself out.(That's why there are always vents on or near the bottom of grills.) Having the vents on the second layer will mean they'll still allow air through after yourashes start piling up on the bottom.

 pfred2 says:  Jul 28, 2009. 7:04 PM  REPLYFire! But now I have to ask, just how do you clean the ash out of it? This is how I roll.

 camman595 says:  Jul 22, 2009. 4:46 AM  REPLYWhere can I find those bricks? My local Lowes & Home Depot don't have them. They don't have the "weathered" ones.

 camman595 says:  Jul 24, 2009. 4:19 AM  REPLYNever mind. Lowes did have them.

 leeeannn says:  Jul 19, 2009. 8:18 PM  REPLYgreat video, thanks. going to tackle this project loved it. wish me luck..

 kenn123 says:  Oct 19, 2008. 8:31 AM  REPLYthis would also work nicely as a faux well in the front yard

 SKINZ says:  Sep 27, 2008. 4:34 AM  REPLYlooks nice youve done a good job im building a pond with bricks like that lucklly my cousion just moved in to a new house and thers loads of them in hisgarden

 snowguy1079 says:  Jun 18, 2008. 11:07 PM  REPLYStay away from using Genesis stoneworks... they said they could build a firepit for me... and i ended up having to pay system pavers to put it right... Genesis,what a JOKE!

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-Your-Own-Fire-Pit/

 wormplaysguitar says:  May 28, 2008. 11:23 AM  REPLYIll be attempting this one next weekend - wish me luck. I think I'm going to make it a little nice by adding some flagstone on the top for a nice looking rim andleaving out the grill part

 ringmybell460 says:  Apr 12, 2008. 5:28 PM  REPLYmy family made this last summer-ours was a little smaller but we used an old wheel well for our ring-worked great

 theRIAA says:  Jan 7, 2008. 5:24 PM  REPLYneeds some holes at the bottom for air. cool, but not worth $500, it can be done for much less you could make it with recycled bricks, and an old BBQ rackfor free

 wocket says:  Mar 22, 2008. 8:43 PM  REPLYVery true, and it ends up looking really good!

 tango_down says:  Jan 8, 2008. 9:13 AM  REPLYLooks great. I wouldn't mind spending that money for something that looks great and adds value to a home. Nothing lowers your property value morethan a pile of garbage bricks and an old BBQ grill

 kingalexl says:  Mar 1, 2010. 3:44 PM  REPLY it's only "a pile of garbage bricks" if you don't know what you're doing

 CementTruck says:  Jan 8, 2008. 8:12 AM  REPLYDitto on RIAA's comment/s. Still, cool Instructable.

 notker says:  Jan 19, 2008. 2:05 PM  REPLYniccccccccceeeeeeee.... really when I make one of this I will post a pic.

 Yerboogieman says:  Jan 12, 2008. 11:21 PM  REPLYadd a high power metal fan to the side and you have an incinerator

 bigtruck147 says:  Jan 12, 2008. 10:57 PM  REPLYyou could also use 1/2 of a 55 gallon. barrel instead of the fire ring. that way if you cut square out of the bottom and leave a couple of loose stones on thebottom, you can rake the ashes out to the side.

 Mondak says:  Jan 7, 2008. 12:15 PM  REPLYWhy the ring? Is it just so you can cook on it, or is there some other purpose I missed? Thanks for the nice instructible either way.

 DavidRobertson says:  Jan 11, 2008. 2:15 PM  REPLYto hold the grate in

 howboutitbru says:  Jan 8, 2008. 3:39 PM  REPLYmake sure you ring is circular or something

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