Whether it is winter, autumn, or summer, fire pits are compulsory to keep you and your family warmer, active, and happy. We need a fire pit for its heat efficiency, and beyond the necessity, it is the home appliance you can’t love more. And making one with your creativity and freedom of choice is a more enjoyable thing to do.
DIY a fire pit is simple, cost-effective, and exciting. In this article, we have tried to frame a primary DIY method of building a fire pit at less than 100$. You will also get to know more DIY tips for different types of a fire pit. If you have more questions, this article has a FAQ section too.
But before jumping on to the process, ensure this checklist for a safe and effective experience:
Things Should Be On Your Checklist Before DIY A Fire Pit
Before jumping on to the steps of DIY a fire pit, there are a few things you should ensure first;
- Check out your area fire code if it is permissible to build an open fire pit in the yard. Or call your local fire department for consultation.
- Make sure you choose a distant place from your main household area. At Least 10 feet away.
- The place you will build your DIY project should be open, with no trees or branches.
- Also, take care of inground water, gas, and cable lines. Call for a plumber for a thorough check.
Preparing the Place
When thinking of DIY a fire pit in your backyard, you have to prepare the land first hand. In which area you are going to place your fire pit. For building a structure in the backyard, you need fundamentally plain land. Or the place you can shape at an even level with the lowest effort.
If your backyard has grass, you have to take special care of it. Because you can not build a fire pit directly on grass, so in this section, we will discuss two different ways how you should prepare your land to construct a fire pit on it.
How to Prepare A Land Without Grass
If your backyard land has no grass on it, your work is halfway done already. Check out the following steps for precise indication:
- Remove obstacles, if any, like in-grounded leftover parts of brick, stone, or trunk.
- Level up the surface if it is bumpy.
- Add up soil, sand, or gravel if the place is too low.
- If your land is too complex, you can wet the place for 1 to 2 days. It will soften the soil and will make digging easy for you.
- At last, clean up the space with a broom before the construction.
Can You Build A Fire Pit on Grass?
Yes, with a few modifications, you can build a fire pit on grass. You can do this in two ways, without or with grass. For building a fire pit, it is better to go without grass.
- First, select the place and mark it out if you don’t want to cause any damage to the rest of the green grass in your backyard.
- Clean thoroughly.
- If the grasses are too long, first cut them. Then dig the place as deep as you require.
Bonus Tips for Putting Your Fire Pit on Grass
Besides building a fire pit on grass, putting a commercial fire pit directly on grass is also not recommended. First, it can damage your lawn. Can leave ghost print that causes from putting pressure on grass for an extended period. Also, it is liable for heat stress that permanently damages the grass. Lastly, it has an increased risk of catching fire.
So if you don’t want to ruin your lawn or backyard greenery, and at the same time, want to enjoy the warmth of your fire pit, then following these tips will help you a lot.
- You can put large pavers and patio slabs under the fire pit when it is in use. And remove them after use. You can collect these pavers or slabs from local hardware shops.
- Using a heat shield is also beneficial. Heat shields work as stabilizers. It consumes the heat of the fire pit and prevents it from going underneath. By this, it saves your grass from getting damaged. It is cheap. And you can find it easily in online stores.
- Another perfectly effective solution is using a fire pit mat. It almost works as a heat shield, but it’s better than a heat shield to some extent. A fire pit mat is thinner, lighter, and easier to carry than a heat shield. In case you are interested, you can check out this article on the best fire pit mat.
- Last but not least, you have a fire pit for your wooden deck that is also compatible with placing on grass. Fire pits for wooden decks are specially designed not to circulate heat underneath. And it happens without decreasing the heat output for you. Look out on the list of the top 10 fire pits used on wooden decks, grass, or any combustible surface.
DIY Fire Pit (5 Steps)
You can use any of these materials: brick, concrete blocks, stone blocks, and similar materials. The primary method will be the same. You will get these blocks each less the 1$. Other tools and accessories like spades, hammers are also inexpensive, and we already have these tools at our homes. The whole cost will not exceed more than 100$.
Tools
- Spray paint, preferably white or chalk paint, to mark the fire pit’s outline.
- Spade
- Hammer
- Bricks/concrete blocks/stone blocks
- Pavers
- Sand or gravel
- A brush
Steps
Step 1: Mark out a suitable area in your backyard for the fire pit. Measure the area with the measurement tape. Then mark the definite area with the spray or chalk paint. Marking makes your outline even fixed and prevents any unwanted errors.
Step 2: This is the only and most laborious part of DIY a fire pit. Dig the marked area 4 to 6-inch deep with a shovel. Place the brick, concrete, or stone block around the circle. Add or remove blocks to fill the area without any gaps in between them. Use the hammer for study fit.
Step 3: For making the fire pit floor, place the square pavers to cover the bare surface. Use the triangular one to fit in the corner. Try to fill out the whole space as closely as possible. This floor will give your firewood a smooth and clean ground to burn efficiently and clean.
Step 4: Finish the outer building block circle by building two or three layers more. This layer of building blocks will make your fire more firm and durable. It will also enhance the overall looks and keep you safe and secure.
Step 5: Pour the fire pit floor with sand or gravel. Make an even layer until it is level with the ground. This sand or gravel layer will initiate a functional drainage system for your fire pit during the rainy seasons.
After finishing building the fire pit step by step, you are all set to fire up your DIY fire pit. Load firelogs, kindle the fire, arrange sitters around the fire pit, add some cushions and soft pillows to make the ambiance cozier. You can also enjoy some s’mores or roasted sausages on your DIY fire pit.
More DIY Fire Pit Ideas You Will Love
1. Smokeless Fire Pit
Creating a double combustion system and initiating a sound airflow system through your fire pit can turn into a smokeless one. DIY a smokeless fire pit is another exclusive way of building a fire pit of your own. Building a smokeless fire pit is also easy and cost-effective. If you want to know the complete process of making a smokeless fire pit, you can check our article where we have discussed 3 very easy methods of diy smokeless fire pit.
2. Propane Fire Pit
Propane is an excellent source of fuel and an effective alternative to firewoods. Propane fire pits are best for clean fire. It produces high heat with no smoke, no chars that ensure zero mess burn. You can also DIY a propane fire pit with a burner kit. There is an exclusive option for turning your smoky wood-burning fire pit into a clean and no smoke propane fire pit. To know the process step by step, check out this article.
3. Portable Fire Pit
DIY a portable fire pit is quick and most accessible among all DIY methods. All you need is an empty medium-size clay or cement pot. Clean the pot and arrange wood on it and burn. You can also use coal, simple grates for better performance. A handful of lava rocks or lava gravel and fire glass will make the DIY project look more attractive with impressive heat output.
You may also like: The Best Rocks for Fire Pit
4. Metal Fire Pit
Metal fire pits are comparatively sturdiest of all types of fire pits and suitable for rough use. As metal is a good conductor of heat, the output of metal fire pits can be even and extensive. The tips and tricks are similar to DIY portable fire pits. First, you will need an unused metal pot, or you can weld it at a cheap cost. Then put the fire fuel or connect it with a burner to a propane tank. Finally, your own-made metal fire pit will be ready to get inflamed.
Frequently Asked Question
1. Is it cheaper to build a fire pit?
Yes, building a fire pit can be cheap. But, of course, the expense relies on how you spend it. Although the price gap is not that remarkable, building a project with your effort and mind mapping is always interestingly satisfying.
2. Can I use regular bricks for a fire pit?
Using regular quality full brick for a DIY fire pit is completely fine. You can use regular bricks, concrete blocks, and regular paver for the fire pit building. The cost is short, and they are easily-get-able.
3. Do you need a metal ring for a fire pit?
If you want your fire pit to be more sturdy and permanent, then a metal ring will be a great addition. Other than that, building it only with the brick blocks is enough and pretty sturdy for extended use.
4. What is the average area size for a fire pit?
At least six feet and more is the perfect space for a DIY fire pit. However, this type of self-made fire does not extend more than five feet. But if possible, try to leave enough space all around the fire pit. The bigger the area size will be, the more comfortable the experience will be.
Conclusion
DIY a fire pit is super easy, low cost, and satisfying. It saves us from chilling out during the winter days and summer evenings. We hope this article will help DIY a beautiful fire pit in your backyard and make your time more enjoyable and cozier. You can share your experience with us. If you have any other tips for DIY, a fire pit, also share with us in the comment section below.
