how to build a backyard fire pit
You might be surprised at just how easy it can be to build your very own incredible, low-cost diy fire pit in your backyard. And, just how multi-functional it can be for events with family and friends!
One of the very first tasks we tackled when we started to build our original farm some 11 years back was the building of a fire pit. To this day, it still remains one of our all-time favorite projects. In fact, I don’t think we ever imagined when building it just how much enjoyment it would bring.
It was the perfect place to gather around for great conversation. Whether it was family, friends and neighbors, or just the two of us enjoying the warming glow of a fire with the open sky overhead.
How To Build An Amazing Diy Fire Pit
Even better, our original fire pit served as so much more than just a special gathering place. With the simple addition of an inexpensive in-ground homemade cooking bar, it also turned into an instant outdoor kitchen.
I can’t even begin to tell you how many pots of chili or garden fresh vegetable soup we made over the fire. And the taste of that slow-simmering soup made over open flames? Well, it is simply divine!
One thing is for sure, the fire pit always made an evening seem more than magical. And that is exactly why when we moved to the new farm this year, building one became a top priority. In fact, it was one of the very first projects we completed.
Avoid Building A Backyard Fire Pit Without Doing These Things First
Building a fire pit really can be both simple and inexpensive. The secret to success starts by employing a few basic fire pit building techniques that make it both strong, beautiful and functional. Then, by using natural and locally available materials, you can give it an incredible look that also happens to be quite economical.
Both of our fire pits were constructed for under $175 using the same process. In fact, our newest fire pit was actually built for under $50! Here is a step by step look at how we created our fire pit, along with a few tips on the best way to keep your project affordable.
The first key to building a functional fire pit is to keep it slightly below the soil line. Burying the pit a bit under the ground has several big advantages when creating and maintaining a fire.
How To Build A Fire Pit: Cost Of Materials & Practical Tips For Diyers
Our new fire pit with the cooking bar installed. The hooks on the bar are perfect for hanging pots of stew or soup. You can also smoke meat right over the fire with them as well.
The cooking bar can easily be removed when not in use, and a threaded cover cap can be screwed to cover up the pipes in the pit. It is also extremely easy to use ready made outdoor cooking grates over with the fire pit as well.
We use a Hikeman folding grill in our fire pit to cook hamburgers, chicken, steaks and more. It simply sits within the fire pit on fold out legs and makes cooking anything a breeze! Product Link : Hikeman Folding Grill Top
How To Diy A Backyard Fire Pit {easy Weekend Project}
A strong base is a key to a sturdy, long lasting fire pit. Especially one that will use stacked stone to create its walls. For our base, we use inexpensive limestone screenings. They can usually be found at a quarry, or small gravel or sand lot locations as well.
At around $7 to $10 a ton, a small pick-up load usually runs around $4. Some places will even allow you to take the screenings in 5 gallon buckets for about $1 per bucket.
Screenings are made up of small bits of limestone and the dust from the limestone rock. The limestone screenings pack down strong and give a firm, level base for a fire pit.
How To Build A Diy Fire Pit With Gravel, Stones, And Walkway
Limestone screenings are a by product of quarries as they create gravel. It makes for a great packing base, and is extremely inexpensive.
A four inch base of limestone screenings at the bottom of a fire pit are more than enough to create a great base for the stone layers on top. And it still leaves the pit depth at around 12″ down into the soil.
With the base complete, we began building the stacked stone wall. Although you can purchase rock at a stone center, it can be unbelievably expensive. One of the best ways to save is to purchase your rock at a local quarry instead.
How To Build A Backyard Fire Pit From A Kit
For our first fire pit, we usedrip-rap mixed size rock found at a nearby quarry. At around $20 per ton, we were able to get all of the rock we needed for around $80.
For our new fire pit, we were even more fortunate. When the crews were digging for our septic and water tanks, they unearthed tons of rocks. Mary and I quickly went to work snatching them up, and were able to build the new fire pit entirely from rock from the farm – and absolutely free!
The point is, however you, find your rock, there are better options that purchasing palletized stone. With a little leg work and creativity, you can save big for sure. Even old brick or broken concrete can look great with its jagged edges.
Diy Rustic Fire Pit In The Woods
For our fire pit at the new farm, we were lucky enough to score rock right from the land. You can also purchase large rock from a quarry at a significant discount.
Building a stacked stone fire pit is all about being patient and working slow. We presorted through the rock, setting out the largest stones for the base. From there, we built up with the remaining rocks. We set aside the flattest of the rocks to create the top of the pit.
The key is to set one course at time. Try several rocks in different places, and with patience, you will find rocks that fit perfectly together. Work slowly and make it fun. The beauty of stacking dry stone is it is easy to fix and change. It also makes it nice if a rock is ever damaged to simply put a new one in its place.
How To Build An Easy Backyard Fire Pit
For the sitting area around our fire pit, we used limestone screenings again, and then covered with inexpensive pea gravel. It not only looks great, but drains well after any rain.
First, wesprayed the sitting area with high strength vinegar to kill off the grass. Next, we put down a two to three inchlayer of limestone screenings to form a strong, hard base.
Base and then cover the area around the fire pit with #8 pea gravel. It fills in around the buried stone and makes the entire area look complete.
How To Build A Diy Fire Pit
Once we had a level and firm base, we followed with a 2 inch top coat of #8 pea gravel. We have used this combination of a
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