What kind of block for fire pit

Fire pit inserts only come in specific sizes so you will need to purchase a liner before you begin your fire pit project. Custom sized fire pit inserts can be found and purchased online, but this adds to the cost.

We preach about proper preparation of the ground before building a fire pit or any type of wall or patio. The ground WILL shift, and if you live in a climate that freezes, this will happen more sooner than later!

However, what is nice about wall block fire pits is that you could skip this step if you are dry-laying your pit not using mortar. If you simply want to grab some wall block, throw down a few rings on the grass, and have a fire in it immediately, with wall block you can absolutely do that. Even if you would like to keep your wall block fire pit where it is for a few years, you can still just dry-lay it, knowing that you may have to pull some or most of the blocks off at some point and reset them after they have shifted and look uneven.

But, with wall block you have the option to do that. Definitely properly prepare the ground for you fire pit if using mortar on any parts of your pit, however. Shifting ground and mortared blocks are a waste of time and money, so do take the time to prep your area if using mortar. A wall block fire pit could just be set on the ground, but there are other materials that could be used inside a fire pit.

Gravel, lava rock, dirt, sand, or a layer of refractory cement are common materials used at the bottom of a fire pit. Avoid pea gravel as they can have air pockets inside that could explode when exposed to high heat. You have more choices when it comes to what to put around the outside of your fire pit.

Any fire-resistant material would work, including all of the ones listed above, plus cement, pavers, and flagstone. Of course, nothing is also an option if you are wanting to keep things simple. You can find straight-sided bricks for use in a rectangular pit, or blocks with angled sides to form a round pit.

First things first. Contact the planning offices in your area to see if any restrictions apply. Choose a location for your ring of fire, one that is on relatively flat ground and situated well away from flammable structures.

Remember also to clear any tree branches that are hanging dangerously low. Decide how wide you want your fire pit to be—the recommended diameter for a round fire pit is between 36 and 44 inches—and use marking paint to outline the footprint. Accomplish this by driving a stake into the middle of the area where you want the fire pit to go.

Tie a length of twine to the stake that is equal to half the planned diameter. Then walk around the stake in a circle, twine extended, painting the perimeter. Go about eight inches deep. If the yard is sloped, it may be necessary to dig down deeper on one end to ensure your installation will be level. Tamp down the sand in order to compact and level it. Lay one course of concrete retaining wall blocks around the edge of the pit. If slight adjustments are necessary in order to make the blocks level, tap them with a rubber mallet to establish the correct height.

For a bit more peace of mind, you can use a fire-safe construction adhesive to bond the blocks together. This will ensure a solid structure that will withstand feet-propping — but will also make the fire pit more difficult to dismantle. Lay a second ring of staggered blocks above the initial one, attaching the two tiers by means of masonry adhesive, if desired To promote air circulation around the fire, leave small, intermittently located gaps between the blocks.

Add about four inches of crushed stone within the cavity, then lay down your final two rings of blocks. Let the adhesive dry for approximately two days before having your first fire.

After that, let it burn, baby, burn! Doing so will extend the life of your blocks by preventing them from drying out prematurely. You may find that you like the appearance of the steel ring, as well!

Set one or more gel fuel canisters into the wet concrete to create the right-sized space coat the canister with non-stick cooking spray for easy removal. Place rocks or beach glass into the still-wet, pliable concrete mix for a sparkling finishing touch. When the concrete dries, remove the container gently break it apart if necessary or glide the concrete out of the container for your unique fire pit.

Deals, Steals, and Heels. To prevent the sand from shifting, dig a 4-inch-deep hole in the grass with a spade, remove the turf, and fill the hole with paver sand. Just add firewood and bring a supply of marshmallows to roast. The Inspired Room. Not all fire pits need to be created entirely from scratch. The result is a fire pit with a cozy, natural-stone look.

Red Door Home. Most backyard fire pits offer the charm of flames that can roast marshmallows. But Stacy at Red Door Home wanted a completely functional fire pit that can be used for cooking throughout the summer.

Two full-size grills rest atop a ring of retaining wall blocks, allowing Stacy to cook anything from steaks and kebabs to s'mores. Extending the use of the fire pit ensures that it can be used for more than just the summer season. If you're going for the look of a stylish, pricey fire pit for practically nothing, it helps to get inventive. A sleek receptacle that can double as a fire pit is a stainless steel washing machine drum.

Stainless steel holds up to heat, and the holes throughout the drum allow for the oxygen flow a fire needs for keeping the flames lit. Another perk at night, the little holes against a dark night backdrop look like tiny twinkly dots of light. Making this firepit requires some work, such as finding a used or old drum and using an angle grinder to get rid of the centerpiece, the agitator, making space for the firewood.

Make sure you remove all the plastic and rubber bits, too. Classic fire pits are a must-have out in the wilderness or camping; they are the primary method of getting warmth and making food. So, nothing is more old-school and referential to camping than erecting a tripod and hanging a giant cast iron cooking pot or stylish deep cauldron in your backyard.

But in this case, instead of lighting the fire underneath the kettle, put the firewood inside the kettle and enjoy the warm glow. DIY Joy. As long as you have access to an angle grinder and can get your hands on two old truck or car tire rims that are the same size, you can make an industrial-looking fire pit.

You won't need to weld the two edges together; the two can stack on top of the other. That should give you a large opening big enough to allow you to add firewood as needed. If you're going for more of an open fire option, you can also use only one tire rim and stack rocks and bricks stylishly around it. Tractor tire rims are giant and make an excellent option for a larger fire pit. Tony Whiston. It probably doesn't sound pretty retooling a beer keg into a fire pit, but it can be.

It depends on your skills and how much time you want to invest in this project. As long as you know how to use a welder, an angle grinder, circular saw, drill, or Dremel, you can cut down these steel receptacles either vertically or horizontally and add vent holes. Also, stainless steel beer kegs can be sanded and polished to a mirror finish: you only need time and a little bit of elbow grease to class up these simple containers.

If your home has a rustic styling , French country aesthetic , or a farmhouse look , then an old metal wheelbarrow fits right in with the pastiche, adding some authenticity to your design.

A well-worn steel wheelbarrow may be past its prime for yard work, but give it a second life as a fire pit. Make sure it doesn't have any cracks or significant rust. Remove any plastic, rubber, or wooden parts. To protect your lawn and keep your fire pit safe , center the wheelbarrow on a foundation of stone or brick. Concrete rings come in different shades of white, beige, orange, and pink hues, giving you many options, and some have scallops to them.

Not all concrete is fire-safe, so line the inside of any concrete fire pits with fire brick and fire clay mortar to keep your fire pit intact or use a protective fire ring as an inner liner. The ridges of a galvanized steel fire ring can give your DIY fire pit a modern, industrial look. Made for containing a fire pit, these rings come in many styles at most big-box home improvement stores, including galvanized steel, lattice patterns, other cutout designs, and even square shapes.

Clear a space, put down some sand or a thin layer of pebbles, and put a ring down. Get some firewood, and you're all set. It's your simplest and quickest fire pit solution.