Building your own DIY fire pit is a great way to bond with your friends and family when you are hanging out in your backyard.
You can sit around the fire and enjoy it, but first, you need to know how to build one. There are several steps you need to take in order to build a proper DIY fire pit. Keep reading to find out how you can build a fire pit to enjoy at home.
Preparation
There are first a few things you must do before you get started. First, you need to make sure you have all the tools and materials handy before you start working on your DIY fire pit. According to a number of estimates, these items should cost you no more than $200. Here are those materials:
• Gravel
• Sand
• 52 retaining wall blocks
Optional items include a steel ring to line the inside of the pit and a metal grate to cover the top of the pit once it is built.
Dig Your Hole
You will need to dig a hole approximately 2 feet wider than you want your fire pit to be which is about 4 feet across. Make the area as level as possible. You will need about 4 inches of gravel and 4 more inches of sand to help make sure that this area is completely level.
Lay the Blocks
Now it is time to assemble the stone layers. You can use a steel ring that holds it into place to make sure that all of the layers are round and the exact same size.
If you do not have a steel ring, make sure the bottom layer is as perfectly round as possible. The next few layers will lay on top of the base. The middle of the pit will typically be about 32 inches around.
…Stack More Stone
Continue laying the blocks in a circle until the DIY fire pit reaches your desired height. Depending on the size of your fire pit, it should take approximately 10-15 stones for each layer all the way around.
If you plan on cooking over the fire pit, it probably will be a good idea to buy a metal grate to cover the fire pit. This way, if someone accidentally drops a hot dog or marshmallow over the fire, it can still be grabbed and eaten.
There are numerous other fire pit designs that are more complex and ornate that can be found for free online.