How to Build a Firepit
Hey there! Hope you had a great weekend! We got so much done this weekend and one of those projects was phase 2 of our patio – The firepit! I can’t believe that it has taken us almost a month to do something that took us less than an hour to complete. Really, it took longer to go get all the supplies than it took to unload and put it all together. And now we enjoy the cool fall evenings out on our new patio – by the fire! LOVE!!! 🙂
I’m going to show you how we built this easy firepit in less than an hour!
We set out to Lowe’s Home Improvement to search for the block and the firepit.
I knew I wanted the biggest firepit available that would work for our project,
but that would also fit into our penny pinching budget. And what’s even better,
Lowe’s has all their pavers and blocks on sale for 20% through September 24th – today!!
For this firepit, we went with this 35″ steel firepit for $80 at Lowe’s.
And the block we chose was Tan/Gray Flagstone Retaining Block.
For this pit, we purchased 48 blocks. Hard at work loading up
all that block while I’m snapping pictures! 🙂
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Annnnd here’s the hubs when I look at him and squeal with excitement say,
“I can’t wait to get this home and put
it all together! I’m so excited about this honey! Aren’t you?”
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Okay, maybe not so much. 😉
So here is the patio before we put in the firepit.
Lowe’s also has a great tutorial on their website for building a firepit.
I pretty much went right along with that for this project. Some firepits can be built
right on the ground by digging down and adding gravel and sand.
In this case, since we were building on top of the concrete patio,
I decided to go with the firepit insert to keep the heat
from being in direct contact with the concrete, which could cause it to crack.
First, we opened the box for the firepit and placed the firepit screen cover in the center of
the patio where we wanted the firepit to go. We then laid the first row of blocks
around that. This was how we knew how big the circle needed to be.
Once we got the first row done, then we staggered the blocks for the second row.
and again for a third row.
We didn’t use any mortar or adhesive for the blocks. It’s optional if you prefer to
make this more permanent, but I knew I wanted to be able to move it or take it up
in the summer time if we wanted to. I always like to have the option if possible. 🙂
We did four rows of block which made this firepit about 16″ high.
Once all the blocks are put in place, just drop the firepit insert on top
and put in the grate.
All that other stuff that is left in the box for the firepit?
Just box it up and save it for another day or whatever you choose.
This firepit did come with a cover which we will use during bad weather
to keep it from rusting.
So, less than one hour, and we have a firepit ready to go!
And so easy to clean up. Just pick up the bowl insert, and toss out the
ashes! Here is just a few more pictures:
We ended up using it Saturday night and it was a perfect night for it!
Roasted marshmallows and all!
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I am loving this little addition to our patio!
And the hubs loves it too! I think he would’ve camped out in our backyard that night! 😉
So there you have it! An easy little firepit that you can put together in less than an hour!
Who’s bringing the smores? 🙂
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33 comments on “How to Build a Firepit”
Go fir pit
Are there any clearances to burnable materials that I need to follow when setting up my gas firepit?
Fore more such information see this website: https://gofirepit.com.
Felicia Morton
Beautiful job! Is there any risk of damage to the stamped concrete, or does it being elevated prevent any issues? Looking to do the same on our new patio!
Felicia Morton
Ah sorry to comment twice! When I looked back today I couldn’t see my first comment. Please disregard my apologies
Ellora
Thank you Felicia! The heat from the fire has not caused any damage to the concrete and yes, I believe the elevation of the fire bowl prevents any issues. With the blocks, you could space them just enough that some air could get through if you had concerns but we’ve never had any issues with this set up. I would definitely use the firebowl though. 🙂 Good luck and tag us in your photo if you do this on your patio! We’d love to see it!
Felicia Morton
Thank you so much for this tutorial – beautiful job! We are having a new stamped concrete patio installed soon and I am reading scary stuff about fire pits cause heat transfer in concrete and potential cracking. With your method, is the bowl up high enough off the ground to prevent this? Or did you add something under neath as well? Appreciate it in advance!
Tamara N Schwalbe
Do you have any problems with rain collecting in the fire pit? Are you able to drain it easily?
Ellora
Hi Tamara,
If your firepit comes with a fabric cover, you may be able to use that. Otherwise, yes it can fill up with rainwater. However, our firebowl is small and lightweight enough we are able to just dump the water out and start over with dry firewood. Hope this helps!
Tamara N Schwalbe
Thanks so much for the feedback! That’s very helpful :).
Kelli
Love this project and can’t wait to make our own. I am curious what is the diameter of the circle on your patio. It looks like the perfect size for the fire pit. Thank you!
ROBERT MURRATTI
What size blocks did you go with, 3×8 or 4×11?
Ellora
Hi Robert! I used the 3×8 size. Hope that helps!
Wendy
I found your tutorial and went out and purchased the 36″ fire bowl in early spring. I have lots of stack stone left over from a previous planter tear down so thought hoe easy is this. However, I found out not all stack stone is created equal. Mine makes a circle of almost 40″ inside diameter. So now I either get a larger firepit bowl and sell the $199.00 one I have or cut stack stone. Just thought I would give others who find your wonderful tut a heads up on stack stone, and not to jump ahead before measuring the stone and purchasing the fire bowl first. 🙁
Hinchley
Great Article Ellora, this has inspired me to write my own DIY firepit guide! Check it out on whichfirepit.com when its out, hopefully it will be as informative as yours!
Carolyn
Looks great have been wanting do do one, They have one in their store for 300.00 and this was only 79.00 deffantly on my bucket list for the next couple of weeks! Thank you
Ellora @ Creatively Southern
Thank you Carolyn! It’s well worth every penny and every ounce of sweat to put this together! 😉 One of my favorite things to do in the evening is just relax by the open fire! Thanks for stopping by!!
Julie
Must have it !!! Thank you so much for sharing !
Ellora @ Creatively Southern
Thanks Julie! It’s probably one of my favorite DIY projects so far! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment!
I'm Not a Trophy Wife
Love! Found you on HomeTalk and noticed the Knoxville. Are you in Knoxville? My brother-in-law is John Becker on WBIR (married to my sister who volunteers at Adopt a Golden Knoxville (cutest facebook fan page ever)! laura@imnotatrophywife.com
Ellora
Thanks Laura!! Such a small world! Yes, I’m in Knoxville and you know I watch WBIR faithfully. 🙂 Thanks for stopping in and telling me. I’m such a dog lover too, so I’ll go check out her facebook page.
Deb's
Beautiful can’t wait until I have my own house again so I can do things and not have to keep everything in containers. I have a pit and I’m going to enjoy it my side street is loaded with old trees so limbs are easy fire wood I have a lot already for one and maybe two seasons of fire pits.
Ellora
They are so nice Deb, especially with spring coming up. I can just sit outside all day with a good fire going. 🙂 Hope this was helpful to you!
Beckie
Cool project! I love those blocks – great color choice! Thanks for the tutorial!
Ellora
Thank you Beckie! Thanks for stopping by!
Three Mango Seeds
Visiting from Looksisquare. Awesome project. 🙂 Clydia
Ellora
Thank you Clydia!! And thank you for stopping by! I am loving Looksisquare. So much inspiration there!
Claudine Pender
Dear Ellora!!! This is just what I needed!!! I would LOVE a fire pit in my yard!!! You make it sound so simple, I will give this a try!!! Thank you!!!
Jaime Lyn
ahhh looks like the perfect firepit! I love the space you have to enjoy it also! Thank you for sharing your how-to! What a great way to simply get a great high end look! Thanks for linking up at Happy Hour too!
Jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy
Renee @ The Abundant Abode
Love that! Just bought a cheapy firepit, and this is the perfect idea to spruce it up.
Ellora Drinnen
Thanks Lisa! I’ll be glad to join in on the party! Thanks for the invite and for taking time to comment!
Lisa/Fresh Eggs Daily Farm Girl
This is on my to-do list and yours came out beautifully. I hope you’ll come over and link up to my Farm Girl Blog Fest: http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/09/farm-girl-friday-blog-fest-1.html
the cape on the corner
oh my gosh, that is amazing. it is like it was meant to be in that round patio spot.
Ellora Drinnen
Thanks Crystal! This might be the easiest project we’ve done so far. I am just giddy over this one!
crystal woolever
I love it!! And it looks so easy to do. Great job!!