Adding a DIY fire pit to your backyard is a great way to keep the fun going after dark. However, figuring out the best fire pit design can often present challenges. There are many factors you should consider when choosing and building a DIY fire pit, from making sure you avoid wet stones to exposing river rocks to a few days of direct sunlight to dry properly. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a fire pit, we’ll show you how. This guide will detail the different types of DIY fire pit ideas you can install, the materials you’ll need for your fire pit area, and what’s best for your home so you can roast hot dogs and marshmallows all night long around your newly created seating area.

1.Stacked Stone DIY Fire Pit

For an artistic-looking DIY fire pit, instead of using uniformly shaped firebricks, grab a few rough rocks and build a covered stone fire pit. If your work is sturdy enough, you don’t need any cement to build the pit either – but use common sense when building your walls. All you need to do is pile the boulders in a circle, about three rows high. Make sure to use a larger rock for the base. Here are some additional tips for keeping your structure safe:

• If the stone doesn’t feel secure, add some nonflammable masonry adhesive, landscape adhesive, or liquid nails.
• For the center, spread an inch or two of paving sand at the bottom of the fire pit.
• The exterior of the fire pit should also be lined, and there should be no grass or other yard items within two feet of the fire pit.

This simple fire pit can easily liven up your outdoor space and serve as the perfect seating area for chilly evenings.

2.Underground DIY Fire Pit

In-ground fire pits are growing in popularity among DIY fire pit builders. Before digging, be sure to call 811, the federal government’s “Dial Before Digging Number.” Someone will come and mark the approximate location of any underground lines, pipes, and cables so you can dig safely. A typical in-ground fire pit can be 1 to 3 feet deep. Once you’ve dug your fire pit to the desired size, line the earthen wall with stones or bricks. Follow these additional steps to get started:

• First, you’ll need to create a bed of gravel or lava, then cover it with the bottom of the fire pit – either larger stones or bricks, or an even covering like quick-drying cement.
• Consider adding gutters during this step to keep the pit from filling with rainwater and attracting mosquitoes. You can do this by digging a trench from the center of the pit outwards. If you want to add plumbing, install it about 10 feet from the fire pit.
• Place the bottommost stones and make sure they are level so they are flat when you stack the stones.
• Once the first coat is smooth, brush off excess dirt and get ready to glue the next coat. Apply some construction adhesive to the bottom of the other block, turn it over, and stack it on top of the first layer. Continue this process until your fire pit reaches the top of the hole.
• Backfill the edges and compact the soil around the fire pit.
• Allow at least 24 hours for the construction adhesive to cure before starting a fire.

3.Tin DIY Fire Pit

Using any barrel scrap you can find, you can make an all-in-one tin DIY fire pit. Tin fire pits are very safe because they ensure your fire is well-controlled and are preferred in open plains and windy areas, such as if you live in San Francisco, CA, or rent a house in Indianapolis, IN.

You can use high-temperature paint (like Rust-Oleum) and stencils to beautifully finish up your repurposed tin pail.

4.DIY Fire Pit Above Ground

Above-ground fire pits are the perfect DIY fire pit solution for those who don’t want to laboriously dig a hole in the ground. First, choose some nice gravel as a base, spread it out to create the overall fire pit space, and stack the fire pit stones in a circle. For this design, it is important to choose pre-cut stones that are even and fit perfectly. With this, you will be able to create a large fire pit or a small fire pit depending on your preference. The concrete block fire pit pictured above was built from crushed concrete rock with a few extra aesthetic details. However, there are many different rocks you can choose from, such as stone bricks or cinder blocks.

The stones in the pit should be heavy enough to be dry-stacked, meaning no binder or cement is required. Make the most of your outdoor living space by hanging some outdoor lights above the fire pit and decorating with planters.

5.DIY Fire Pit with Fire Bowl

If you want high fire, this is the design for you. You can build the fire pit wall to the desired height (only uniform bricks are used for this design, not therough stone mentioned above), and then top it off with a fire pit or fire pit table you can buy from the store.

Make sure the fire pit is the right size for the fire pit by building the first layer of the wall around the top of the fire pit screen. When purchasing a fire bowl, make sure it has a drainage hole in the center and a good foundation, such as lava rock (pouring a fire bowl full of water is a hassle). You can even buy one with a glass cover to keep water out of the pit. This modern fire pit idea will make your home look classy compared to other homes.

6.Grate Drum DIY Fire Pit

For a less formal, cozy DIY fire pit look, simply add a smoker basket (also known as a standing drum). You can buy a pre-made one or make one yourself using a flexible metal grill bought at the hardware store and some bolts to hold it in a circle. Many Hometalk DIYers like to use old washing machine drums, which sell for about $10 at used electronics stores. Then insert the drum into the center of the fire pit. If you choose to build a solid wall design like the fire pit picture, be sure to leave a drainage route for rainwater.

Whichever style you choose, make sure you enjoy it responsibly. Take all necessary safety precautions before, during, and after building your fire pit to keep everyone safe.

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