The first step is to dry-lay the bricks until the desired ring is formed. Some bricks may have to be cut to size to achieve the right circle. Then the edge of the circle is marked with a spade, before the bricks are set aside. Using the marked-out circle, a 12-inch-deep trench should be dug within the ring, which is as wide as a brick. Then the centre of the pit should be excavated to a depth of 6 inches. The trench should then be filled with ¾ inch drainage gravel to a height of 6 inches, making sure the final surface is completely level.

Next lay all of the blocks of the ring out one by one, ensuring that each one is level front to back and side to side and that they fit perfectly together. Once this is done, lay the second course of blocks. Use a caulking gun to put adhesive on two adjacent bricks and place a block over the top, and then continue doing this until the second layer is laid. At this point the pit should be filled with six inches of gravel and an iron campfire ring inserted, followed by adding the third and fourth layers of bricks.

If your fire ring is not capped. The final step and optional step is to cap the wall. Natural stone is a nice choice, and should be chiseled and cut until there are sufficient pieces in the right shapes to fit together like a jigsaw. These will have to be put in place with mortar and assembled so as to have a small overhang on each side.

After being left for two days to set, the pit will be ready for its first fire. An easy process that shouldn’t take more than a day or two of working, learning how to build a fire pit is an investment in a happy future

Choosing landscaping blocks gives you the freedom to create any look you desire. They come in a variety of colors, sizes and can be chosen to coordinate with a home or existing landscaping. After you purchase the blocks, take them to the location you wish to build the pit. Lay them out in the desired place and create a perfect circle. Use a tool such as a spade to mark the circle all the way around, about an inch from the outside of the ring. Remove the stones and dig a trench with straight sides about 12 inches deep and one block width. Lay the ring of blocks down to verify their fit, and then move them again.

Fill the trench with gravel, making sure that the trench stays level and even. Put the first block in place and use a small level to ensure it is sitting properly in all directions. A mallet can be used to tap down one side while gravel can be added to raise it up a bit. Position the next block beside the first and so on, creating the first layer. Apply masonry adhesive to two blocks side by side on the first level and apply a block. This will begin your second level. After two levels complete, fill with a few inches of gravel to help support the progressing wall. Finish laying the third and fourth levels.

At this point, an iron fire pit ring could be added. However, more decorative options are now available. Specialized steel liners can be purchased and added to the pit. However, the actual fire pit construction must be completed with this accessory in mind. The depth and height of the pit will determine the size of cylinder you must purchase. Pre-made cylinders will give you the dimensions for constructing your pit. If you choose to build a pit prior to purchase, you may have to have a liner specially made, which can be a bit more expensive. A decorative steel ring can be added to the top of the pit to give it flair and design. These rings are also special order items but come in a variety of finishes and designs. Left unpainted they give a rustic, country appearance while black adds classic style to the overall look of the pit.

Location

Make sure the pit is far away from flammable objects (i.e. trees, dry leaves, the deck, wiring, etc). For most people, the middle of the yard is the best spot because it is farthest from any potential danger.

Burning method

Fire pits can produce heat either through wood burning or gas. The former is by far the most popular, because it is stylish, more natural and it smells a lot better. For most home landscapes, a wood burning fire pit will be a lot better looking than a gas variety.

Pick a shape

Wood fire pits can have any kind of shape you want (i.e. circular, rectangular, square, octagon, etc). The most popular is circular, and for most people this will work the best.

Size

Again, the size is completely up to you. Assuming you have the pit in the middle of the yard (you should for fire safety reasons) space should not be a big issue for most people, so you can make it as big or small as you want.

Above ground vs in-ground

Another consideration is whether to make it above or in-ground. It really just depends on your preferences. If you go with the latter version, make sure you do not dig too deep. Otherwise, cleaning the ashes and dirt out will be a real hassle.

Decoration

Brick and stone tend to be the best materials to put around the fire pit, and they both add style to it. If you are looking to improve the design, you might want to consider these materials.

Conclusion

If you want to know how to build a fire pit, you have a number of things to think about. Think about these 6 things before starting, and you will get the right fire pit for your home.

Frost disrupts the stability of soil. The force can be strong enough to crack stonework that has not been carefully designed. Over a few winters freezing weather will enlarge these cracks. Besides ruining the appearance of an important landscape feature, this reduces the safety of the pit. Use the same precautions as in constructing walls, patios or any kind of mortared stonework outdoors. The pit must withstand both extreme heat and simple cold weather.

The required depth of the foundation depends on geographical location. More specifically, it is a matter of how deep frost is expected to penetrate during the winter. This can be discovered on the internet from a map that shows winter temperatures and necessary footing depths. The value will be given in inches.

Unlike the concrete footings for a deck, the fire pit should be built on gravel. This allows rainwater to drain from the base. Although not as stable as concrete, gravel absorbs the disturbance caused by frost. That reduces stress on the stonework.

In preparing the site for building a fire pit, mark a circle on the ground to indicate the outside of the wall. Next excavate the entire pit within the circle down to a depth of six inches. The base of the stonework will eventually start at that six-inch depth, and the inside of the pit will be backfilled with gravel to ground level.

Now dig a trench around the inside edge of the circle. It should be as wide as the wall and deep enough to prevent frost heaving. In most cases the bottom of the trench should be 12 inches below ground level, but more where winter frost is deep.

Finally, fill the trench with fine gravel. Use a level to ensure the entire site is level on all sides. With this foundation laid, you are ready to proceed with building the wall. This will ensure a stable fire pit, attractive and functional for years to come.

After choosing a location for the fire pit construction, decide what materials to use. This depends on how the location fits into the landscape and what materials might already be on hand. If the fire pit will be part of a patio, it might be constructed with the same kind of brick or stone. Alternatively, a different complementary material can create a pleasing effect. Flat fieldstone pavers are one of the best choices. However, clay bricks or cement blocks can also make a nice installation.

To construct the fire pit it will likely be necessary to cut the stones. How much cutting depends on how refined you want it to look. A simple structure from clay brick or concrete may only require a mason’s chisel and hammer.

However, a wet table saw may be advisable for a professional-looking job. This is especially important if the fire pit will be part of a nice patio. It is good for cutting hard materials like fieldstone or something that fractures easily, like ceramic tile. It will also be the easiest way if a lot of cuts are required.

A wet table saw incorporates a circular diamond-edged blade. A water reservoir cools the blade while it is cutting. Rent this tool from a rental facility or building supply store.

With the right materials and tools for the project, you are ready to proceed. Set out the stones to make the outline of the fire pit one layer at a time. Wherever two stones butt up against one another, a cut may be required to make a clean joint. Place the stone that is to be cut on top of the stone resting beside it, then mark the underside. Be sure to leave a little space between the stones for mortar.

If using a saw, simply cut along the marked line. If working with a hammer and chisel, score the stone all the way around. Then place the stone on a hard surface, insert the chisel in the score and strike until the stone splits.

Continue cutting stones this way until one layer is complete. Then it is ready to be mortared in place. Carry on with the next layer. This how to build a fire pit that will appeal to your friends and neighbors.

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View Fire Pit Frames

Fire pits are undeniably the “hot” thing right now. Even coffee tables are now incorporating fire places in their designs. Fire is indeed fun to have but it is also equally dangerous. We have seen the kind of damage once fire gets furious and unruly.

So, it is very important to keep in mind the needed safety features and procedures that must be incorporated right from the very beginning of building a fire pit near your homes.

Here are some of the things that you need to remember when it comes to having fire as an entertaining feature in our homes:

1.    Check first the local regulations regarding having an open fire in your home. Usually, communities near the city have more stringent policies regarding building open fire in the backyard. The activity is definitely prohibited in apartments and multi-unit decks.

2.    Carefully follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturers.

3.    Permanent fire pits are ideally installed in outdoor spaces a good distance away from the house and flammable materials.

4.    Keep the fire manageable and keep fire extinguishers nearby as part of safety measures.

5.    Fire pits are  low-sitting, usually about 1-2 feet from the ground. Make extra precautions to keep kids or pets away from the flaming fire pit.

6.    Taking extra protection is always good. Consider those fire pit designs with fire cover. It is also good to consider those that have wind covers especially if you opted to have a patio gas fire pit.

7.    Put off fire and embers completely after every use of the fire pit. Embers may reignite and rebuild fire, if unnoticed and uncontrolled, it may cause great damage.

8.    Have regular check up on the gas pipe/tube system.

It’s great to enjoy with the dancing flames coming from the fire pit. But knowing how to build a fire pit with much caution ensures you fun and entertainment all throughout.

Also, the cross fire combustion fire pit kit is really the the best system on the market with all the bells and whistles.

I recommend you checkout theses simple instructions for how to build a fire pit

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