How to build a firepit: Spruce up your backyard w/ this easy DIY Fire Pit idea. It’s a perfect Fall weekend project!
One of the items on our never ending to-do list was to put in some sort of outdoor fire pit. We have such a pretty outdoor setting and a perfect little clearing down by our dry creek bed, it seemed like a waste to not be enjoying every part of it. I knew it would be really easy for my hubby to build a fire pit, but there always seemed to be a more important project on the list and our DIY fire pit project kept getting put off.
Last October, we had a multi-family camping trip and stayed at an awesome RV park in New Braunfels. The park had a heated pool, game room, a big bouncing pillow/trampoline thing and best of all, a great big fire pit with lots of seating. We had such a great time with the family around that fire pit, that my hubby got motivated to get our’s done in time for Thanksgiving. (I was our turn to host Thanksgiving weekend for the family.)
Building the fire pit turned out to be such an easy project, we’re not exactly sure why we waited so long to get it done! (Easy if you don’t count all the shoveling and unloading of the retaining wall blocks my hubby had to do, lol.)
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I’ve written up how he put the fire pit together. I don’t have any photos of the process, but it’s very simple and photos aren’t really necessary. (My hubby generally starts these projects on Saturdays when he’s home with the kids and I’m at work. And he’s not one to read directions, let alone stop and take photos to document his steps… 😉 )
How to build a Firepit
Materials used:
- 68 12-in L x 4-in H Limestone Basic Retaining Wall Block ($1.98 each from Lowe’s) This will give you a 4 foot in diameter (from outer edge to outer edge) by 12 to 16 inches tall pit.
- Decomposed granite, sand or pea gravel. You could get away with a couple of bags, but we chose to make a 14 foot diameter circle around the fire pit. (For safety and aesthetic reasons.) We got 2 yards of crushed/decomposed granite for the circle and pathway and still had some left over. It was $40 per yard plus delivery.
- optional landscape retaining wall adhesive (we found this at Lowes too.)
- Shovels, rakes, wheelbarrow and other misc gardening supplies, plus a very strong back
We are marshmallow roasting pros now…
Part of our local code says that we are fine if we are burning for the purpose of outdoor cooking, so we always have a pack of marshmallows or hot dogs nearby. (Plus a garden hose for safety.)
Hubby had a special grate made by a welder for easier cooking… Similar grate on amazon.
And now we can cook sausage and beans to our heart’s content, redneck style of course…
I took the photos above last fall when we still had leaves on the trees, but the entire pathway wasn’t finished. I snuck out for a few more pictures this morning…
Like this project? Don’t forget to pin it!
If you are looking for a few more semi-easy outdoor projects you can do yourself, be sure to check these out as well:
Ronda Waters says
This is gorgeous! We have a fire pit that needs a little tlc, so this is super inspiring! Thanks for sharing on the Take A Look Tuesday link up!
WoodsofBellTrees says
I am LOVING this! I don't really like our portable fire pit and we've been wanting to do something fun in our yard!!!! I am going to have hubs check our local code so we maybe we can do this too!!! Thanks!
Shannon Kley says
Stopping by from the linkup! This is amazing! My husband and I have always wanted to build our own when we move. Definitely pinning! xoxo
the cape on the corner says
wonderful, and i especially love it with the grill on top. i thought those were just plain bricks making up the fire pit-we have a ton of them laying around. do you think that would work, or it would have to be retaining wall blocks?
Jamie says
You can use bricks, no problem. We used the retaining wall stones since we didn't have any bricks on hand and the retaining wall stones from Lowes are already curved, so they were super easy to lay out.
Good luck!
~Jamie
twinkietotmom says
I love this! We don't have quite the backyard you do but we do have one of those metal fire pits and hate how small it is, and the fact that it gets rusty when my husband leaves it out. We've been wanting to do some sort of stone fire pit as well. I'm going to have to show him this! Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie Clinton says
How beautiful! I love the winding path, the lights and of course the fire pit. We have a big side yard and this would be perfect. Pinning this so I can show my hubby!
JoAnn SweetPepperRose says
Very nice fire pit! love the walkway and lights, so quaint and cozy
Julia Klimek says
I want that in my back yard! Gorgeous with the lights and the stumps… Pinning! Julia
Jamie says
Thank you!
Carrie from Carrie This Home says
This is such a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends! Love it and pinning this!
Would you mind to share this at the Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop? I love to see easy DIY projects like this at our party!
http://carriethishome.com/2014/03/frugal-crafty-home-blog-hop-69/
Nikki says
Oh this looks absolutely wonderful! I wish I had the space to make something like this in my garden.
Kyleigh Castronaro says
Wow, this is gorgeous!! We've been wanting to put in a firepit but we need to have ours covered because of municipal laws. I wish I knew a welder to make a grate cover for us… I'm still going to save this because if we ever find a cover, I'd love to make my own!
Jamie says
You can search google or craigslist to find someone who does welding repair or makes/repairs iron gates. They are definitely out there. I just asked my hubby, he paid $150 for the cover to be made.
~Jamie
Andrea @ Mouse in My Pocket says
Wow! That project looks super easy, and I love the grate for the top.
Karin Brosnan says
I grew up with a fire pit in our backyard and have such happy memories of it. This is such and awesome idea and tutorial. I would love to have you join me for my Centerpiece
Wednesday linky party and share this post with us. Come on over http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2014/04/centerpiece-wednesday-cool-blues-with.html
Karin
Katie @ Creatively Living says
That turned out beyond awesome! Especially with the lights! I have plans to get around to mking one of these this summer! Thanks for linking it up at Monday Funday! Pinning!
Jamie says
Thanks, Katie
Doug Boyd says
When you indicate that the bricks form a 4 foot circle, do you mean the inner or outer diameter?
Jamie says
Hmm, we made this 6 months ago, so I don't remember… I will measure next time I go out there and will follow up…
Alan Easley says
Does it have any vents or does it get air in through the gravel?
Jamie says
no vents, it seems to get plenty of air.
Daniel Knight says
The retaining wall blocks in the linked URL are completely different from the blocks used in your fire pit. The linked blocks have a protruding lip on the inner, bottom edge that locks each row just inside the row below it and prevents them from being stacked vertically as in your pit. These are the types of blocks I've found at home improvement stores, but what I need are the blocks you used in your pit. Do you know where your blocks came from and what they are called?
Jamie says
We bought ours at Lowes in Austin Texas. Have you been to Lowes? My hubby said next time he goes (which is several times a week,) he will get a skew #. And your lowes can look for them that way.
~Jamie
Daniel Knight says
Great. Thank you very much. I'll keep an eye out for that number if you can get it. I've only checked Lowes' website so far. I'll have to get over to the store and see if they have anything helpful to say.
Afton Holian says
where did you get those chairs?!
Jamie says
They came from lowes. I ordered them online: http://www.lowes.com/pd_102909-1364-8371-60-3700_1z0wem6__?productId=50086642&pl=1
~Jamie
MommyNamedApril says
we make a similar type of fire pit every year and then stack the bricks up next to the house when it gets too hot again. your yard is gorgeous and i'm totally jealous of that grate!
PattyMc says
I love your firepit (already pinned!). Wondering about the decomposed granite…I want to put this in our back yard, but every fall we have tons of pine needles fall. I need to be able to blow these off…is the path/sitting area hard or will the decomposed granite blow away with the needles? Thanks so much for your help! Patty
Jamie says
Thanks! After a while the granite becomes fairly packed and would most likely weather a light blowing fairly well. (We blow our off in the spring.)
Good luck.
Deb Hatton says
We’re also not loving our portable pit and this looks so easy I don’t think we can justify NOT trying it this summer! Thanks for awesome idea!
Erin Mills says
What size grate did you guys get? I absolutely love this and am trying to figure out what size would work for us.
Thanks!
Erin
Jamie says
Ours was custom made.
Karen says
yes, would like the opening size to buy a grate online please and thank you!
Jamie says
I’m sorry, we sold this house so I cannot get the measurements.
Sher says
What is the actual grate material? It doesn’t look food safe? I have a similar grate & mine rusted up. Can place cookware on it, but def not food. Just curious as I need a new one!
Jamie says
Stainless steel. I will eventually rust and if you don’t feel like cleaning it every time, (or using foil/sheet pans) you’ll need to replace it at some point.
Maggi says
How do you take ashes out?
Jamie says
With a shovel.