How to Build a Fire Pit In Your Back Yard

First and Foremost: Check all city ordinances for rules and regulations for fire pits in your area.

Step 1- Choose a location that is in an open space.

• Stay away from
• fences
• large overhanging trees
• shrubbery
• structures, such as your home

Step 2- Once the location is identified. Choose the center point of your fire pit and mark it.

• Take a pre-measured string of the desired radius length (4' is average). Hold the string at the center point and have a helper extend the other end of the string until it is straight.
• Rotate around the center point, marking the circle as you go until the circle is complete. Now you have your outline for your fire pit.

Step 3- Dig the pit

• Dig the pit depth to 1-2 feet
• Once you have completed digging, rake out pit to make level and compact it (can be done by a hand tamper)

Step 4- Circle pit with stone

• Pick out the stone of your choice- can be cinder block or pavers. Both are easy to stack and affordable
• Start to line the ring with a row of block and work your way up until you have a height of 1.5' (usually 3 rows of block)

Step 5- Fill in pit

• Take pea gravel or crusher fines (breeze) and line the bottom of the pit until you have about 4-6" depth
• Level and compact
• Fill in pit with wood.
• Add some pine cones (if available) and newspaper (black and white) to provide some kilning

Step 6- Light-er up

• Light up some newspaper and add to kilning until lit.
• Try to find a metal grate that can fit your pit. The grate will enable you to cook food and keep sparks to a minimum.
• Having a cover is good for when the pit is not in use and to keep water out of the pit for when it rains.
• Keep a bucket of water on hand for termination of fire

Congratulations!!! You just built your own fire pit!

As always practice fire safety!