 How To Build A Fire Pit
Please note: The pages of this site are a guideline only - Before starting your project please seek appropriate expert advice and check with your local council regulations.
Having a fire pit in your backyard can be a source of many nights entertainment, relaxing with family and friends around the warmth and light of an evening fire, adding a grill rack and cooking up a feast, or simply roasting marshmallows and having a few beers.
While it's up to you what lengths you go to when building your pit, below are a few simple steps to building a basic fire pit in your yard.
Choosing The Location
Before digging out your pit you'll need to think about where you're going to put it. Safety is a big issue; you don't want to build your pit too close to your house, or near thick for overhanging garden areas that can easily catch fire. On the other hand, you probably don't want your fire pit to be smack-bang in the middle of your back lawn. Choose wisely, you may need to simply ensure that surrounding trees and gardens are well maintained and trimmed, and that your fire pit is within reach of a hose for the unlikely event that things get out of hand.
Once you've chosen where your pit is going to go, it's time to get started.
Basic Ground Level Pit
Assuming you're building a circular pit, hammer in a peg with a string attached to the center of where your pit will be dug. Hold the end of the string in your hand and with a can of spraypaint mark the inside perimeter of your pit. Once you've marked out your perimeter, simply dig the hole to your desired depth, slightly angling downward so the middle of your pit is the deepest point. Take into consideration whether you want the top of your fire to be well above, slightly above, or below ground level and dig your depth accordingly.
Cover the base of your pit with a layer of shingle or stones for drainage and to contain the heat of your fire (don't use stones that have been soaked in water as these can explode).
Around the edges, lay a border of bricks to tidy off the edges as well as offering shelter from the wind. Simply leave the pit as is, or add large rocks or out door furniture for seating.
Please note: The pages of this site are a guideline only - Before starting your project please seek appropriate expert advice and check with your local council regulations. Terraced Fire Pit
Building a terraced pit is a slightly more involved project, be sure to check for water and electrical pipes before digging too deep. Follow the instructions above, simply digging your pit deeper into the ground. From the center, mark out another perimeter circle for the first step up. Dig this step out to your desired level + 90mm (or the height of your chosen terrace bricks.) Once you've layed your inside border of bricks, continue covering the entire first level with bricks in a wedge pattern. Talk to your local hardware store assistant about the best heat-resistant mortar available in your area. - If desired, dig and lay bricks for a second tier of seating.
Now it's time to sit back with a drink and friends, and enjoy those summer nights staring into the flames.
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