If your idea of a fire pit is a simple pile of stone blocks set in the middle of an expansive yard then this fire pit project is for you.
What You Need To build this simple yet functional fire pit you need tools such as: · shovel · retractable measuring tape · axe pick · level · hammer · steel brush · rake For materials you need: · 98 pieces retaining wall blocks · metal grate · steel pit ring with tabs · gravel · sand Site Preparation This is made of landscaping stone blocks.
You can use other types of stone or brick if you prefer.
Make sure though that you don't use any stone material that has been submerged in water as they can explode when subjected to the heat of the fire.
Concrete blocks are not advisable as they easily deteriorate with heat.
As preparation for drainage, a 6" whole 2 feet deep should be dug at the center of the proposed.
Fill this up with gravel to act as a sump for draining rainwater.
No cement is needed for the construction.
The method to be used is dry-stacking as it's easier to build this way.
Replacing cracked stone will be easier to do.
If you prefer to us cement, then use cement only on the outside half of the stones.
This is to protect the cement from the heat.
Digging the Fire Pit Mark the diameter of the fire pit at around 7 feet across.
Hammer a stake in the center of the proposed fire pit, attach a 16-inch length of string over the stake and mark the circle.
Loop another 28-inch length of string over the stake to mark the outside perimeter of the pit.
The difference between the two circles is the width of the stone blocks.
Next dig a depth of 12 inches of soil.
Fill this in with 4 inches of gravel and then 4 inches of sand.
Tamp it to level.
On this base, lay down the initial course of blocks.
Fill the area outside the blocks with gravel which basically buries the base course making it a stronger foundation.
Laying the Courses of Stones Lay the other courses of stones.
Position the steel ring that will hold the metal grate in place to act as guide for the courses of stones.
Hang a piece of string at the edge of the top course to the base course.
When each course touches the string then all the courses are straight.
You can drop a plumb line here instead of the string.
Overlap the layers of stone allowing 3 random gaps in between stones in each course.
Note to fill the middle of with gravel during once you've stacked 2 layers of the stones.
Before laying the final course of stone, position the steel ring in place before you add the final layer of stone on the lip of the ring.
Now fill up the fire pit with firewood or charcoal and "fire" away!
What You Need To build this simple yet functional fire pit you need tools such as: · shovel · retractable measuring tape · axe pick · level · hammer · steel brush · rake For materials you need: · 98 pieces retaining wall blocks · metal grate · steel pit ring with tabs · gravel · sand Site Preparation This is made of landscaping stone blocks.
You can use other types of stone or brick if you prefer.
Make sure though that you don't use any stone material that has been submerged in water as they can explode when subjected to the heat of the fire.
Concrete blocks are not advisable as they easily deteriorate with heat.
As preparation for drainage, a 6" whole 2 feet deep should be dug at the center of the proposed.
Fill this up with gravel to act as a sump for draining rainwater.
No cement is needed for the construction.
The method to be used is dry-stacking as it's easier to build this way.
Replacing cracked stone will be easier to do.
If you prefer to us cement, then use cement only on the outside half of the stones.
This is to protect the cement from the heat.
Digging the Fire Pit Mark the diameter of the fire pit at around 7 feet across.
Hammer a stake in the center of the proposed fire pit, attach a 16-inch length of string over the stake and mark the circle.
Loop another 28-inch length of string over the stake to mark the outside perimeter of the pit.
The difference between the two circles is the width of the stone blocks.
Next dig a depth of 12 inches of soil.
Fill this in with 4 inches of gravel and then 4 inches of sand.
Tamp it to level.
On this base, lay down the initial course of blocks.
Fill the area outside the blocks with gravel which basically buries the base course making it a stronger foundation.
Laying the Courses of Stones Lay the other courses of stones.
Position the steel ring that will hold the metal grate in place to act as guide for the courses of stones.
Hang a piece of string at the edge of the top course to the base course.
When each course touches the string then all the courses are straight.
You can drop a plumb line here instead of the string.
Overlap the layers of stone allowing 3 random gaps in between stones in each course.
Note to fill the middle of with gravel during once you've stacked 2 layers of the stones.
Before laying the final course of stone, position the steel ring in place before you add the final layer of stone on the lip of the ring.
Now fill up the fire pit with firewood or charcoal and "fire" away!
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