While 66 percent of Americans love to watch the fire burn and smoke, a fireplace is a wonderful amenity only to those who live on the east and west coasts of the U.S.
The rest of the country either does not have a fireplace or does not use it to heat their homes because it’s too costly.
That’s where the fire pit comes in.
Creating a space where your family and friends can huddle during those chilly nights is easier than you think and can be done from scratch!
Read on to learn more about how you can begin to build a fire pit in your backyard today.
How to Build a Firepit: Choosing the Design
If you want to easily build a fire pit in your backyard, you will need to choose the design first. Decide if you want a permanent or portable fire pit.
If you want a permanent fire pit, you will need to dig a hole in your backyard and build a stone or brick structure around it.
If you want a portable fire pit, you can buy one at a store or online. Once you have chosen the design, follow the instructions to build it.
The most important thing is to make sure that the pit is the right size for your needs. It should be big enough to comfortably hold a fire, but not so large that it is overwhelming for your yard.
How to Build a Firepit: Materials and Tools
Once you have chosen a design, the next step is to gather the materials. For most fire pits, you will need bricks, stone, or concrete pavers. If you are using bricks, you will also need mortar.
If you are using mortar, be sure to follow the instructions carefully.
If you are using stone, you may need to rent a jackhammer to break the pieces into the right size.
You’ll also need some gravel, sand, and a metal fire ring. Once you have your materials, its time to start building!
How to Build a Firepit: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Choose the Location of Your Firepit
Pick a level spot in your backyard that’s at least 10 feet away from any structures or foliage. If you have a patio, deck, or grass, that’s fine. Just make sure to clear a 10-foot diameter around where your fire pit will go.
If you have a large backyard, you may want to consider placing the fire pit in the center of the yard. If you have a smaller backyard, you may want to place the fire pit closer to the house.
Step 2: Decide on the Size of Your Firepit
When deciding on the size of your fire pit, think about how many people you want to be able to fit around it.
A good rule of thumb is to make a fire pit about 2 feet wide for every person you want to be able to fit. So, if you want to be able to fit 10 people around your fire pit, make it about 20 feet wide.
Step 3: Clear the Area Around Your Chosen Location
If you want to build a fire pit in your backyard, the first thing you need to do is clear the area around your chosen location. This means removing any grass, leaves, or other debris that could catch fire.
Once the area is clear, you can begin to build your fire pit
Step 4: Creating the Fire Pit
Use a shovel to dig a hole that is about 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. After this, you’ll need to fill the hole with gravel.
Once the hole is filled with gravel, you’ll need to add some sand. This will help to create a base for your fire pit.
Next, line the hole with stones or bricks. You can use any type of stone or brick, but make sure that they are fire resistant.
Once the hole is lined, fill it with wood, but leave space between the pieces so that air can circulate.
Now it’s time to light the fire! Grab a match and light the wood, being careful not to burn yourself. Once the fire is going, you can add more wood as needed.
Step 5: Place the Metal Ring
After you have assembled your fire pit, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to use it. One of the most important things to consider is how you’re going to keep your fire contained.
A metal ring is a great way to do this. You can find metal rings at most hardware stores. Be sure to get one that is the right size for your fire pit.
Place the metal ring in the center of the pit and make sure that it is level. If it is not level, the fire will not burn properly.
Step 6: Place Fire Pit Chairs
To have the perfect fire pit experience, you need to choose the best firepit chairs that will be a total fit to your backyard.
Once you have found the perfect chairs, you need to make sure that they are the right height. The chairs should be a little taller than the edge of the fire pit so that you can see over the flames.
Also, make sure that the chairs are close enough to the fire pit so that you can enjoy the warmth of the fire.
How to Build a Fire Pit: Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an easy weekend project that will make your backyard the envy of the neighborhood, look no further than building a fire pit.
In just a few hours and with a few materials, you can easily build a fire pit that will provide years of enjoyment.
Now that you know how to easily build a fire pit in your backyard, go ahead and fire it up. So what are you waiting for? Get started today. Let us know how it turns out!
Make sure to browse through our site for more articles about outdoor living for inspiration for your backyard.