How to Build a Sculptural Outdoor Fire Pit

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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An outdoor fire pit can be a great addition to your backyard. It will not only provide you with a new way to cook, but will also give you warmth on chilly nights. Read on to learn how to build a sculptural outdoor fire pit.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Shovel
Bricks or fieldstone
Mortar
Wood

Step1

Find a spot in your yard that is appropriate for a fire pit. It should be in an out-of-the-way area so that children or pets won't accidentally wander into it while it is hot. It should also be in an area that is free of dry material like leaves. Anything that could potentially catch on fire should be removed from the fire pit area.

Step2

Dig a pit that is about a foot deep. You will want to have enough room so that you can line the bottom with some stones and still have enough space for the wood you will be burning.

Step3

Line the bottom of the pit with some fieldstone or brick so that you won't be laying the wood directly on the soil. You will then need to extend these stones or brick above the ground's surface. Put some mortar between the bricks to make them more structurally sound. You won't have to bring it up too high. Half a foot should be plenty. What you are trying to accomplish here is to build a small wall that will shield your fire from the wind.

Step4

Decorate the outside of the wall so that it is pleasing to the eye and works well with any other structures in your backyard. You might want to leave the stones or bricks bare, or you might want to build a structure around the wall for decorative purposes.

Step5

Find some wood to burn in the pit. There are several types of wood to use for cooking. Each type will give the food a unique flavor. The type of wood you select will also produce a unique smell.

Tips & Warnings

You can also build an above ground fire pit using stucco.
Before building your fire pit, check with the local fire department. Your area might have codes that you will have to abide by when constructing your fire pit.