How to Build a Wood Burning Fire Pit

Build Your Own Backyard Firepit!

There's no place like home, and if you have the room in your backyard, why not build an outdoor fire pit? Fire pits add adventure and a warm outdoor ambiance. You can build one for less money than you would expect and spend just a few hours of your time.

Things You'll Need

• 50 lb bag of medium sand
• 20 decorative retaining wall stones 12" x 8" x 4"
• Leather gloves
• String
• Shovel/spade tipped
• Two screwdrivers

Instructions

1. ~ Check your local city ordinances. ~

   Before you start this project, make sure it's okay to have an outdoor fire pit in your area.

2. ~ Scout out your backyard fire pit location. ~

   Where you decide to put your fire pit is important. It should be clear of any building or foliage overhang, and far enough away from any structures that could be adversely affected by heat.

   You should also avoid any sprinkler pipes, or any other underground obstructions.

   Ground should be fairly level.

3. 

   ~ Measure your space ~

   For this tutorial, we are assuming that you are building this wood burning fire pit on dirt, and that the size of this fire pit measures approx. 72" in circumference.

   Take your string and measure out roughly 16". You will each end of the string to the two screwdrivers. The distance between the two screwdrivers should be about 11.5"

   At the center of where you would like to build your wood burning fire pit, stab one of the screwdrivers into the ground. You want to make sure the tool is firmly in the ground, or you will need to have a buddy help you hold it steady.

   With the second screwdriver, pull the string taut and trace a clear circle.

4. 

   ~ Dig out the fire pit ~

   Dig down about four to five inches. Save any earthworms you run across, and cut and remove any roots.

5. 

   ~ Tap down the soil ~

   Use the back of the shovel to smooth out the base of the wood burning firepit.

6. 

   ~ Lay out your stones around the edge of the fire pit hole. ~

   Stagger the seams. There should be 10 stones per row.

   If you find the stones are wobbly, or uneven, remove the stones and scrape the ground to even it out and try again.

7. 

   ~ Pour the sand ~

   Bank the sand up along the sides and fill in the center of your fire pit.

   Now stand back and admire your handiwork!

8. Be safe and make your own spark arrestor to go over your newly built wood burning fire pit. See my article in the resources below.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear closed toe shoes and wear gloves!

• Total time spent making fire pit and spark arrestor (not including trip to home improvement center,) 3 hours.

• Always practice fire safety.

Resources

• FIre Science
• How to Build a Fire Pit Spark Arrestor