How to Build a Stone Firepit
In addition to a being great place to grill a meal, a stone fire pit adds a focal point and can define a cozy area in your outdoor space. Select an area of your yard for a stone fire pit that does not have close bushes or overhanging tree branches. Plan the size of your stone fire pit so there is plenty of room for chairs and for walking around the fire pit. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stake
- String
- Landscape paint
- Shovel
- Rake
- Level
- Gravel
- Fire bricks
- Stone
- Mortar mix
- Trowel
- Wheelbarrow
Instructions
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1
Insert a stake in the center of the location for your stone fire pit.
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2
Tie a string to the stake. Tie the string loosely so it will rotate, rather than wrap around, the stake when moved.
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3
Tie a can of landscaping spray paint to the string at a point half as long as the width of the finished stone fire pit. Hold the can approximately 12 inches from the ground and spray while moving in a circle defined by the string, while maintaining tension to keep the string straight. This creates a circle on the ground.
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4
Dig a trench that is approximately six inches deep and eight inches across around the inner circumference of the circle, with the shovel.
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5
Lay a level in the trench. Use a rake to level the soil in the trench and on the ground around it. Start from the lowest portion and work all the way around.
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6
Fill the trench with four inches of crushed stone.
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7
Compact the stone with a hand tamper for a firm foundation. Lift the tamper up and let it drop as you move around the circle with the tamper.
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8
Level and fill as needed so the entire trench is a level circle. Scrape high areas with a small shovel and fill as needed. Re-tamp all areas that were shallow.
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9
Place fire bricks with the corners touching around the inside perimeter of the trench. Repeat in offset rows until you reach the desired height of the fire pit.
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10
Mix mortar in a wheelbarrow according to the package directions.
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Layer stones around the outside of the trench. Use the trowel to apply a layer of mixed mortar between each layer until the height of the stones is equal to the height of the fire bricks. Fill the space between the stones and the fire bricks with crushed stone or broken stones and layer with mortar mix.
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12
Place a layer of mortar mix after the final layer of stone. Use the level to level this layer of mortar mix all the way around the fire pit.
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Place capstones all the way around on the top of the stone circumference. Level each capstone into the mortar mix.
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Tips & Warnings
Clean off all tools while the mortar is still wet and easily removed.
Purchase a grill grate to make the most out of your stone fire pit.
Check with your local municipal office before installing the fire pit. A permit may be required for your area.
