How to Build Fire Pits With Screen Covers

Fires can get out of control without a fire pit screen cover.

Backyard fire pits allow you to enjoy the warmth of a bonfire in the comfort of your own yard and in the presence of family and friends. However, in order for the fire to be safe and for you to feel anxiety-free, your fire pit should contain a screen cover to prevent sparks from flying out of the pit. You can build your own fire pits and screen covers.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Chalk
• Sheet metal
• Bricks
• Masonry adhesive
• Screen cover
• Metal window screen
• Mesh
• Circular grill grate

1. Decide where you want the fire pit to be located in your yard. Keep it at least 5 feet away from your house, deck, trees or any inflammable objects.

2. Decide what size you want your fire pit to be, and draw this size on the ground with chalk. If you've bought a prefabricated screen cover, use it to decide how large to make the pit and to help you outline a perfect circle. If not, use the circular grill grate in the same way. This way, the circle will be perfectly sized to allow the screen to rest on the bricks and stay securely in place.

3. Cut your piece of sheet metal to match the size of your circle, and place it over the drawn out space. This will prevent the ground from burning and becoming blackened.

4. Outline this sheet metal with one layer of bricks, making sure they all connect and are all leveled. Apply masonry adhesive on the top of the first row of bricks, and then begin the next row of bricks, allowing each brick to overlap the seam of two bricks in the row beneath it.

5. Stack the bricks until they reach the height you wish your fire pit to be. For above ground pits like this, three rows of bricks is average.

6. Cover the fire pit with a circular grill grate, which could also function as a grill. Cover the top of the grill grate with a metal window screen or mesh, bending the ends under the grate to keep it in place. Purchasing a store-bought screen cover is always an option, too.

Tips & Warnings

• For a more permanent fire pit, apply a layer of concrete or gravel instead of the sheet metal.

• For a more secure and permanent fire pit, dig a hole or trench for the first row of bricks to be placed in.

References

• Firepit-And-Grilling-Guru: Build a Brick Fire Pit Yourself!
• ThisOldHouse: How to Build a Fire Pit
• DancingFire: Why Use a Fire Pit Safety Screen?