How to: Fire Pits

An at-home fire pit gives you the ability to char-broil a variety of meals for yourself or for entertaining guests during a cookout. A fire pit isn't difficult to make and you need no previous knowledge of construction.With just a few ordinary materials you can transform your backyard into place of fun, food and outdoor recreation. You can host a luau block party or simply treat yourself to grilled meals, which are healthier than fried ones.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Shovel
• Mortar spatula
• Brick mortar
• Bricks
• Oven/grill grate
• Level

1. Dig out a round or square-shaped hole, depending on your preference, in an area in your backyard that is adequate for hosting a fire pit. Make the hole about 3 feet wide by 2 feet deep.

2. Line the bottom of the hole, covering up the dirt, with a series of bricks. Use bricks that are about 4 inches thick. Slather brick mortar between each brick to keep them together. This conceals the dirt floor under the pit and also serves as a way to retain heat while cooking. Use a level to determine that the bricks are even before your cement them in. If they are not, whittled away the ground beneath the offending bricks.

3. Line the inner wall of the fire pit with bricks, leaving the center of the pit open. Use the mortar spatula to slather on mortar between each brick to keep it in place. Lay a second layer by placing the first brick across the gap between two bricks and interweaving them all way around. Check every level for evenness and scrape off excess mortar.

4. Continue adding the inner wall of the pit until the top of the wall of bricks is about 4 inches above ground level, creating a small protruding wall.

5. Place the grill or oven grate you have selected directly on top of the homemade fire pit. Let the structure sit for at least 48 hours to ensure the mortar and bricks are dried and set adequately.

Tips & Warnings

• Fill the bottom of the pit with charcoal, briquettes or logs to create a pit fire.

• Press a sheet of metal at the bottom of your brick fire pit as an optional way to distribute heat, although it isn't necessary.

• Use proper campfire safety when using your homemade fire pit.

References

• "Primitive Living, Self Sufficiency and Survival Skills"Thomas J. Elpel;2003
• Firepit and Grilling Guru: BBQ Pits