Ever wanted to build an outdoor fire pit? Who doesn’t? I can dream of s’mores and chilling on a cool fall evening with a beer and great friends…. yes, fire pit = awesome idea. Want to make one yourself? They’re pretty simple – and you only need a few things to create one yourself in about an hour.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Stones – I found mine at Lowe’s Home Improvement. They’re the same ones we used for our retaining walls on the front side of our home, so they match and stuff. We used 14 in each layer – adding up to 42 stones all together. I used a concrete based “stone” – but there is a chance of breaking when heated. Use firesafe stone or a fire box insert to prevent any damage.
Lava Rock – Also found at Lowe’s. We got this in the garden center close to the stones.
Shovel – we chose a flat tip to scrape up the grass easier.
Level – we used a 3 ft. one.
Ice Water – lots of hydration, yo! It’s not really for the fire pit – but after all that digging you’ll need it.
Directions:
Put one layer of stones in a circle where you want the pit to be. Use a shovel and mark the ground all the way around the stones, then remove them.
Shave all of the grass off the top, going under the roots. Make sure the area is level before replacing stones.
In alternating rows, place three layers of stones to create your pit.
Fill bottom with lava rock and you’re done. Enjoy your new outdoor fire pit!
It was a little confusing to show in photos, so I created a time lapse video on how to build a fire pit.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
M.e.Burke says
July 12, 2015 at 6:57 pmWhere I live in Illinois,we have to follow local “codes” for fire pits..sand is a MUST & we MUST have a COVER to contain fire..if need be. ( keeps cats from using it as a litter box too)
Terri Betz says
July 13, 2015 at 7:08 pmGreat video! Loved it! You have great ideas! Wanted to tell you I pinned it and love your blog! Thanks for sharing this!
Dona says
July 14, 2015 at 9:41 amPinned! Man, if we could really move that fast…….imagine the projects we’d get done! Thanks for sharing! Dona
Tara says
August 1, 2015 at 6:17 amLove your video tutorial! Especially the pause for the running back to the store for more supplies(always for any project we ever do) haha
Jean Mulrine says
August 2, 2016 at 2:53 pmCan this be “built” on a cement patio?
Gina Luker says
September 1, 2016 at 8:50 amAbsolutely Jean! Have fun 🙂
Bryan says
November 1, 2016 at 12:46 amI wouldn’t build this on a patio….damp concrete + fire = cracked (or even exploding) concrete. If you’re going to do this on a patio, a nice layer of fire brick as a base is strongly recommended.
Need Video says
August 17, 2016 at 11:11 amWhere’s the video?
Christine Cote says
August 17, 2016 at 4:05 pmGina, thanks for sharing your video I loved it. Can’t wait to try this in my yard.
Dee Merman says
October 9, 2016 at 6:31 amI’m building one. TODAY! I’ve been reading and reading about how it’s done, but your wonderful video gave me the oomph I needed, to just *%$# do it. Thank you, Gina!
Gina Luker says
October 9, 2016 at 11:28 amGo for it Dee!! Perfect time of year to enjoy it 🙂 Good luck!
Bryan says
November 1, 2016 at 12:49 amLoved your video…what I could see of it. youtube’s aggressive ad placement interacted badly with the scripts on your site. Net result, I got to see about 1/3 of your video interspersed with a black screen as youtube attempted to make me wish I had “premium” service and therefore no ads. Just a heads up.
Gina Luker says
November 1, 2016 at 10:49 amGood to know, thanks Bryan!
Ivanka Moris says
February 16, 2017 at 3:56 pmThe video is awesome but why so much ads?
Gina Luker says
February 17, 2017 at 7:50 amThanks Ivanka 🙂 The ads help fund my site as it takes a lot of money to run it.
Anna says
April 11, 2017 at 9:32 pmLove this firepit Gina. Especially how easy it appears to build compared to many out there I have a few questions:
1) Are you able to send a link to the exact stone you got at Lowe’s?
2) What diameter firepit did 14 of those stones per level result in?
3) You mention the possibility of the stone breaking when heated because it’s not fireproof. Have you had any breakage since you began using the pit?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Anna
Gina Luker says
April 13, 2017 at 12:05 pmHi Anna,
I’m so glad you like my fire pit post 🙂 It is super easy and provides so much fun family time! To answer your questions, I do not have a link to the stones we used, we just picked what looked appealing to us but I don’t recall the name. Our fire pit is 5 feet diameter. We have not had any issues with cracking from the heat and we have had it for a few years and used it plenty! I hope that helps 🙂 Good luck!
Spencer C. says
May 5, 2017 at 8:41 amWhat an awesome time lapse video, and the finished fire pit looks great, awesome job!
Gina Luker says
May 7, 2017 at 12:22 pmThanks so much Spencer! It was super easy and we love it!!
Dash says
May 30, 2017 at 6:55 amI made this yesterday turned out amazing thanks so much for this share
Gina Luker says
May 30, 2017 at 8:06 amI’m so glad you made it Dash and hope you enjoy yours as much as we do ours!
Kate says
June 4, 2017 at 9:52 pmYou mention a “fire box insert”. Is this the same as a “fire pit insert”?
Gina Luker says
June 7, 2017 at 9:01 amYes, sorry Kate typo 🙂 Fire pit insert 🙂 Thanks so much!
Edgar VanLieshout says
June 21, 2017 at 3:05 pmIf you put down lava rock inside, how do you clean out the ashes?
Gina Luker says
June 22, 2017 at 1:05 pmWe’ve never had a issue with ours, if there is a large amount we just scoop them into a shovel and dump them….always making sure they are completely out of coarse!!
whitney says
November 8, 2018 at 10:02 amHow much lava rock was needed? thanks!
Gina Luker says
November 12, 2018 at 3:26 pmWe used 42 stones 🙂
Concetta says
June 22, 2017 at 1:00 pmthanks so much for the video! you make it seem so easy to do!
one question though, you said your pit was 5 feet, is that from the outside of the stone or the inside?
thanks,
C.
Gina Luker says
June 22, 2017 at 1:03 pmThanks so much Concetta! The 5 ft is from the outside of the stones. Good luck!
Tracey says
July 1, 2017 at 8:49 pmI am wondering if it is nessesary to dig up the grass first? Is there a reason you didn’t just build on top of the grass?
Gina Luker says
July 3, 2017 at 3:32 pmI think so Tracey, then it is level and you can fit the stones it tightly and level 🙂
Karen W says
December 28, 2017 at 11:59 amCould you give an approximate price for all the materials? Love it!
Gina Luker says
December 28, 2017 at 1:43 pmI think the whole project was less than $100.00, so worth it!!
Karen W says
December 28, 2017 at 4:54 pmawesome-thank you Gina!
Gualberto Bezares says
April 9, 2018 at 3:55 pmHow many pounds of Lava Rocks did you use?
Gina Luker says
April 10, 2018 at 9:56 amWe used 3 bags Gualberto 🙂
whitney says
November 8, 2018 at 10:03 amwhat size bags?
Gina Luker says
November 12, 2018 at 3:25 pmI don’t remember the size Whitney but we used 3 bags total. I’m sure if you asked someone at Lowes they would be able to give you an idea what you need 🙂
Heidi says
April 27, 2018 at 10:12 amI love this fire pit project! I’m working on a post about DIY fire pits and was wondering if I could use one of your pictures on my site. (I would have just emailed you but I can’t find a contact form or email anywhere.) I would give you credit and include a link back to your post. Please let me know if that’s all right. If not, no big deal.
Gina Luker says
April 27, 2018 at 12:22 pmSure Heidi, I would be honored 🙂
Cassie says
May 16, 2018 at 5:52 pmWhat was the total cost for the project?
Gina Luker says
May 17, 2018 at 2:40 pmIt came in just under $100.00 Cassie 🙂
Tony Celli says
September 2, 2018 at 9:35 pmHow do you clean the ash out of the lava rock
Gina Luker says
September 3, 2018 at 11:01 amIf it gets too full just scoop it out with a small shovel into a bucket and dispose of it, we never really have had to do that though.
Ermelinda says
February 2, 2019 at 11:47 pmThanks for finally talking about >Fire Pit Project (you can do in one hour!) <Liked it!
safedoom says
April 7, 2019 at 11:00 amThis is an awesome project for me and my kids next holiday!
We always look for outdoor activities.
Thanks for sharing.
Gina Luker says
April 8, 2019 at 10:51 amMy pleasure, good luck!
Kathy says
May 2, 2019 at 3:44 pmDo you have the same amount of stones on the bottom layer and you do on the top or did you do I less in each row?
Thanks, Kathy
Gina Luker says
May 3, 2019 at 9:04 amWe did the same amount Kathy, good luck!
nicole says
May 19, 2019 at 7:01 pmHi! Have you had any issues with the stones shifting? I’d worry about someone putting their feet up when it’s cold or bumping it it when it’s not lit… Did you use any adhesive at all?
Gina Luker says
May 20, 2019 at 8:49 amHey Nicole, we have not had any issues with it at all. We did not use any adhesive but I am sure you could. Good luck!
Kiera says
September 5, 2019 at 7:53 pmDo you have to add wood …how do the lave rocks burn?
Gina Luker says
September 6, 2019 at 9:33 amYou need to burn wood, the lava rocks are there to absorb the heat and protect the ground 🙂
Kayla says
April 4, 2020 at 10:35 amAre you using the pit for family bonfires or do you also burn things(leaves, sticks, etc as well) I am also wondering about the stones bc we did the same thing you did and there seems to be mixed opinions on possible exploding, cracking bc the stones are not the fire safe stones?
Looking for some added insight we have kiddos and neighbors and we all have fire pits in the backyard but all different kinds and different stones used some none at all.
Gina Luker says
April 6, 2020 at 10:13 amWe use it for family fires only and have never had a problem 🙂
Jane says
August 6, 2020 at 6:15 amI am considering building one of these, it looks so easy and finish result is great. I think that during the spring and summer though When we wouldn’t need as a fire pit, I would drop in some flowering pots of annuals. I think that would be pretty. Any reason you can think that would not work?
Gina Luker says
August 6, 2020 at 11:20 amI think that sounds like a great idea Jane, good luck 🙂