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Easy DIY Fire Pit

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.

Easy DIY fire pit

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.

 

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http://content.jwplatform.com/videos/8LJXNx03-xRxDRJBj.mp4

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Filed Under: DIY

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. M.e.Burke says

    July 12, 2015 at 6:57 pm

    Where 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)

    Reply
  2. Terri Betz says

    July 13, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    Great video! Loved it! You have great ideas! Wanted to tell you I pinned it and love your blog! Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  3. Dona says

    July 14, 2015 at 9:41 am

    Pinned! Man, if we could really move that fast…….imagine the projects we’d get done! Thanks for sharing! Dona

    Reply
  4. Tara says

    August 1, 2015 at 6:17 am

    Love your video tutorial! Especially the pause for the running back to the store for more supplies(always for any project we ever do) haha

    Reply
  5. Jean Mulrine says

    August 2, 2016 at 2:53 pm

    Can this be “built” on a cement patio?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      September 1, 2016 at 8:50 am

      Absolutely Jean! Have fun 🙂

      Reply
    • Bryan says

      November 1, 2016 at 12:46 am

      I 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.

      Reply
  6. Need Video says

    August 17, 2016 at 11:11 am

    Where’s the video?

    Reply
  7. Christine Cote says

    August 17, 2016 at 4:05 pm

    Gina, thanks for sharing your video I loved it. Can’t wait to try this in my yard.

    Reply
  8. Dee Merman says

    October 9, 2016 at 6:31 am

    I’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!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      October 9, 2016 at 11:28 am

      Go for it Dee!! Perfect time of year to enjoy it 🙂 Good luck!

      Reply
  9. Bryan says

    November 1, 2016 at 12:49 am

    Loved 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.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      November 1, 2016 at 10:49 am

      Good to know, thanks Bryan!

      Reply
  10. Ivanka Moris says

    February 16, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    The video is awesome but why so much ads?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      February 17, 2017 at 7:50 am

      Thanks Ivanka 🙂 The ads help fund my site as it takes a lot of money to run it.

      Reply
  11. Anna says

    April 11, 2017 at 9:32 pm

    Love 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

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      April 13, 2017 at 12:05 pm

      Hi 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!

      Reply
  12. Spencer C. says

    May 5, 2017 at 8:41 am

    What an awesome time lapse video, and the finished fire pit looks great, awesome job!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      May 7, 2017 at 12:22 pm

      Thanks so much Spencer! It was super easy and we love it!!

      Reply
  13. Dash says

    May 30, 2017 at 6:55 am

    I made this yesterday turned out amazing thanks so much for this share

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      May 30, 2017 at 8:06 am

      I’m so glad you made it Dash and hope you enjoy yours as much as we do ours!

      Reply
  14. Kate says

    June 4, 2017 at 9:52 pm

    You mention a “fire box insert”. Is this the same as a “fire pit insert”?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      June 7, 2017 at 9:01 am

      Yes, sorry Kate typo 🙂 Fire pit insert 🙂 Thanks so much!

      Reply
  15. Edgar VanLieshout says

    June 21, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    If you put down lava rock inside, how do you clean out the ashes?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      June 22, 2017 at 1:05 pm

      We’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!!

      Reply
      • whitney says

        November 8, 2018 at 10:02 am

        How much lava rock was needed? thanks!

        Reply
        • Gina Luker says

          November 12, 2018 at 3:26 pm

          We used 42 stones 🙂

          Reply
  16. Concetta says

    June 22, 2017 at 1:00 pm

    thanks 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.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      June 22, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      Thanks so much Concetta! The 5 ft is from the outside of the stones. Good luck!

      Reply
  17. Tracey says

    July 1, 2017 at 8:49 pm

    I 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?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      July 3, 2017 at 3:32 pm

      I think so Tracey, then it is level and you can fit the stones it tightly and level 🙂

      Reply
  18. Karen W says

    December 28, 2017 at 11:59 am

    Could you give an approximate price for all the materials? Love it!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      December 28, 2017 at 1:43 pm

      I think the whole project was less than $100.00, so worth it!!

      Reply
      • Karen W says

        December 28, 2017 at 4:54 pm

        awesome-thank you Gina!

        Reply
  19. Gualberto Bezares says

    April 9, 2018 at 3:55 pm

    How many pounds of Lava Rocks did you use?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      April 10, 2018 at 9:56 am

      We used 3 bags Gualberto 🙂

      Reply
      • whitney says

        November 8, 2018 at 10:03 am

        what size bags?

        Reply
        • Gina Luker says

          November 12, 2018 at 3:25 pm

          I 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 🙂

          Reply
  20. Heidi says

    April 27, 2018 at 10:12 am

    I 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.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      April 27, 2018 at 12:22 pm

      Sure Heidi, I would be honored 🙂

      Reply
  21. Cassie says

    May 16, 2018 at 5:52 pm

    What was the total cost for the project?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      May 17, 2018 at 2:40 pm

      It came in just under $100.00 Cassie 🙂

      Reply
  22. Tony Celli says

    September 2, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    How do you clean the ash out of the lava rock

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      September 3, 2018 at 11:01 am

      If 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.

      Reply
  23. Ermelinda says

    February 2, 2019 at 11:47 pm

    Thanks for finally talking about >Fire Pit Project (you can do in one hour!) <Liked it!

    Reply
  24. safedoom says

    April 7, 2019 at 11:00 am

    This is an awesome project for me and my kids next holiday!
    We always look for outdoor activities.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      April 8, 2019 at 10:51 am

      My pleasure, good luck!

      Reply
  25. Kathy says

    May 2, 2019 at 3:44 pm

    Do 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

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      May 3, 2019 at 9:04 am

      We did the same amount Kathy, good luck!

      Reply
  26. nicole says

    May 19, 2019 at 7:01 pm

    Hi! 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?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      May 20, 2019 at 8:49 am

      Hey 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!

      Reply
  27. Kiera says

    September 5, 2019 at 7:53 pm

    Do you have to add wood …how do the lave rocks burn?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      September 6, 2019 at 9:33 am

      You need to burn wood, the lava rocks are there to absorb the heat and protect the ground 🙂

      Reply
  28. Kayla says

    April 4, 2020 at 10:35 am

    Are 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.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      April 6, 2020 at 10:13 am

      We use it for family fires only and have never had a problem 🙂

      Reply
  29. Jane says

    August 6, 2020 at 6:15 am

    I 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?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      August 6, 2020 at 11:20 am

      I think that sounds like a great idea Jane, good luck 🙂

      Reply
  30. Andrew says

    September 10, 2020 at 3:14 am

    Thanks for sharing your video Gina. I loved it. finished fire pit looks really amazing. How much it cost?

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      September 10, 2020 at 12:47 pm

      Thank you, it cost about $100.00 🙂

      Reply

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ARE YOU A FARMHOUSE FAN?
Get instant access to this free guide to The Best Sources for a Farmhouse Style Home on a Budget!
YOUR NAME:
YOUR EMAIL:
_____________