Build Your Own Fire Pit
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Build Your Own Fire Pit
Last week my husband solidified plans for us to host his coworkers at our house for a fire and grill-out this coming weekend. I love to host, but I immediately got a little nervous. Our fire pit is not big enough for the whole company to come over! The little metal stand style fire bowl just wouldn’t do. Of course instead I decided to upgrade. Learn how to build your own fire pit like I did…
See my old metal fire bowl in the background?
Begin by measuring at least 10 feet from any structure or building. The edge of my fire pit measured 11 feet away from the garage. You don’t want any accidental fires!
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Dig a round circle with your shovel measuring the diameter of your pit. For my fire pit, the interior diameter was about 3 feet so I just laid down a yard stick.
When you’re completely done digging and removing sod, it is time to level the area. You can work with the dirt, or you can pour sand as a base like I did. The fine grains of the sand helped me get a level surface. I smoothed over the whole thing using a 4″ x 4″ piece of lumber.
Getting the first layer of cement blocks level is extremely important. All the other layers will be based off the first one.
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Lay your cement blocks the correct distance apart to create a circle. I did not level each block, I just checked at the end across the whole first layer and adjusted as needed.
Now that you are done with the first layer, it is time to start building up the next ones!
I went 3 layers high and staggered the cement blocks for a beautiful look. You can apply heavy duty construction or cement adhesive at this point to make your fire pit very permanent.
I cannot wait to host the grill out and fire now! I think my husband’s coworkers will really enjoy sitting around our beautiful new fire pit.
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Let me know if you build your own fire pit based on my tutorial!
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Lovely! Where did you get the concrete blocks? Was it a kit?
Hi Katie! It wasn’t a kit necessarily, they sold them at a local stone company named Borgert. I found them on Facebook Marketplace actually because the company advertised their sale on there!
Very attractive fire pit. Thanks for the clear instruction….
Just a thought. You will want to leave an air hole or two. (or 3) if you want the fire to not burn out too quickly. It needs oxygen at the base of the fire to keep going. We have used a drill to add holes afterward at the bottom. Had we known earlier, we would have just stacked the stones a little differently.
Yes this is a good point! Adding air holes makes for a much more enjoyable fire.
I did it!! Took me about 3 hours. Looks great. I love your tutorial. Very easy Thx and cant wait to enjoy it tonight.
Where do you get these blocks for one dollar each?
I got them from a building concrete supplier in my town. They advertised in a Facebook ad I happened to click on that they had these pits on sale for so cheap! π
How many blocks did you use?
I think it was 60 if I remember.
How blocks did it take you to make this? I have not been able to figure out how many I would need to make something similar. Thank you in advance π
I used 63 blocks to make this three level fire pit, 21 blocks for each level. Good luck to you!
Melissa
What size liner did you use for the square fire pit? I checked the website link and they have two different sizes.
30-Inch dimensions: 30″ square inner, 36″ square outer x 10″ H; 26 lbs
36-Inch dimensions: 36″ square inner, 42″ square outer x 10″ H; 43 lbs
I’m so sorry I didn’t answer until now! I’m just seeing this! π I bought the 36″ liner.
Thanks,
Melissa
What are the dimensions of your blocks? I’m looking to build this for our fathers day gift and include a grill top! But trying to determine what blocks I need without spending a fortune. The box stores seem to only have retaining wall blocks at about 3.5″ high (each). Thanks!
Hi Amanda! These blocks were about 6″ tall and I got them from a building materials store. I don’t think they’re considered retaining wall blocks though. Perhaps look at fire pit kits from the big box stores. Do you have a Menards in your area, by chance? I remember seeing some there. Best of luck to you as you build your father’s day gift! ~ Melissa
Melissa our of the fire pits I have seen to DIY your seemed the easiest and the square looked so nice. I have a rick place would I need to take our ricks, level it then build. Thanks!
You’re welcome!
what size cinder blocks did you use for the square fire pit; 8, 10 or 12″? Thanks!
I apologize for only returning your comment now. I used the 8″ x 8″ x 16″ cinder blocks.
Hello! I know this article is a couple years old but wanted to let you know my husband and I used your video to make the square fire pit and we absolutely love it! Such an awesome idea and so cheap..so thank you!! βΊοΈ
Aw thank you!! I’m so glad!
Iβd love to recreate the square fire pit! I read in an earlier comment that you used the 36β liner and 8x8x16β blocks. With the inside of the square being 2 1/2 blocks wide, does the 36β liner fit? From the video it looks like it should be 40β square on the inside? Iβm confused!
Yes I can clarify! So the 36″ liner is the measurement of the square on the inside. You can see the liner has a significant lip on it and that is big enough to rest on the edge of the cement blocks. There is a couple inches of space between the liner 36″ square and the cement block 40″ square and that is good for heat dissipation! I hope that made sense! Xo – Melissa