I built the same as above. I added 8 12″ pieces of 2.5″ black iron pipe. I laid it inside the pit, 2 on each side, extended them outwards to the outside of the pit. I added a 6″ layer of brick chips outside the blocks so the pipes could “breath”. This also added a red color along the outside edge of the pit. Worked great.
I see a lot of DIY firepits, but no one ever shows how to clean it after several uses. How are all those ashes removed from those pretty little rocks that line the bottom?
What works for me is to use a small/hand gardening rake to get any pieces bigger than an inch or so then vacuum out the rest with a shop vac. If you have really small rocks or sand in the bottom, the vac might suck them up also.
Of course, wait until it has completely cooled off. (I usually just do it before the next use)
I built mine the same way except I used the bottom of an old kettle bbq instead of the fire ring. It makes cleaning so much easier – just lift the bbq out of the rocks, being careful not to dislodge any of the stones so it’ll fit back in place. Then I dump the ashes in my compost pile or around my garden. You can rinse the bbq out with the garden hose if you want. Then set the cleaned bbq back in it’s hole – it’s all clean & ready for your next firepit party.
I actually will use the metal fire pit that I have now to lay inside the structure that you see in the pictures.. That way I can clean it out really easy.
Love ur step by step pic an advice, thank you. Can anyonegive asvice as to where to find round or square fire rings. Have only seen kits for the whole pit.
OK, just how does the fire breathe??
I built the same as above. I added 8 12″ pieces of 2.5″ black iron pipe. I laid it inside the pit, 2 on each side, extended them outwards to the outside of the pit. I added a 6″ layer of brick chips outside the blocks so the pipes could “breath”. This also added a red color along the outside edge of the pit. Worked great.
I built something similar on my patio with some left over bricks but this is much better, nice article!
I see a lot of DIY firepits, but no one ever shows how to clean it after several uses. How are all those ashes removed from those pretty little rocks that line the bottom?
Its called a shovel…duh.
hahahaha stay in the house or get your husband/boyfriend/son or father to do it
What works for me is to use a small/hand gardening rake to get any pieces bigger than an inch or so then vacuum out the rest with a shop vac. If you have really small rocks or sand in the bottom, the vac might suck them up also.
Of course, wait until it has completely cooled off. (I usually just do it before the next use)
I built mine the same way except I used the bottom of an old kettle bbq instead of the fire ring. It makes cleaning so much easier – just lift the bbq out of the rocks, being careful not to dislodge any of the stones so it’ll fit back in place. Then I dump the ashes in my compost pile or around my garden. You can rinse the bbq out with the garden hose if you want. Then set the cleaned bbq back in it’s hole – it’s all clean & ready for your next firepit party.
Now THIS suggestion is the BEST. Just be sure you do use wood and not charcoal briquettes if you are adding ashes to compost/garden.
I actually will use the metal fire pit that I have now to lay inside the structure that you see in the pictures.. That way I can clean it out really easy.
Love ur step by step pic an advice, thank you. Can anyonegive asvice as to where to find round or square fire rings. Have only seen kits for the whole pit.
We bought our square ring insert at Lowes.
You could attend a scrapyard and get a semi rim for your fire ring they work great and are the right size usually
Isn’t a semi rim round? If so, how will that work for a square fire pit?
If the ash problem bothers you; put a gas ring in the pit with artificial logs. Will run of LPG or natural gas.
Nice bro, you’re the first guy on the post who wasn’t a totally sarcastic ass towards the lady. You actually gave a good answer. Kudos bro.