There is not a lot of work, but it involves a bunch of blocks of stones, so make sure you work out properly before you attempt this. According to where you decide to place it (directly on the ground or on the pavement), you will need:
• (optional) a shovel;
• a whole lot of stone blocks;
• a set of wall caps;
• decorative rocks;
• a fire ring;
• wood;
Start by marking out the location and size of your square. Then, starting at the corner, place the corner block. Next, you will have to cut a block at the three quarter length and put the cut-end against the corner block in order to create the actual corner of the pit. Use a square to align the blocks and make adjustments if necessary. Build out from the corner you just made in both directions, placing the blocks in the desired pattern. At the next corner, use the small block which you cut earlier to make the corner. Start the second layer in the same way, but alternating the colors of the blocks used. You could create your own custom pattern, if you wish. Finish the whole structure with wall caps. Place the first wall cap so it overhangs slightly with the long and short ends facing outside of the corner.
Place the other caps in an alternating pattern. Due to the shape of the caps, you will end up with some gaps on each side. Fill these later on with some freshly cut pieces of caps. You don’t need to glue all the blocks together. The raised rings you put on afterwards lock them in place. But securing the caps helps tie things together as well as keep the caps from moving if you want to sit on the wall. Use flexible concrete adhesive for this last step. Add decorative rock to the bottom (inside) of your pit. Place in the fire ring. Add some wood and start your dreamed of fire.
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.