DIY: Family Fire Pit Fun

Temperatures are heating up, summer break is just around the corner, and family fun is on the menu.  What can be more fun than creating and enjoying that perfect s’more with your family?  Building your own fire pit!  There are a few steps you need to think about before you begin:

Do you want the fire pit to be in the ground or above?
What materials do you want to use?  Materials you may already have or are you purchasing new?
What size pit will best suit your family?
Where is the perfect location for your family and friend gatherings?
What are your local building codes?  Does your pit need to be surrounded by sand or gravel?

Now you need to grab your tools and materials to dig the pit; which may include: shovel, tape measure, rebar stake, string,spray paint, level, masonry adhesive, gravel, river rock, steel liner, wedge shaped blocks, capstones, or other materials your family desires.  Then head to your fire pit site.

Building your fire pit in the ground:
You may have a steel liner that you are planning to use.  My husband and I used the inside rim of a tractor tire.  You can make an indent in the ground with your steel liner, or use the shovel to trace it before digging.  Once dug, place your steel liner into the ground.  You can either place dirt up to your steel liner, or you can cover the surrounding area with gravel and then place your pavers or step stones around your pit.  

Building your fire pit above ground:
Place your rebar stake in the ground, at the center of where your fire pit will be.  Tie the string around the rebar, half the circumference of your desired pit size and tie the string to a spray can.  Pull the string until taught and spray the circumference of your pit. If using wedge shaped blocks, position your first stone with the inside touching your spray painted circle.  Continue laying them snugly together until you have created your circle.  You can use a level on top of your first layer to be certain you are building on an even plain.  Continue with a second tier staggering the blocks, which will make your pit more stable.  You can layer gravel in the center of your pit, or bolt two pieces of steel liners together and place that within your wall.   Continuing with the steel liner, inserting, and place gravel between your wall and the steel liner with a shovel.  To finish, place a quarter size of the masonry adhesive on your second tier and place your capstones on top.  A fun idea to top off your family fire pit would be to level cement on your capstones and have your family imprint their hands on the stones, write your family name, or the date to engrave the memory.  Finish your pit with gravel around the ring.  

Cut some dry wood, grab matches, paper, grab lawn chairs, skewers, and the feast to celebrate your new fire pit and enjoy.

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