Today’s guide features simple DIY steps for How to Build an In-Ground Fire Pit. Fire Pits are a great addition to backyards, enhancing outdoor entertainment and creating a warmer place to relax as the nights get colder.
While it may seem like a big project – learning how to build a DIY fire pit is surprisingly fast, affordable, and easy for anyone with basic home improvement skills.
Today, you’ll learn how to build a fire pit cheaply and get it done quickly. We’ll also show you some great fire pit ideas and accessories to help you make the best backyard fire pit design for your home.
How to Build Fire Pit (With Concrete Pavers):
- Purchase a metal Fire Pit Ring – This will determine the Size & Configuration of the Fire pit
- Dig a hole by using a stake, string, and a can of spray paint (like in the video below).
- Remove the Sod
- Level the dirt, then add “paver mix,” and level out the entire circle
- Surround the hole with a single ring of pavers. Using concrete pavers for fire pits will allow you to make a cheap and straightforward fire pit – you can build quickly.
- Stagger the Second Course above the First Course – But leave it loose.
- If you need to Cut a Paver Stone for Either Course, here is a How Patio Pavers Guide.
- Once you have the Loose Second course in place – Remove three pavers at a time and Bond them in place with Concrete Adhesive (Use a large Caulk Gun)
- Repeat Step 7 For your Third Course (Row).
- Add a Metal Fire Pit Ring of your choice
- Add Lava Rock to the Bottom, and you’re done!
Tip: When setting Your Concrete pavers, place them about 4-6″ inside of your Paver Mix ring. This will allow you to use weed killer or a string trimmer against the pavers, vs. having grass growing against the fire pit and dealing with grass or weeds when using your lawn mower.
Video: How to Build a Fire Pit with a “Fire Ring Kit”
“Concrete Paver” Fire Pit:
The round concrete paver fire pit is one of the Easiest and least expensive fire pits to build yourself.
You can start with this Easy-to-build fire pit once you pick your spot and know how deep you want the hole.
Note: Concrete Paver sizes used for fire pits are generally about 4″ wide x 8″ long and 1 3/4 Thick – but they can vary according to the look you want and what your building supply store offers.
Other Types of Fire Pits to Consider:
One of the advantages of building a fire pit – is individual creativity – You get to choose the type of fire pit that best suits your yard. Do you want to build a Round, Square, or Rectangular fire pit? Should it be above-ground or flush to the ground?
Pick your design, the number of people you want to accommodate, and maybe most importantly, your fire pit design budget. Get creative – and build the fire pit that checks all your boxes!
“The Round Fire Pit” [Above Ground]
The Concrete Paver fire pit design is one of the simplest types you can build. It looks great on a concrete patio or lawn.
“Ground Level Fire Pit”
Another option, if you want to know how to build a fire pit cheaply, is to line your hole with bricks and small stones. This kind of fire pit won’t have any structure above the ground but will instead have its top row of blocks flush at ground level.
While not as attractive as other fire pit options, a flush-to-the-ground fire pit will work perfectly well and can be built cheaply.
“Natural Stone Fire Pit”
For a more rustic-looking fire pit, use flat natural stones to create a fire ring. Due to the irregular-shaped stones, this approach works best for a larger pit, so plan on creating a circle of at least 3 feet in diameter.
After the fire pit hole has been dug out, stack the stones around the perimeter. While you could stop with One Tier, this fire pit design is way more eye-catching if you add a few layers, making it two to three tiers high.
When you finish building this simple fire pit design, you’ll be amazed by how much natural beauty it will add to any backyard.
Fire Pit with “Matching Patio Pavers”
While all of these fire pit ideas are fine, incorporating them into a larger fire pit area can add luster and appeal to any of them.
If you’re good at laying down paving stones, brick, or gravel, you can create a patio area to surround your fire pit and give your guests a place to sit while they enjoy a roaring fire.
Building a paved area around your fire pit can make even the most inexpensive fire pit look terrific.
An essential part of adding a paver patio surround is picking the pavers that match the fire pit you want. For example, you likely wouldn’t want to use a patio paver of rectangular pavers built around a natural stone fire pit, as the two materials would clash.
Consider using a concrete patio paver (smooth or interlocking edgers) from a supply store that also has the same color as the fire pit pavers (with rough edges)
Two fine examples of matching fire pit and patio pavers together
How to Add Feature Wall To Fire Pit:
Build a perimeter wall that partially encircles a fire pit area to add visual interest and additional seating options.
This feature wall makes a great backdrop and built-in bench for seating and will highlight the view of your firepit from the rest of your yard. Just check out these great ideas below.
Outdoor Fire Pit Accessories:
1). Fire Pit Rings
Some folks wonder how to make a fire in a fire pit. We can confirm whether you plan to build a Square or Circular fire pit – nothing makes building a fire faster than using a Metal Fire Pit Ring.
A Fire Pit Ring can be purchased online or at any major home improvement store. It replaces lining the inside of your fire pit with thin concrete pavers. You already have the fire pit paver walls built—why line them with “more pavers?”
Fire Pit Rings, available at Amazon in Galvanized Steel or Black Painted Steel, will undoubtedly speed up your fire pit construction time.
Dig the hole, line the bottom with a paver base, drop in the fire ring, add a tier or two of concrete pavers around the border – and that’s it – you’re done!
Trust us—if you’re building a fire pit with pavers, the simplest way is to use a fire pit ring—and by the way, clean-up is “WAY” easier.
2). Fire Pit Patio Furniture
A final consideration for creating a complete fire pit area is to choose patio furniture that fits it well. Remember your fire pit’s style when picking your furniture out.
When buying patio furniture, a classic or Rustic table usually pairs best with a round fire pit made of natural stone. In contrast, modern furniture provides a more “high-end” look for square fire pits built of sleeker concrete pavers.
More Outdoor Fire Pit Options:
“Portable Fire Pits”
While having a wood fire pit is great, it’s not ideal for everyone.
Some may not be willing or able to dig a large hole in the backyard and build a fire pit from scratch.
We get it. A portable fire pit may be your best answer if you want to remove the shovel and have a fire pit without digging the hole.
You can buy many portable fire pits, including wood-fired and propane-powered models, which can also be used as heaters.
Our pick for the best “portable” Wood-Fired model at Amazon is the 24” “Landman Big Sky” Fire Pit.
The Best Portable Propane Gas fire pit is the “Outland Living” Gas Fire Pit. It is Perfect for Tailgating and Camping.
See the 10 Best Gas Fire Pit Tables – For those who prefer LP Propane gas fuel vs. Woodburning.
Do It Yourself (DIY) Fire Pit Hacks:
If you prefer to stick with the Do It Yourself fire pit idea, you can make your portable fire pit from any suitable metal containers you have on hand or buy them inexpensively.
Old washing machine drums, car rims, and shopping carts are commonly used materials. Generally, all you’ll have to do to turn a metal object into a fire pit is drill holes to allow for airflow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How “Deep” Should I Build a Fire Pit?
A: As a rule, your fire pit should be at least six inches below ground level, but you can certainly go deeper if you want to build a larger fire pit.
In learning how to build a fire pit on the ground, you also need to know how deep the hole for your in-ground fire pit is.
Avoid digging a fire pit hole deeper than 18 – 24” since a fire too far underground will not allow enough oxygen to help the fire burn.
You’ll also lose some of the visual effects of the flames – if you bury the fire too deep in the ground.
Q: Should I Line the Fire Pit Hole With Sand?
A: In most cases, it’s a good idea to line the hole of a fire pit with an actual “paver base.” The paver base is a crushed stone found at any home improvement store and is perfect for firepits.
This material helps contain the fire, radiates the heat more effectively than sand, and prevents root fires from occurring.
Q: Should I use a Fire Pit Ring for My Fire Pit?
A: We highly recommend using a galvanized Fire Pit Ring when building an above-ground fire pit. You can also install a Black metal fire pit ring, which we think looks more attractive—but they are painted, not galvanized.
- The ring size and configuration (Round or Square) will determine the size of the fire pit.
- The clean-up of ash is much simpler
- Protects against fire pit paver damage
- Clean and attractive, Finished Appearance.
Conclusion
As you can see, many options exist for Backyard fire pit designs.
Now that you know how to build an inground fire pit, you can select a design you like, buy the materials, and dedicate an afternoon to construction.
Before you know it, you’ll enjoy evenings with your friends and family gathered around the warm and beautiful fire pit you built for years to come!
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Additional Reading & Resources:
Best Tips For Fire Pit Safety – University of Utah
How to Build Regulation Corn Hole Boards – Besthomegear.com
Best Cordless Pole Saw for Removing Branches
How to Store a Gas Propane Tank Outside – WikiHow.com
Best Cordless Blower – Besthomegear.com
