Okay, here’s my blog post about building a fire pit with bricks, written from my personal experience and in a casual, conversational style:
So, I’ve always wanted a fire pit in my backyard. You know, somewhere to chill with friends, roast marshmallows, tell spooky stories… the whole deal. I looked at buying one, but they were either super expensive or kinda flimsy. Then I thought, “Hey, I can probably just build one myself!” And that’s exactly what I did.
Getting Started
First, I needed to figure out where to put it. I picked a spot that was far enough away from the house, trees, and anything else that could catch fire. Safety first, people! I marked out a circle about four feet in diameter. you can make it bigger or smaller based on your own backyard size.
Then came the digging. I removed the grass and topsoil within the circle, going down about six inches. This was to create a good, solid base for the fire pit. I also made sure the bottom of the hole was pretty level.
Laying the Foundation
Next, I poured in a few inches of gravel. I made sure the gravel I bought could bear high temperatures. This helps with drainage and keeps the fire pit from sinking into the ground over time. I tamped it down really well with a hand tamper – basically just smashing it until it was nice and compact.
Building the Walls
Now for the fun part: the bricks! I picked up a bunch of regular old red bricks from the home improvement store. Nothing fancy, just the standard kind. The amount of bricks I bought was decided based on the size that I previously planed.
I started laying the bricks around the edge of the circle, one by one. I didn’t use any mortar or anything – just stacked them carefully, making sure they were snug against each other. I did a dry run first, arranging the bricks without anything holding them together, just to make sure they’d fit nicely in a circle.
I built up the walls about three layers high. That seemed like a good height – tall enough to contain the fire, but not so tall that it would be hard to reach * can choose any height you feel proper.
Adding the Finishing Touches
Once the walls were done, I stepped back and admired my handiwork. It looked pretty good! But I decided to add a little extra something. I found some larger, flatter stones and placed them around the top edge of the fire pit. This gave it a more finished look and also provided a place to set drinks or snacks (when the fire’s not going, of course!).
First Burn!
Finally, it was time for the inaugural burn! I gathered some firewood, crumpled up some newspaper, and lit it up. It worked perfectly! The fire stayed contained within the brick walls, and the whole thing felt really sturdy.
Now,I gather some friends around my fire pit, and enjoy the time that truly belongs to us.
So, that’s how I built my fire pit. It was a pretty simple project, and it didn’t cost a fortune. If you’re thinking about adding a fire pit to your backyard, I definitely recommend giving it a try! Just remember to be safe and have fun!
