Okay, so I’ve always wanted a fire pit in my backyard. You know, somewhere to chill with friends, roast marshmallows, and just enjoy those cool evenings. I finally decided to stop dreaming and start doing. My chosen project? A classic brick fire pit. Here’s how it all went down.
Planning and Prep Work
First things first, I had to figure out where this thing was going to go. I picked a spot that was far enough from the house, trees, and anything else that could catch fire. Safety first, people!
Then, I marked out a circle.I used a stake in the center and a string with spray paint to get a perfect * it bigger than you think, because once those bricks are down, it’ll seem smaller.
- I gather my tools.I grabbing a shovel, a level, a tamper, some string, stakes, and of course, the bricks. I went with regular old red bricks.
Digging the Foundation
Next, I dug. I remove the grass and dirt.I made a shallow pit.I am not want to dig deep,just enough to get a good, solid base.
I toss some gravel into the hole and used the tamper to really pack it down. This is important because it helps with drainage and keeps the fire pit from sinking over * then make it Level,I check it with my level to make sure it’s all even.
Laying the Bricks
Now for the fun part – laying the bricks! I started with the first layer, placing them around the circle.I didn’t use any mortar. I just wanted a simple, rustic look. So, I butted them up close to each other.
I used a level to Check my first layer is level as it is the *, I started the second layer, staggering the bricks. You know, like a brick wall. This makes the whole thing stronger.I keep working my way up, layer by layer.I did three layers.
Finishing Touches
Once all the bricks were in place, I stand back and admire it.
Not bad, right?I fill the bottom with some more gravel. This help the fire breathe and makes cleaning up the ashes easier later * that is it,I did it!
The whole thing took me a weekend.I was sweaty, tired, and my back ached a bit, but it was totally worth * first time I light a fire in it and sit back with a beer and my friends is pretty awesome.
If I can do it, you can too!