Okay, so I’ve been wanting a fire table for, like, forever. But those things are expensive! So, I figured, “Hey, I can totally build one myself, right?” Turns out, yeah, kinda! It was a bit of a weekend project, but totally worth it. Here’s how it went down:
Gathering the Goods
First things first, I needed bricks. Lots of bricks. I didn’t want anything fancy, just your standard red clay bricks. I hit up a local hardware store and snagged a bunch – way cheaper than buying a pre-made fire table, let me tell you. I also grabbed some sand, some gravel, and a metal fire pit insert. The insert is key because you don’t want the fire directly on the bricks, it’ll crack them over time. I also got a simple grill grate, the one put above the fire pit, ’cause who doesn’t love some grilled food?
Laying the Foundation
I started by clearing a spot in my backyard. Made sure it was level-ish – didn’t want a leaning tower of fire, haha. Then I put down a layer of sand, maybe a few inches thick. This helps with drainage and keeps things stable. On top of the sand, I added a layer of gravel. Again, just a couple of inches, for extra support.
Building the Walls
Now for the fun part! I started laying the bricks in a circle, around where I wanted the fire pit to be. I didn’t use any mortar or anything – just stacked them dry. I figured this would make it easier to adjust things if I messed up (which, spoiler alert, I did a few times). I kept building up the layers, making sure to stagger the bricks like you see in walls, you know, for strength. It’s like building with giant LEGOs!
Important Tip: Leave some gaps between the bricks on the bottom layer. This is for airflow – fire needs oxygen, people!
Setting the Insert
Once I had the walls high enough, I carefully placed the metal fire pit insert inside. It fit pretty snugly, which was good. I made sure it was level and centered. If it’s all wonky, your fire will be wonky too, and nobody wants that.
Finishing Touches
I use a grill grate, and put it above the fire pit.
And that’s about it!
The First Burn
After letting everything settle for a day, I was ready for the first burn. I put some kindling and logs in the insert, lit it up, and bam! Instant fire table! It looked awesome, especially at night. The bricks got warm, but not too hot to touch, which was perfect. We roasted some marshmallows, had some drinks, and just enjoyed the ambiance.
Honestly, building this brick fire table was way easier than I thought it would be. And it saved me a ton of money. Plus, there’s something super satisfying about building something with your own two hands. If you’re thinking about getting a fire table, I totally recommend giving this DIY project a shot. Just be prepared to get a little dirty!
