Okay, so I’ve been wanting to build a fire pit in my backyard for, like, forever. Finally got around to it this weekend, and I went with red fire pit bricks because they just look so classic. Here’s how the whole thing went down.
First, I gathered all my stuff. I already had a bunch of red fire pit bricks that I got from the local building materials recycling center. I also picked up some gravel and sand for the base. Tools-wise, I just used a shovel, a level, a tamper (you can rent these), and a rubber mallet. I also got string and some stakes and spray paint.
Laying the Foundation
The first important thing is finding a good spot. I picked a spot that was far from other plants and I also pay attention to the wind direction.
Next, I marked out the area for the fire pit. I wanted a circular pit, so I used the string and stakes method. I put one stake in the center, tied the string to it, and then used the spray paint to mark a circle while I walk. I think it was about four feet across – plenty big enough.
Then came the digging. I dug out the circle about six inches deep. This is to make room for the gravel and sand base, which helps with drainage and keeps the fire pit stable.
I dumped a layer of gravel into the hole, maybe about four inches, and tamped it down real good. Then I added a layer of sand, about two inches, and tamped that down too. I used the level to make sure everything was nice and even.
Building the Walls
Now for the fun part! I started laying the bricks around the edge of the circle, on top of the sand. I placed the bricks close together, but I know some people prefer to insert more bricks in the middle.
For the second layer, I staggered the bricks, like you do when you’re building a regular wall. This makes it stronger. I just kept adding layers, checking with the level every so often, until the fire pit was the height I wanted. Mine ended up being about three layers high, which felt right.
Finishing Touches
Once the bricks were all laid, I just used my hands to firmly put pressure on each brick to ensure it was stable and ready for a fire.
And that’s it! It was actually easier than I thought it would be. It took a good chunk of the weekend, but totally worth it. Now I’ve got a sweet spot to roast marshmallows and hang out with friends. The red bricks look awesome, especially when the fire’s going. Super happy with how it turned out!
