How to Build a Backyard Fire Pit (2024)

By Alison Cooper

Published Sep 14, 2023

Create a focal point in your backyard and enjoy hosting your friends and family around the fire!

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Materials Needed

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You will need some specific materials to build a backyard fire pit.

Shovel
Rake
String
Layout paint
Stake
Level
Gravel or sand
Stones or bricks
Mortar
Notched trowel
Metal fire pit ring (optional)
Spark screen (optional)

Fire Safety

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Before you start building your outdoor fire pit, ensure you're allowed to build one in your backyard. Outdoor fire rules and regulations vary from place to place. Go to your city or state website to determine if you can build a fire pit in your area.

When it comes to fire, being safe and cautious is so essential! Install your fire pit in a wide open space far from your home and any garages, sheds, decks, or other structures. Fire pits should ideally be at least 20 to 25 feet away from structures or objects like bushes, trees, fences, clotheslines, and electrical wires. If you have a smaller backyard or space, leave at least 10 feet of space around the pit. For extra safety, install a spark screen over the pit when used. Spark screens are made of a mesh material and placed on top of fire pits to contain sparks or embers. You can purchase them at most hardware stores.

How to Build a Backyard Fire Pit

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Now that you know proper fire safety, it's time to start building your fire pit! Learn the step-by-step instructions on how to assemble your backyard fire pit.

Step 1 - Choose Your Stones or Bricks

Start by choosing what type of stones or bricks you like. The best stones are granite, marble, slate, limestone, or fire-resistant bricks to contain the flames and heat. These hard materials are long-lasting, durable, heat-resistant, and less likely to absorb any water. Other stones or bricks that are more porous and absorb water are more likely to crack or explode under pressure.

You can also use natural stones; however, you should then install a metal fire pit ring, too. Natural stones work better as an accent wall around your fire pit, with lower heat resistance than other stones or bricks. Installing a fire pit ring protects the stones, ensuring they last for years and years.

Step 2 - Plan and Measure Out Your Fire Pit Ring

Next, plan and measure out your space. Remember, fire pits should be at least 10 to 25 feet away from all structures. Secure a stake into the middle of where you plan to place your fire pit and attach a piece of string. This will help you draw out a large circle shape around the fire pit, known as a safety area. Trace out the circle shape using the string to guide you and spray with layout paint.

Step 3 - Dig a hole and Lay Down Gravel

Remove the top layer of grass once you have your fire pit shape traced out. From there, start digging a hole for your fire pit. All fire pit holes should be 6 to 12 inches deep. The area where you plan to lay the stones should be at least 4 inches deep.

Step 4 - Fill the Area With Gravel

Begin filling the entire area with a layer of gravel, including both the fire pit and safety area. You can also apply sand to the bottom of your fire pit before laying down gravel. Using a rake, spread the gravel into a 2 ½ inches thick layer.

Step 5 - Install a Fire Pit Ring

If you use natural stones, install a metal fire pit ring before laying down the stones. Place the ring down and use a level to make sure it is on a flat surface. You can skip this step for all types of heat-resistant stones or bricks.

Step 6 - Build Your Stone or Brick Wall Around the Pit

Next, build your stone or brick wall in a circle shape around the pit. If you opted for a fire pit ring, install your stones around the ring. Lay down stones and apply mortar using a notched trowel. Mortar is a building material used to bond the stones or bricks together, eventually hardening into place after 24 hours. Continue laying down stones, building a wall that is several feet high. Use a level here to ensure the stones are laid flat.

Step 7 - Compact the Gravel

Using a vibratory plate compactor, compact the gravel in the safety area around your pit. This makes it more level for sitting purposes. At this point, you can add lava rocks around the outside of your fire pit or other rocks for a decorative touch. Placing rocks around the fire pit creates a barrier and also stops any weeds from growing over time.

Time to Roast Some Marshmallows!

Create a focal point in your yard, and enjoy hosting your friends and family around the fire! Always follow proper fire safety and build your fire pit far away from structures and overhanging trees or bushes. Before assembling, don't forget to check and ensure that you can have a fire pit in your area.

Do you have a backyard fire pit? How did you build yours? Leave a comment down below and share your experience. Also, share this article with others looking to build an at-home fire pit!

FAQs

What to put in the bottom of a wood burning fire pit? ›

What Do You Put in the Bottom of a Fire Pit? To create a safe, sturdy foundation for a fire pit, we use a gravel paver base. Other common materials used for the bottom of a fire pit are sand, lava stones, dirt, fire glass and concrete slabs.

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Can I just dig a hole for a fire pit? ›

A fire pit placed in the ground is an easy and cheap option. All of the work is done by you, and you get to decide how big it can be, in accordance with local laws, of course. All you have to do is dig the hole and design how the logs are placed in the pit.

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How do I level my backyard for a fire pit? ›

Add Paver Sand, Tamper and Check the Level

Using paver sand under a fire pit helps to level the ground and provide some stability for the bricks. I added about 1.5 inches to 2 inches of paver sand, water to make it more compact and then tampered it. You can't tamper more than about 2 inches at a time.

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Do you need to put sand in the bottom of a fire pit? ›

While it may seem that using sand is always necessary anytime there is a fire, this is not always the case. If you are using a firepit that includes holes in the bottom of the pit itself, it is unnecessary to place sand or any other alternative to create a layer of protection at the bottom of the pit.

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What to put under a fire pit on grass? ›

If you're into DIY, creating a gravel or sand bed under your fire pit can be a fun project that also saves your grass. These barriers not only protect your lawn from heat but also add a touch of style to your fire pit area.

Should I put anything in the bottom of my fire pit? ›

The main benefits of using sand are that it helps to soak up the heat and evenly distribute the heat throughout the fire pit. Sand is also great for protecting the actual metal bowl from the intense heat the fire can put out.

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What is the best base layer for a fire pit? ›

Add gravel on top of the compacted dirt to create a base for your fire pit. Pour a generous amount of crushed gravel paver base into the hole so your finished base will be approximately 5 inches thick.

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Do I need a metal ring in my fire pit? ›

For those planning for permanence, incorporating a fire pit ring can offer cost-effective protection, enhancing the longevity and appearance of the setup. Fire bricks, known for their ability to withstand high temperatures, may not require liners for protection.

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How deep should a firepit be? ›

In-ground fire pits are a permanent feature that can add a touch of rustic charm to any outdoor space. Let's look at how depth and diameter play a crucial role in designing these fire pits. Depth: A good depth for an in-ground fire pit is between 6 to 12 inches.

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Do you put landscape fabric under fire pit? ›

To help keep weeds down inside the area, lay down landscape fabric and secure it with landscape pins. If multiple pieces are needed, make sure they overlap by at least 3 inches. Fill the area with gravel.

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How high should a fire pit be off the ground? ›

For example, if you want to be able to prop your feet on it, go with one that is about 12 to 14 inches high. If you plan to use the edge of the fire pit as a sitting wall, you'll want it to be about 20 inches. You won't want to go much higher than that, or you won't really be able to enjoy the flames and warmth.

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What do you put in the bottom of an outdoor fire pit? ›

Sand is a common and affordable choice. Layering fine sand at the bottom of a fire pit forms an additional insulation layer, acting as a buffer between the wood or fuel and the bottom, preventing it from burning or scorching over time, thus reducing damage to the fire pit itself.

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What is the cheapest way to build a fire pit? ›

You can make a DIY fire pit using inexpensive or repurposed materials such as stone, bricks, pavers, concrete, and retaining wall blocks. Most the DIY fire pit ideas below cost between $50 and $150 (and a little elbow grease) to make.

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Do you need air holes in a fire pit? ›

Are holes in the base of a fire pit necessary? No. It may seem surprising, but your fire pit will work just as effectively with or without base holes. Base holes do allow a little more airflow and so offer a faster burn, but that also means you will burn through wood faster.

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Does a fire pit need a ring? ›

A fire pit ring is an essential component for anyone looking to enhance their outdoor area's safety and aesthetics. Typically made from steel, these rings serve as a protective barrier between the fire and its surroundings, such as bricks, pavers, or even the lawn.

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