DIY Pea Gravel Fire Pit Patio | Julie Blanner (2024)

FAQs

Can you use pea gravel in a fire pit? ›

Add the Gravel

Pea gravel is great to add to a fire pit area because you don't have to be precise, it's comfortable to walk on, and it doesn't cost much per bag. Cover the entire weed block fabric with the pea gravel. Be sure that there is enough to cover the fabric without it showing through.

There are a couple of ways to create a pea gravel patio: using the bare ground as a base or over a base layer of crushed stone. If you have loose or sandy soil, you'll need a base layer. If your area has hard clay soil, it may support the pea gravel on its own.

Crushed limestone is a popular choice for gravel fire pit areas due to its excellent drainage properties. This type of gravel compacts well, providing a solid base for seating and heavy items. It is often used as the primary material for the fire pit patio itself, creating a sturdy and functional surface.

Our DIY pea gravel fire pit patio is circular, and 16 feet in diameter. That's the perfect size for eight Adirondack chairs. Our Pea Gravel is called Sand Pebbles and is linked in the source section at the end of this post. We used 75 0.5 cubic feet bags for this project.

Fill in the fire pit with pea gravel, or other rock

It's about 3 inches deep.

They're large and some have a helpful bevel to them, but they're not made for high heat. They will crack and spall over time. If you make a somewhat larger fire pit with the pavers, but then make a lining of one layer of fire bricks on the inside of the pavers, the pavers will last a lot longer.

Natural stone is most commonly used for permanent fire pit installations. This material features a naturally textured finish and is also highly durable throughout almost any weather conditions. You'll typically find both wood-burning and gas stone fire pits.

Limestone is strong enough to withstand years of exposure to fire and absorbs heat moderately, making a comfortable fire pit to sit around for extended periods of time.

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.

Learn how to create a fire pit using paver bricks, pea gravel and a metal ring You can do it in an afternoon, with a little elbow grease and less than $100. This simple fire pit design can be completed in an afternoon for less than $100. And, you'll still have money and time left to host friends for a bonfire and beer.

How much does a bulk bag of pea gravel cover? ›

Based on our 20mm sized stones, 1 bulk bag of gravel will cover approximately 12 sqm at 50mm depth for paths and driveways. Alternatively, 1 bulk bag will cover approximately 16 sqm at 30mm depth. Our 25kg Polybags will roughly cover 0.4sqm.

What rocks to avoid? To mitigate this risk, it's crucial to know which rocks to avoid. Porous rocks, including limestone, sandstone, pumice, and shale, are notorious for absorbing water and should be avoided in your campfire. River rocks, often rounded from years of water erosion, are remarkably deceptive.

The best materials to put in the bottom of your fire pit are gravel, paver base or fire bricks.

Natural lava rocks and fire-proof sand are excellent base layers for a fire pit.

There are many ways landscaping stones can be used in outside spaces. If you have a fire pit on your property, these attractive hardscaping materials can certainly make an appealing and functional addition to this particular spot.