How to Build a Fire Pit | Lowe's (2024)

FAQs

How do you build a fire pit step by step? ›

It is imperative to avoid overloading your fire pit. Thus, you should start with a small fire and add more wood gradually. Too much wood all at once can smother the flames. At the same time, you need to remove ashes from previous fires to maintain good airflow, which helps the new fire burn efficiently.

Most fire pits need air vents to ensure the fire has enough ventilation to continue burning. Smokeless fire pits can be built without an air vent, but it is important to ensure that the fire pit has proper ventilation to prevent the build-up of carbon monoxide and other certain materials.

A good depth for an in-ground fire pit is between 6 to 12 inches.

First, lay your thickest logs in a row in your firepit. Add another row of thick logs to build the heart of the fire, then a row or two of thinner logs. Add a kindling stack built in the same way, then top with firelighters and light with a match. Trust me, this works brilliantly with high quality firewood.

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.

A good rule of thumb is to make an above-ground fire pit 12-14 inches tall. This is a few inches shorter than standard patio furniture seat height. If you want to be able to sit on the edge of the pit itself go a bit higher, 18-20 inches will be comfortable.

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.

What makes a good fire pit? ›

The material of your outdoor fire pit informs not only its look and style but also its longevity, maintenance, and price. Heavier materials like concrete are potentially heavy, making them ideal for more permanent fixtures, while materials like cor-ten steel take on a patina over time.

What do you put in the bottom of a fire pit? You'll want to start with a layer of sand at the bottom of the pit, and then top the sand with gravel, lava rocks, fire pit glass, paving stones or even bricks for your fire pit. Alternatively, you can simply use dirt.

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.

Use bricks and pavers as a fire pit mat.

Putting concrete pavers under your fire pit will protect your grass. If you're using a fire pit on grass, it's important to use a fire pit mat. This will help protect grass from the extreme heat of the fire pit.