| There are many alternatives to creating a | | | | or think of other creative ways of building |
| fire pit other than buying a firepit model | | | | your pit; magazines or the internet are a |
| that is ready-made and requires some simple | | | | great source for tips and ideas. When |
| assembly. If you are a do-it-yourselfer | | | | considering a design youll want to keep with |
| looking to design and build your own fire pit | | | | the look of your home and other existing |
| you don\'t need a fancy set of blueprints, | | | | structures. If you dont have time to dream up |
| just a vision of the type of pit you are | | | | design ideas or if you had something more |
| looking to create. What does it take these | | | | complex in mind, you can order a set of plans |
| days to build fire pits for outdoor campfires | | | | online complete with material list, for only |
| and barbequing? The answer is not a lot. In | | | | a small fee. |
| terms of cost, building a wood burning pit | | | | |
| can cost next to nothing and require no more | | | | Once you have finished building, be sure to |
| than a few hours of physical labor | | | | keep safety in mind. An in ground hearth is a |
| (especially if you have materials such as | | | | permanent outdoor fixture. You may want to |
| rock or brick on hand) to see the fireplace | | | | keep it covered when not in use; you can find |
| complete. | | | | inexpensive scrap metal and have it cut to |
| | | | fit. Another option is to buy a basic fire |
| First pick a safe area for your fire pit, | | | | pit which should include cover, spark screen, |
| away from any structures that can catch fire | | | | log grill and such and then build your stone |
| and definitely out of the way of backyard | | | | or brick wall around it (see ). This limits |
| traffic. Be sure to check with you local fire | | | | the chances of children or pets accidentally |
| department for information and codes. You | | | | running into an exposed fire pit and getting |
| need to know what the rules are before | | | | burned. |
| getting started. Getting going will entail | | | | |
| quarrying up some fieldstones or brick to | | | | If you want to build a gas fire pit, shop for |
| line the inside dirt walls of the pit once | | | | either gas fire logs with or without embers |
| you\'ve dug the hole. Not to get ahead of | | | | or choose a simple metal fire ring: both |
| ourselves here, but you will need a good old | | | | ideas will allow you to design the housing |
| shovel and some back strength to excavate | | | | for the fireplace and come up with your own |
| soil. Position your fieldstone or brick | | | | plan. |
| around the holes perimeter and extend these | | | | |
| materials above ground. The purpose of | | | | Whatever you decide, either to build your own |
| installing these materials is to keep wind | | | | or buy one manufactured, a fire pit is a |
| down and the soil away from the fire. | | | | beneficial addition to your outdoor space, |
| | | | allowing you to grill outdoors or to stay |
| You can also build a stucco pit above ground | | | | warm on cool evenings. |