DIY: Building a Fire Pit or Ring
As the weather gets cooler in the autumn months, it’s nice to have a way to still enjoy the outdoors comfortably. That’s why you should think about installing a fire pit or fire ring in your backyard! You can enjoy it with your family or have friends over to make s’mores. A fire pit or ring is a great piece to add to your space, visually and functionally. And, for all the aesthetic value that they will add to your home, they’re not actually too hard to do yourself! So today we’ll discuss the pros and cons of a fire ring vs a fire pit, and then we’ll walk you through the steps to build one yourself.
Fire Pit vs Fire Ring
So what’s the difference between a fire pit and a fire ring? The benefit of having a fire pit in your backyard is its durability and permanence. A fire pit is more secure and effective at holding in a fire’s heat, and it will last your family for a long time. The drawback of a fire pit is just the other side of the coin – it’s permanent. If you’re taking a camping trip and want to bring along your usual fire pit, you’re out of luck. Also, in making them yourself, fire pits are more work and more money. Not everyone is ready to commit to the investment and permanence of a fire pit, no matter how useful and pretty they can be.
A fire ring, on the other hand, has the opposite benefits and drawbacks. Fire rings are great because they’re portable! You can try it out in one spot then move it to another, you can put it away all summer when you won’t be using it, and it can come on your family camping trip with you! They’re less commitment in terms of location, and they’re less investment of your time and money in putting them together. However, fire rings do have their disadvantages too. Because they’re not permanent, they’re not as effective at holding in heat, and they’re not as secure and safe as fire pits.
So choosing between building a fire pit or a fire ring really comes down to your goal in building – are you looking to install a lasting feature in your backyard that will remain beautiful and functional for a long time, or are you just wanting to try it out and make some s’mores with friends and family in the colder months? Whichever way you choose, this project is doable and worth the work!
Before You Begin
Once you’ve decided whether you want a fire pit or a fire ring, it’s time to start preparing for your project. The actual building of a pit or ring is not too complicated, but, because you’re building something that will be holding fire, there are a few extra steps to take ahead of time to ensure that things stay safe. Here are three things to consider before starting!
Check Regulations
You don’t want to have to scrap your hard work if you find out halfway through your project that there are specific rules for how to keep fires in your area. So, before you start work, find out what your community’s guidelines are for fires on your property. Check with your town and your neighborhood or HOA to find out the rules that apply to your yard.
Keep Safety First
This goes without saying, but be safe with this project! Make sure that you keep a fire extinguisher close by so you can get to it quickly if there’s ever an issue, and check what source of water is nearest to the pit or ring.
Choose Your Location
Pick somewhere for your pit or ring that is away from flammable materials and has good clearance. Setting up too close to your house or in a spot that doesn’t have enough space could cause problems. HGTV says that a fire pit should be at least 15 feet away from any structures and should be on level ground.
Preparing to Build & Installing the Base
Once you’ve chosen your location and taken the necessary precautions, it’s time to get started on building your fire pit or ring. Before you start building, there are three steps to take as you begin. You’ll need to gather your materials, prep the site where you want to build, and then install the base for your pit or ring.
Gather Your Materials
For a fire ring, you’ll need a metal ring and stones or bricks. For a fire pit, you’ll need fire bricks or a fire pit kit. For both, you’ll need gravel and possibly sand as well, if you want. In terms of tools, this project requires a shovel, level, tape measure, and gloves.
Prep the Site
When prepping your selected site for building your fire pit or fire ring, start by clearing the area of any leaves or debris that might be there. Using your tape measure and some string or spray paint, mark the perimeter of where you want your ring or pit to be, and then dig down in that perimeter between 6 and 12 inches. Once that’s done, your spot is ready!
Install the Base
To install your base, pour down a layer of gravel and compact it by patting it down with the back of your shovel. If desired, you can also add a layer of sand to help with drainage. Now you’re ready to start building!
Installing the Rest
With your spot prepped and ready to go, it’s time for the assembly of your fire pit or fire ring. For a fire ring, simply place the ring on your selected site, ensure that it’s level, and then place your stones or bricks over the ring as desired to add that extra stability and aesthetic look! A fire pit is more time-consuming but not much more complicated. Start by laying your first layer around your marked perimeter and then use your level to ensure that each layer after that is still even.
Now for the finishing touches! Put some chairs out to start enjoying your work. For additional safety, add extra gravel around the outer edge of the base. And test out your new fire pit or ring before you start hosting with it to make sure everything is running smoothly.
That’s all for this post! If you enjoyed it, leave a comment sharing your favorite DIY projects that you’ve done! For other DIYs, home-improvement tips, and more, check out the rest of our blog or follow the links below.
