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How to Build a Fire Pit

Enhance your yard with a contained campfire

Fire pits are campsite-like locations where friends and family can gather to enjoy the warmth of the fire, good conversation, a drink or two - even roast hot dogs and marshmallows over the open fire -- while savoring beautiful spring, summer, or fall days and evenings. Location is important - fire pits must be placed away from trees, structures, and underground wires and cables. Level ground is best, but you can work fire pit designs into slopes.

There are a variety of fire pits that are easy to build. There are stone, bonfire-type pits, temporary cinderblock or brick pits, and permanent stone or brick pits. It's easy to acquire the necessary materials -- if you don't mind a little dirt under your fingernails and sweat on your brow, your fire pit can be completed in as little as one day.

Basic building steps

Begin by driving a stake in the ground at the center of the pit; attach one end of a 1½-foot string to the stake and the other end to a large nail.

With the nail, mark a circle for the pit. Remove sod and dig 12 inches deep. At the center of this hole, dig a hole that is six to eight inches in diameter and 12 inches deep.

Fill both holes with pea gravel for drainage - gravel in the large hole should be four inches deep. Add three inches of sand to contain fires.

Place three rows of concrete blocks around the perimeter of the pit. Do not use adhesives or fillers to seal gaps - melting can cause dangerous fumes, and fillers decrease ventilation.

Fire pit safety

Some local codes prohibit open fires; check restrictions before building a fire pit. Only designated fire starters should be used in fire pits. Always pre-water surrounding grass, trees and shrubs to keep flying sparks from starting fires. Have a garden hose, bucket of water, and/or fire extinguisher handy whenever using your fire pit. Stack wood securely to avoid shifting that can release sparks and start fires.