Backyard Blaze: Build Your Own Fire Pit

Having a backyard fire pit gives you a new way to entertain friends and family, and makes a lovely addition to your landscaping. Learn how to build your own fire pit over the course of a weekend, without needing the help of a professional! Before you start, check your local bylaws for any restrictions on fire pits.

The cost of building a fire pit is roughly $500-600, and it will take one or two days to complete the project. First, select a spot in your backyard that is relatively flat, open, and at least 25 feet away from any structures that could catch fire. Avoid a spot with low-hanging tree branches overhead. Now you’re ready to begin outlining your fire pit. We recommend building it in a circular format. The biggest tasks involved with building a fire pit are digging the pit, filling it with sand and gravel, and building the surrounding retaining wall.

After your pit is complete, make sure to wait at least two days before using it, to ensure that all of the materials are set and dry. Only minimal maintenance is required after that, but make sure to brush up on your fire safety tips. If it’s a wood-burning fire pit, keep water and sand on hand in case the flames get too large. Never use water on a gas-burning fire though; turn the gas supply off if the flames rise too high. Wait two days after a fire before disposing of embers, as they can smolder for up to 24 hours after a fire.