Okay, here is my sharing about how to make a fire pit with bricks:
Man, building a fire pit from bricks was quite the weekend project, but totally worth it. I’ve always wanted a cozy spot in my backyard to chill with friends, and a fire pit seemed like the perfect addition. So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. Here’s how it went down.
First things first, I had to pick a spot. I chose a nice, level area in my backyard, far enough from the house and trees to keep things safe. I marked a circle about 60cm across for the pit’s size. Then, using a shovel, I dug out the area. It was a bit of a workout, digging down about a brick’s depth, but hey, who needs a gym when you’ve got a DIY project, right?
Next up was laying the foundation. I dumped a bunch of gravel into the pit for drainage. I am not sure how deep is that but I think at least several inches. This is important, you don’t want water pooling in your fire pit. After that, it was time to play with some bricks.
Now, about the bricks. I learned that not just any bricks will do. You need fire bricks, also known as refractory bricks. Regular bricks can crack under high heat, and nobody wants that mess. Fire bricks are tougher, thicker, and made for this kind of thing. I got mine from a local brickyard, and they weren’t too pricey.
Before laying the bricks, I gave them a good spray with the hose to clean off any dust. Then, I mixed up some refractory mortar. This stuff is like cement but can handle the heat. I started laying the bricks in a circle, using the mortar to stick them together. I made sure to leave some gaps between the bricks in the middle layers for air to flow through. You need that oxygen for a good fire, you know?
I built up the walls, layer by layer, checking to make sure it was level as I went. It took some time and patience, but seeing it take shape was pretty satisfying. After a few hours, I had a solid, circular fire pit about a few layers high. Not bad for a weekend’s work, if I do say so myself.
Once the mortar was dry, which took about a day, I cleaned up the area and got ready for the first fire. I tossed in some kindling and logs, lit it up, and bam, instant backyard oasis. Sitting around the fire pit with some buddies, roasting marshmallows, and sharing stories—it was exactly what I’d envisioned.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you need:
- Fire bricks (refractory bricks)
- Refractory mortar
- Gravel for drainage
- Shovel
- A spot in your yard
- Some elbow grease and patience
Building a fire pit is a doable DIY project that adds a lot of charm to your backyard. It’s a bit of work, but the payoff is totally worth it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a fire to tend to and some marshmallows to roast.
