Okay, so I’ve always wanted a cozy spot in my backyard, and what’s cozier than a little outdoor fireplace, right? I finally decided to just go for it and build one myself. I mean, how hard could it be? Turns out, it was a bit of a project, but totally worth it in the end.
First things first, I needed a solid base. They say a concrete slab is the best bet, and it kinda makes sense. You don’t want your fireplace sinking into the ground or cracking, especially with the crazy weather we get. I did some digging around online and found that the base needs to be built based on your soil, how much it freezes and thaws in your area, and how heavy your fireplace is going to be. It sounded complicated, but I just followed the basic guidelines I found, and it worked out fine.
So, after figuring out where I wanted this thing to live, I started to dig out the area. I cleared out a space a little bigger than the fireplace itself, just to give it some breathing room. Then, I laid down some of that filter fabric stuff. It’s supposed to help with drainage and keep the weeds from growing through, I think. On top of that, I built a simple wooden frame, just some planks of wood nailed together to contain the gravel and everything. Poured a layer of gravel, just the fine stuff you get at the hardware store, into the frame and plunked a bucket right in the middle, standing on the gravel. I had to work quickly and I was out of breath. Then, I dumped some river rock, some sand, and some lava rock all around outside and inside the bucket. That’s it!
Now, for the fun part – the bricks! I decided to go with the clay bricks because I liked the way they looked. And because they are cheap, I have been wanting to save money.
I bought a bunch of bricks from the home improvement store. I’m not gonna lie, hauling those things back to my place was a workout in itself. I started laying the bricks in a circle, following the bucket. I just kind of eyeballed it, making sure it looked halfway decent. It took me an afternoon to get the whole thing laid out. It was tiring to bend down and get up all day.
- Dig the area for the base.
- Lay filter fabric.
- Build a wood frame.
- Pour gravel, river rock, sand, and lava rock into the frame and the bucket.
- Lay bricks around the base.
- Remove the bucket after the bricks are set.
After that, I just needed to wait. It took about a day for everything to fully settle. Then, I carefully removed the bucket from the center, and voila! A fireplace was born!
Light It Up!
The moment of truth – lighting the first fire. I gathered some dry firewood, tossed it in, and struck a match. The flames danced to life, and it was seriously magical. The warmth, the crackling sound, the smell of burning wood – it was everything I’d hoped for. Sitting there with a drink in my hand, staring into the fire, I felt pretty darn proud of myself. I built that! With my own two hands!
It’s not perfect, of course. There are probably some things I could have done better, but you know what? It’s mine. And it’s become the perfect spot to hang out with friends, roast some marshmallows, or just enjoy a quiet evening under the stars. If you’re thinking about building one yourself, I say go for it! It’s a bit of work, but the feeling you get when it’s all done is totally worth it.
