Okay, so a while back I decided my backyard needed a little something extra. You know, a place where you can just chill out, maybe roast some marshmallows, and enjoy a nice evening. That’s when I got the idea to build a brick fire pit. Sounds fancy, right? But trust me, it wasn’t as hard as it sounds.
Getting Started
First thing I did was figure out where this thing was gonna go. I didn’t want it too close to the house – safety first, folks! I marked out a nice circle area with some string and stakes, just to get an idea of the size. Once I was happy with the spot, I started to dig. Nothing too deep, just enough to clear out the grass and get a level surface.
Laying the Foundation
Next, I laid down some filter fabric – this stuff is supposed to keep weeds from growing up through your fire pit. Then, I made a wood frame on top of that. I shoveled a layer of fine gravel inside the frame, just a thin layer to help with drainage. I grabbed an old bucket and set it right in the center of the gravel – this was gonna be the mold for the inner circle of the fire pit.
Building It Up
Now came the fun part. I poured some river rock around the outside of the bucket, making sure it was nice and even. Then, I poured a layer or two of sand inside the bucket, just to weigh it down. I topped it with some lava rocks inside the bucket.
I bought these Belgian wedge wall bricks – they were perfect for making a circle. I started laying them around the perimeter of my dug-out area. I took my time, making sure each brick was level and snug against the next one. It was kind of like a big, round puzzle. I kept going until I had a few layers, each time checking that everything was still level.
Finishing Touches
After a few layers of bricks, I decided that was high enough. I didn’t want anything too tall, just something cozy. I carefully removed the bucket from the center, and there it was – a perfect circle in the middle. I filled the bottom with more gravel, and then added a layer of sand on top.
Fire It Up!
All that was left was to light some firewood. I put some wood into the fire pit, added some kindling, and struck a match. Boom! Instant fire. The fire pit looked awesome, especially with the flames dancing around. It was the perfect addition to my backyard.
So there you have it – my little fire pit adventure. It took a bit of work, but it was totally worth it. Now I’ve got a great spot to hang out with friends and family, and it didn’t even cost that much. If you’re thinking about building one yourself, I say go for it! It’s a fun project, and you’ll love the results.
