Easy Fire Pit
Easy, Portable DIY Firepit
Create memories year ‘round with an outdoor fire pit. Easy, and portable!
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Over the years, we have had various types of stand alone fireplaces. We had a gorgeous built-in fireplace, with seating and bar, when we lived in Phoenix. It needed some repair - you can read about that project: Exterior Fireplace Makeover
When we moved to our cottage near Mount Rainier, we knew right away that we would get a lot of use out of an outdoor fire area. Even in summers, evenings can be cool. Roasting marshmallows, enjoying a nice evening looking at the mountain, spending relaxing time with family and friends - these activities needed a comfy fire!
We decided on a “portable fire pit.” This just means that we did not use adhesive or mortar to adhere the bricks to one another. In case we ever wanted to move it, we didn’t want it to be permanent.
If you wish to have a permanent structure, use adhesive or mortar. Other than that, follow our directions.
Fire Pit Size
33” diameter x 12” tall
SUPPLIES
Check Amazon for pricing. Affiliate links are in green.
landscape bricks (also called retaining wall bricks)
Brick type and size: Our bricks were 5” wide (at the widest part of the curve). The longer side of the wedge was 8” in length; the shorter side of the wedge was 6” in length. The bricks were each 5.25” deep. We used 16 bricks per round for a 33” diameter fire pit
2 50-lb bags of paver sand
3 bags lava rock
scrap board for leveling the dirt and sand
Level you will need a 4 foot level, 2 foot level, and short level
Steel tamper landscaping tool to pat down sand
Chisel hammer and chisel are used to remove rough edges of bricks if needed
INSTRUCTIONS
Choose Location
Based on where friends gathered during our summer barbeque the year before, we knew just where to place our new fire pit. They gathered on the lawn near the deck, in an open area with a clear view of Mt. Rainier. We definitely wanted to to sit by the fire and enjoy the view. This would be the spot.
Also, on the Fourth Of July, we can see fireworks in just about any direction from that part of our back yard. I envisioned sitting at our own fire to enjoy a night of fun and fireworks.
Mount Rainier Was Our Focal Point
Determine Height & Diameter
Determine the height and diameter of your fire pit. The brick size will determine the diameter of the fire pit if you want the bricks to fit snugly together. Choose bricks with a curve, so that they will form a circle. If you prefer a square or rectangular fire pit, you can use slightly curved bricks, or straight bricks.
Our bricks have a very slight wedge shape. With our size bricks, they fit well together into around if the fire pit is 33” in diameter. We used 16 bricks per level, and made our fire pit 3 levels.
Remember math from childhood? 3 x 16 = 48 bricks. Therefore, we need 48 bricks for a 3-brick wall height.
Remove Brick Ledge (if necessary)
We used “reclaimed bricks” from a landscaper who had removed them from a yard. The bricks contained a ledge on the top, back. This ledge assists in stacking when creating a wall, such as edging on a garden. It creates a “terraced” effect, with brick layer back just a bit from the layer underneath. See photos below.
We had no need for this ledge, so used the hammer and chisel to remove it. If you like the terraced look, you can leave the ledge on.
Click the following three photos for larger image on mobile device.
With the ledge removed, our bricks sat one on top of the other, straight.
Create Fire Pit Outline
These directions are for a perfect circle, 33” in diameter. Adjust for your shape and size.
Place the bricks so that they are in a circle, and the inner circle is 33” (INSIDE area is 33” diameter circle).
Using a shovel, cut a line in the grass on the outside of the brick line. This will mark the entire area of grass that needs to be removed.
OR measure the width of your brick and add twice that measurement to 33” and create a circle of that diameter. For example, if your bricks are 5” wide, and you want an interior circle of 33”, cut a diameter in the grass that measures 43”. That takes care of the inner circle of 33”, plus a brick on each side of the circle.
Remove Grass From Circle
Once the circle is marked, roll back the bricks over completely two times. This way, when the dirt is removed, you can roll the bricks forward two times and they will be in the correct position.
Rake the dirt to a smooth, level surface. As shown below under “add sand”, use a board to assist in leveling.
The following photo shows the grass removed. We removed dirt to a depth of about 3”.
Use the long level to ensure that the circle is level.
Add Paver Sand
Pour paver sand over the leveled dirt. Rake it smooth. Use a board as necessary to assist in leveling.
Once the sand is smooth, use a level to ensure the surface is level. Use the stomper to pat it down.
My husband is meticulous. He checked each brick to ensure it was level before proceeding to the next brick. The first row takes the most time. Once that row is in place, and level, additional rows are much easier.
Roll the brick into place and use the mallet to hammer it into the sand as needed.
Almost There!
A couple of bricks required some adjustment - see the photo below.
Double check to ensure all bricks are level, and they are still in the shape you want, and there are no gaps between the bricks. On first attempt, we had a few bricks that needed adjustment.
Run the long level over the top of the bricks to ensure all directions are level. Adjust bricks as necessary.
First row is done! The next two rows will be easy, because leveling has been done. We finished this row just as the rain came in. We awoke to frost this morning, so the next rows will wait until it warms up a bit outside.
Add Second And Third Layer
The second layer goes down much easier than the first, because leveling has been done. Place the second layer bricks in the pattern you want. We off-set them so the center of each brick was directly over a space on the first layer.
NOTE: Periodically check to ensure the fire pit is still level.
We did the same with the third layer. When complete, our 3 layers measured a height of 12”.
Lava Rock
Optional: Add 2-3 bags of lava rock once the fire pit is to the height you want (12”, 3 layers high in our case). The small gaps between the bricks will allow air flow to the fire, and will allow heat to come through to the outside.
Enjoy!
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