A stone fire pit is a perfect addition to your backyard. There are many different styles of fire pits and many ways to make these for your space. It depends on your type and your preference. While many of the fire pits can be nearly $1,000, other ones are less expensive.
Today we are going to talk about the best fire pits and the different types of fire pits. Here are some of the best fire pits, how to find them, how much they cost, and potentially how to build them for yourself.
How to Build a Generic Fire Pit
Building your own stone fire pit can be an adventure, but it is always a great idea to figure out what the steps are, what is needed, and where you will do it. Here are some tips to help you create the perfect fire pit yourself.
How to Build a Fire Pit
Figure out if you can have one
If you rent land and are unsure if you can build one, check with your landlord. If you own your home, check with your local laws and city rules to ensure it abides by their guidelines. For example, some places don’t allow fire pits, and it is essential to check before you do something that could get you into trouble.
Find a place in your backyard.
Most people build theirs in their backyard for ease and accessibility. However, it needs to be far enough away from home and away from anything potentially set on fire. You also shouldn’t put this over any property lines you may share.
Choose Fire Pit Type
Throughout this article, we will explain some of the various fire pits and what you can choose for your home. Here are the top four popular styles:
- Wood
- Gel Fuel
- Propane
- Natural gas
Choose your design and plan your strategy.
Not everyone wants a genuinely DIY project, and that’s okay because there are so many options for kits in stores now. You can find a prefab fire kit that you build from a major store, or you can find equipment that has all the materials but allows customization. If you are feeling adventurous, you can DIY your stone fire pit.
Decide on a shape
Not everyone wants a circular fire pit, and that’s totally fine! You might even want one that is a unique shape. Either way, plan your shape and get started because this will help with the next steps to complete your fire pit.
Collect materials and tools
Be sure to check with the website of your choosing or with your kit to make sure you have all that you need. This is important because you might put yourself behind in building time if you don’t.
Move your pavers
These are not light, and it is best not to do this when you’re wearing street clothes. Put on your best protective gear and get ready to sweat because this is no easy task! You might even want to grab a cart or a wheelbarrow if you have to travel a bit into your backyard to set all of this up properly.
Dig!
You want to make sure that your stone fire pit isn’t going to kill your grass because this could damage your backyard. Depending on your size, make sure you reserve a sizable piece of land for your stone fire pit and save your backyard foliage.
Build the base
Without building the base, you will never have a solid stone fire pit because this will seep into the backyard grass and dirt, killing the fire. Most fire pits like gravel at the bottom and water, and you want to make an excellent thick base. The best are generally around five inches thick.
Lay the stones
You want to keep it uniform when you do this and limit the number of gaps. This will help with air circulation and make your fire pit look professional as if you had an expert build it!
Add your adhesive
To make sure your structure stays, you have to add in the adhesive. This is generally with the recommended substance or mortar. Make sure you use a level and mallet to make it all even and make sure it dries.
Fill with lava rocks.
This will be the final step and the part that makes your fire pit genuinely complete. This helps with heat and makes your fire pit look incredibly luxurious and well made because of the unique design.
Build your fire
After all these steps, you are ready to build your fire and get started with enjoying those fall evenings out under the stars with your loved ones. Because of the thoroughness of the steps, you can enjoy evening fires for many years with your loved ones.
Now that we have explained the basics behind building a fire pit, here are some of the specific types of fire pits you can choose from.
Types of Fire Pits
Cinder Block Fire Pit
While it might not be the first material you think of, cinder blocks can be the best to use for fire pits. Cinder block fire pit structures work well because the cinder keeps the sparks from leaving the fire pit and helps to absorb the heat. They are also super easy to build!
How to Build a Cinder Block Fire Pit
You don’t need much to build one of these structures. Luckily, you only need a few items. Because of its simplicity, it is one of the most straightforward designs on the web today includes:
- 24 cinder block caps (make sure they are fire-resistant)
- 2 bags of red lava rock
- Small bag of mortar
With these materials, all you have to do is construct the cinder block foundation. Here are the steps:
- Lay 8 fire resistant caps in a square
- Stand the blocks on their sides in the center to form a square
- Mix the mortar according to the instructions and mortar blocks together
- Place one block on its side at the edge of the inner square place
- Apply mortar to the inner square block tops and seat the remaining cinder on top
- Put the lava rocks at the bottom
Best of all, this only costs $40 in total to make! Of course, you have to check the prices at your local hardware store, but for the most part, this is one of the most cost-effective fire pits that you can create for your backyard.
Stone Fire Pit
If you’re looking for something more sophisticated but easy to assemble, then you should consider a stone fire pit. These are great and can be made in a circular shape, which some people prefer because of their traditional appearance. They are definitely more expensive than a cinder block fire pit but higher quality.
Some of the best stone fire pits can be found in kits, like those at Home Depot. The Necessories Grand Fire Pit with Cooking Grate retails for $629, but it comes with loads of features that anyone might want for their fire pit. Here are the specifications:
- 293 sq. inches of area for cooking
- Builds in 30 minutes max and without special tools
- Comes with a 10-Gauge steel fire ring insert and grate
- This fire pit ring insert is the same one used by the U.S. National Park Service and lasts a lifetime!
- Designed for one-handed operation and meets ADA guidelines for ease in use.
This stone fire pit is the top of the line and one of the best online choices because of its materials and the fact that the U.S. National Park Service stands behind this brand. The price that it retails for offers a lifetime of use.
Menards Fire Pit
For those who have Menards close to their homes, this is another excellent choice to fulfill your fire pit needs. Whether you want a steel fire ring or you want a standard steel pit, you have many options to choose from.
One of the top-rated fire pits on the Menards online store is the Backyard Creations® Westport Propane Gas Fire Pit Table. Unlike other fire pits, this one is fueled by propane and designed to be a table for people to use and sit around. Because of this, it is much more of a table structure than that of a pit. Here are some of the specifications for this fire pit:
- Powder-coated steel fire bowls
- 50,000 BTU
- Pulse ignition system powered by 1 AAA battery
- Uses a 20-pound gas tank
- It can be converted to natural gas
- 3 feet in height
- 26 inches in diameter
- Weighs 153 lbs
For the price of $445 as the final price, this is not a bad deal for Menards because of what you can provide for your backyard.
Portable Propane Fire Pit
For those who want something more portable, there are several options. Stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer great selections at affordable prices. Despite portable propane fire pit size and price, it still packs quite the same heat as the others!
Heininger’s portable propane gas fire pit is clean and smokeless, lightweight, and super easy to carry. Best of all, you can take this camping with you and even use it for tailgating because it truly is the all-in-one fire pit for all occasions!
It works in all weather and can burn at 58,000 BTU. However, don’t forget to purchase the propane tank when you go to pick up your new fire pit!
Metal Fire Pit
A metal fire pit can be an excellent choice for those who want to have some customization and simplicity. There are numerously available hardware stores, but you can also have them customized to your specifications for cheap on Etsy.
On Etsy, you can create a large and heavy-duty portable metal fire pit. Nine pieces fit together quickly, and you have many designs to choose from:
- Deer
- Fish
- Cow
- Horse
- Top Border
- Large Pattern
- Flag
- Stars
- Tracks
- Your Name
- Letters
You don’t need any tools, and this fire pit is custom-made. It is only $270 and made of 11-Gauge steel, which means it will be sturdy.
Indoor Fire Pit
The more sophisticated household might even have an indoor fire pit in their spaces. These can be artistic, delicate and bring out some of your personality in your space. But, no matter your style, there are many that you can choose from that truly show off uniqueness.
One of the best options was found on Wayfair. This is a botanical-inspired piece that doubles as decor and a fire pit on top of your tabletop. It is small, compact, and can be one of the most exciting pieces in your dining or living space.
Coming in gold or silver, it is a clean-burning fire pit that is barely six pounds but just over a foot wide. It uses fuel cans to burn and requires no chimney, which is a great plus. You can truly move this anywhere in your home, and it is super convenient–and fashionable!
Copper Fire Pit
Metal fire pits are fantastic for your space, but the best kind of fire pit that is available is a copper fire pit. While some fire pits can be significant in size, some are compact and perfect for a small gathering of friends.
The Copper Royal Cauldron Fire Pit comes with handles and a great spark screen. Having a fire pit screen helps with helping the sparks. It also helps keep some of the blaze inside and away from children and others.
Another great feature of this fire pit is that it comes with a fire pit grate. You can use this to hold the wood, but also keep the circulation going strong throughout the fire pit while burning it. With the right fire pit insert, you can have your fire pit burning for a long time.
Ukiah Fire Pit
Unlike others in this article, this fire pit truly is one of a kind. This makes your outdoor experience to an entirely new level. This retails for less than $300, but it comes with many unique features. Here are some of the details:
- 12V 100 watt sound system
- Two 3-inch marine-grade speakers
- 3 modes:
- Grill
- Music
- Grill and music
- Wireless Bluetooth connection within 60 ft
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery with 20-hour battery life
- Adapter for 20-lb external propane tank
- Includes lava rocks and magnetic lid
It is made of steel and comes in black, but clearly is so much more than just a fire pit. But with this Ukiah fire pit, you not only get modernization, but you get functionality. The electric ignition is unique to the fire pit and makes for easy accessibility and use.
Rectangular Fire Pit or Square Fire Pit
You can choose to build a rectangular fire pit or a square fire pit and there are still some fantastic and appealing options to purchase online. Wayfair, among other sites, has plenty to choose from and even comes with some of the accessories to help maintain your fire pit over the years.
The Deskins Aluminum Propane Outdoor Fire Pit Table is perfect for those who want a more luxurious fire pit. While this fire pit is a bit more expensive than others, it also does have a hidden fuel tank and adjustable flame. Additionally, it is also weather resistant.
This rectangular fire pit can burn at 50,000 BTU and hold a standard 20 lb propane tank underneath. When you aren’t using the fire pit feature, you can use it as a table. This is an excellent option for those who want to avoid DIY steps and potentially want something more unique.
Electric Fire Pit
Electric appliances are generally some of the more sought-after items because of their accessibility, even during more impoverished weather conditions. However, for those who want something unique but don’t mind paying more for the ambiance, there are great choices online.
The Frisbee Electric Logs are an alternative to the electric fire pit that gives off the same heat without burning anything. These are great and don’t need a fire pit ring insert, liner, or screen. All you have to do is turn on the electric logs and enjoy the heat!
It comes with remote control and works without heating the logs. It is fully assembled, and all you have to do to enjoy the heat is plug it in right away to get toasty!
Steel Fire Pit
Steel fire pits are a classic choice because of the materials used and the fact that this has been a tradition for decades. In addition, steel is a great trapper of heat and is incredibly resistant to damage, weather, and the heat that the fires produce over the years.
Steel has the quality and durability that you want in a fire pit. It is built to last forever and will darken over time, but this means it is working. One of the more unique and top-rated items for sale is the Ohio Flame Patriot Steel Fire Pit.
It weighs 68 lbs, and it is only 30 inches in diameter. The edges are also built for a fire pit screen, which is incredibly useful for those who want to protect themselves from the fire’s sparks and high heat.
Essential Fire Pit Accessories to Consider
Now that you have probably chosen your fire pit, you have to consider some of the accessories that will help you maintain your fire pit and ease operation. Here are some of the most popular items and where to find them:
Fire Pit Ring Insert
No matter the shape of your fire pit, you should get a fire pit insert to protect your fire pit base and help keep the heat centralized. There are circular and square ones, as well as rectangles. There are dozens of choices, but be sure to check your dimensions before purchasing.
Fire Pit Liner
Much like the fire pit ring insert, the fire pit liner can be great for keeping all of the base protected and cleaning it quickly. There is an assortment of shapes, and it truly depends on what you have in your backyard.
Fire Pit Grill
This is definitely worth the purchase for those interested in cooking up some delicious treats over the fire pit. This can go over the top of the fire pit and help you grill and sear meats, vegetables, and other items you want to enjoy with your family and friends.
Fire Pit Screen
As mentioned before, these are great for protecting you from the heat of the flame and keeping it centralized. Your fire pit screen can also go over the top to ensure that you keep your fire pit safe when not in use.
Fire Pit Grate
Much like the grills, these are great and can keep the fire centralized in one area. These generally fit the inside edge of the fire pit and have to be put before use, but are still worth the money if you consider this investment.
Conclusion
No matter your preference, it is safe to say that fire pits can be great additions to your backyard. Whether you want a Ukiah or a generic steel fire pit, you have so many choices and so many accessories to purchase to make your fire pit the star of your backyard.
