Stone fire pit

While reclining on your patio you decided that you, a do-it-yourselfer, would try constructing a stone fire pit in your back yard. It would be an attractive addition to your house and a great centerpiece for entertaining friends and relaxing on a cool night. Now that you have made that decision you will have to decide on the location of the pit. This decision may not be as easy because you have to take into consideration an area that is not to close to your house, your garage, your wooden patio floor, a tree or another free standing structure such as a  storage shed. When you have found that ideal location you will be able to dig but not until you have called the phone company, your Water Department, electric company and gas company. These utility companies may have pipes and wires underground that could be damaged by the digging. You now have the go ahead sign and it is time to dig.

Some of the materials and supplies you will need for this project are: a stake and string, chalk, fire brick, face stones, cap stones, a shovel and premixed mortar. The supplies can be purchased in any full service home improvement center and stone yard. When you go to the stone yard ask for palletized stone which may cost a little more but are similar to each other in size and shape.  The stone will not be easy to deliver on your own so have the stone yard deliver it for you directly to where the pit will be built.

Take the stake and attach the string with the chalk to it.  Pound the stake into the ground being sure that it is secure. Pull the string taut allowing the chalk to touch the ground and begin to walk in a circle while the chalk is drawing a circular line. This is where the outer wall of the stone pit will be. When you have drawn the circle begin to dig from the outside to the center of the pit. The depth of the pit will depend on the size of the fire brick. Now cut another piece of string and again attach that to the stake and mark off another circle within the pit leaving a space in between the two circles.  In your next step you will prepare the premixed cement and pour it into the space between the two circles and allow it to dry. Leave the center open and free of any cement or stone so that the pit will have some drainage. At this point lay a ring of face stone and fire brick using mortar to cement the two together for a sturdy wall around the pit.

Continue bu8lding the wall in this manner by staggering the layers of fire brick and face stone and filling in gaps with stone using mortar. Build the wall to whatever height you want the stone fire pit to be. Now cover the fire brick and face stone with mortar and lay the capstones in place. When the mortar is dry, brush any excess mortar off and spray the inside of the pit with black stove paint. You now have the stone fire pit you were so nostalgic about. 

Stone Fire Pits We liked

Village Fire Stone Pit Gray Propane Designed For Years Of Enjoyment When the first Village Stone was finished, we spent a whole afternoon gazing at its beauty! With sides of aged brick and a solid top in sandstone, the elegance of this model quickly made it our favorite. It weighs approximately 225 pounds. Constructed of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete 90,000 BTU's Stainless Steel Burner Assembly Available in 4 Colors Dimensions 42" Dia. x 18" H Included With Every Fire Pit: Black Vinyl Cover 6 Outdoor Gas Logs Lava Rock Gas Valve Key Owner's Manual Choose Color Below

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