Building a new fire pit, any suggestions?

[huntresss]

Our old campfire pit is starting to show it's age and I want to build something a little nicer. I remember seeing some pictures on here in the past but I've tried searching every term related to a fire pit and can't seem to find them. I just basically want to dig a shallow pit and line it with rock with a small ledge that our hunters can prop their feet up on. In the past I've just used sandstone that I've picked up around our ranch, but after exposure to the heat it ends up crumbling and needs to be replaced constantly. I thought about using landscape type bricks but don't know if they'll hold up to the heat. This won't be used for cooking, just to sit around, but sometimes our guests get a little carried away with the size of fire they get going so I was wondering if firebrick is necessary. If anybody has any pictures or suggestions, I like to see/hear about them. Has anybody built a pit with bricks that aren't firebrick?
-Cheryl

[Joey~AP]

Go to a tractor graveyard and get a big rear rim.

They would make an allsome fire ring and be plenty big.

Seen a bunch in Eagle Lake.

[jerp]

I built one out of landscape stones I removed from a collapsed retaining wall at my house. They are 4" high and can easily be laid in a circle. They are made of concrete - I didn't know how they'd hold up to the heat but no problem so far. I had enough to make it 2 courses high (8") and I put some masonry adhesive between them so they wouldn't get kicked over. Home Depot sells them and I think they are pretty cheap.

[huntresss]

Joey- thanks for the idea. I had not considered something like that.

Jerp- those are exactly the bricks I was looking at. We have a Home Depot in Ada, and that's pretty much it for landscape supplies. I've read that those bricks can explode if they get too hot, but I'm not building an oven, just a shallow pit. Do you know roughly how big of a circle they make if you lay them side by side and approximately how many you had to make it 2 high?

[TexasOkie]

Joey- thanks for the idea. I had not considered something like that.

Jerp- those are exactly the bricks I was looking at. We have a Home Depot in Ada, and that's pretty much it for landscape supplies. I've read that those bricks can explode if they get too hot, but I'm not building an oven, just a shallow pit. Do you know roughly how big of a circle they make if you lay them side by side and approximately how many you had to make it 2 high?

i have those same bricks around a tree and its about a 3foot circle 2 bricks high...would be a good firepit

[Big Poppa Blake]

I built one out of landscape stones I removed from a collapsed retaining wall at my house. They are 4" high and can easily be laid in a circle. They are made of concrete - I didn't know how they'd hold up to the heat but no problem so far. I had enough to make it 2 courses high (8") and I put some masonry adhesive between them so they wouldn't get kicked over. Home Depot sells them and I think they are pretty cheap.
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I've built several retaining walls with these exact bricks.

Just some advice, lay down 1/4 inch of sand before you set the bricks. It will make your base layer set much better. You shouldnt need to worry about the heat directly on the bricks if you build the ring large enough.

Additionally, I would think of setting your first ring nearly level to the ground, coming up additional 2 rings. Seems like alot of extra cost and labor, but the dividends are worth it in looks and stability.

[jerp]

I'm guessing from memory but I think there are about a dozen on each layer which made a pit about 4" across. They are made by Pavestone (the "Anchor Windsor" model) Their website has an estimator - use the one for round walls.

http://www.pavestone.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/

[jerp]

I'm guessing from memory but I think there are about a dozen on each layer which made a pit about 4" across.
http://www.pavestone.com/component/o...page/Itemid,1/

The good thing about a 4" fire pit is that it doesn't use much firewood. Doesn't put off much heat though...
(Should have said 4')

[huntresss]

This is how we spent our day yesterday....so a 4" fire pit doesn't sound so bad. That would be one way to make the woodpile last more than a couple of weeks.

I just got back from Home Depot with a pickup bed full of bricks. With the first layer leveled and layed, it's time to quit to go huntin'. Thanks for all the help. I knew I could count on y'all!
-Cheryl

[Texastaxi]

Cheryl, just remember ... figure out how big you think you'll need it ...


then make it TWICE that size!

[BrianL]

I would make it 1 layer higher than you think, that way if you go back and lay out a stone patio around it you will still have the needed height on your ring.

[innergel]

We have an abandoned quarry on our lease. There is a never ending supply of perfectly rectangular rocks laying around. The only problem is it's kind of back off the road so hauling them out it a PITA. Our pit at the lease is a maybe 6'x6' square. They are just piled up, no mortar or anything. Holding up just fine although we do have some cracks.

[Tmag]

I know your looking for brick but here are a few of our 36" pipe pit. Grate is removeable and lid is built to allow rain water to run off. Lid is in the background of the one with my wife enjoying the fire. Concrete is about 20' wide circle and makes for some nice gatherings.

[phoneman]

we just bought a fire ring from tractor supply co. for about 55.00