How to Make an Above-Ground Fire Pit 

If you are looking for a way to enjoy your backyard without the hassle of smoke and sparks, then it is time to make yourself a above-ground fire pit. We’re going to show you how!

You don’t need to install a fire pit in the ground for it to be safe. With a metal fire ring or heat-resistant stones, your pit may be above ground. If you are looking to make a fire pit specifically for the outdoors, search for rocks between 4 and 6 inches in size with an ability to withstand heat.

Steps

Step 1: Select a safe, free of low-hanging vegetation -especially things like bushes and plant life that may ignite from sparks.

Step 2: Clear all debris from the selected area. Gather your yard debris, like raked up mulch or skimmed off the lawn, for use in other parts of your yard.

Step 3: To make your fire pit, start by laying stones on the ground. These stones should be at least 4 inches thick and heat-resistant, so they don’t break apart. Place the rocks in a row over the fire pit to form its first layer, arranging them next to each other with no gaps between them. The best fire pit always leaves an open space of 2-3 feet inside the row of stones. Stones are circular by nature, but rectangular and square stones can be used to make different shapes.

Step 4: The general rule of thumb is to measure 2ft out from the outside edge of stones to find where the edge of your fire pit should be. To make a fire pit above ground, place wood stakes surrounding the stones to create a shape mirroring that of the fire pit. To create a circle, use at least eight stakes for your fire pit.

Step 5: Paint the ground between two stakes with spray paint to mark out an area surrounding the fire pit. The fire should be at least 2 feet away from everything around it for safety reasons, and nothing surrounding the pit can catch on fire.

Step 6: To build an above-ground fire pit, start by removing the stones you laid to form the first row. Create a 4 to a 6-inch deep hole in the area you spray painted. Create an above-ground fire pit by filling the gap with crushed gravel. You can place a few small pebbles around the pit to prevent any rainwater from reaching the surface and keep it dry.

Step 7: To construct an above-ground fire pit, start by measuring inward 2-feet from the perimeter of the gravel area and put in that spot the first stone. Set additional stones next to each other to form the fire pit’s size and shape as you did before.

Step 8: Lay out the stones to ensure they’re flat and level before proceeding. To adjust the stones’ levelness, add or take away crushed gravel beneath them. Arrange the first row of stones in place for your fire pit.

Step 9: To begin, add a second row of stones on top of the first. Then, stagger the seams between the rocks in each row to create your elevated fire pit. For example, the middle of a stone in the second row could lay over the seam between two stones in the first row. The bricks are stacked in a similar way to how houses are built. Stack the stones to a height of no greater than 1 foot.

Step 10: Build a fire pit on top of a steel fire ring. A fire ring made from steel is an option to consider. It keeps stones from getting too hot, keeping the pet safe. Place crushed gravel around the steel fire ring to fill in any gaps.

Step 11: After placing the capstones on top of the stones, set one capstone aside and squeeze masonry adhesive onto the exposed stone. Put the capstone back onto its setting. Once all the capstones are secured, move to the next layer.