Outdoor FirePit

by omrygal

18K57015

Intro: Outdoor FirePit

In the steps ahead you will learn how to build a great fire pit that is easy to build and very cheap to make.

I'm sorry for my English, and I hope everything is understandable.

Have fun building it!.

*This is my entry into the Concrete & Casting Contest, all votes are greatly appreciated.

STEP 1: Dig a Hole

You need to dig a hole about 50 cm deep.

I chose to make it shaped like a square.

STEP 2: Mix the Concrete

Those are the ingredients I used to make the concrete:

15 kilo portland cement

45 kilo sand

30 kilo aggregate

you mix it all together and add water until it's all wet.

STEP 3: Build the FirePit

Start by making the first layer of stones. Pour some concrete under the stones and between them.

When you finish making the first layer of stones, put some re bars in the middle and pour the cement to create the ground, than flat it out.

Dont forget to add some holes for drainage (this way you can turn the fire out with a hose).

Then start making the second layer of stones, repeat the making of the first layer.

Fill the space left between the walls you made to the ground with the soil you took out.

STEP 4: Patio

For the patio i needed to make cement again. This time i didn't use aggregate because i wanted it to look smooth.

You should use 10 kilo portland cement and 30 kilo sand, mix it together with alot of water because it's easier to use this way.

Use big stones and place them around the firepit, between the stones put some re bars, and then pour the cement.

Let it dry for about a week, wash it with water twice a day to make the concrete harder.

*If i could do things differnet, I would put some small stones between the big stones.

14 Comments

WillC97 4 years ago

Did you make those stones or did you buy them?

poofrabbit 9 years ago

Congratulations on being a finalist in the Concrete and
casting contest! Best of luck to you!

blatantimage 9 years ago

Umm, did you research Concrete and it's use in high temperature applications?

Please people, don't follow these instructions. Regular concrete is not suited for high heat, you MUST use a refractory cement mix in order to mitigate the water trapped inside the concrete from exploding (think boiling water vapor molecules), and sending shards of aggregate (and the rebar) into the flesh of your party guests.

Seriously, this is a big No-No.....

LynxSys 9 years ago

Wow, add that to the list of things that I did not know, but am now glad that I do. Today's episode is brought to you by the molecule H2O, and by the phrase "explosive spalling"!

ztwentytwo 9 years ago

I love the idea, yet the square shape looks like a pig to clean. Methinx better suited will be a dish shape, with enough of a base diameter to get a shovel in and out of, easily.

jwhaler 9 years ago

Also, cement is very caustic and can cause skin burns if you handle it without protection.

Ol_Rusty 9 years ago

Just a heads up, be very careful when you have a really large and hot fire near concrete as it can cause it to explode if it has not fully dried and or it has rained recently. This is as a result of the air pockets that are always left in the concrete, when headed the moisture in those pockets is turned to steam and expands. My cousin still has scars from this happening.

omrygal 9 years ago

i'm glad you enjoyed it :]

vikingjohn 9 years ago

Awesome fire pit. Very nicely done. Where do you live? Your clay is so sand like. I live in Ireland and we don't have clay like that so I'm intrigued...

omrygal 9 years ago

Thanks for the comment, I'm from Israel..

vikingjohn 9 years ago

Fantastic... Keep up the great work