How to Build a Fire Pit

By: Harry Sawyers, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. CAST-CONCRETE WALL STONES

2. CAPSTONES

3. STEEL CAMPFIRE RING
The one we used here is from MARKSTAAR

4. 3/4-INCH DRAINAGE GRAVEL

5. PATIO BASE
(stone dust)

6. MASONRY ADHESIVE

7. READY-MIX MORTAR
(if needed) to cement a natural-stone cap onto the wall. A 40-pound bag is enough.

8. CONCRETE BONDING ADDITIVE
(aka "milk") to make the mortar more flexible.

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Brick hammer
- Cold chisel
- Spade
- Hoe
- Steel rake
- Tamper
- 2-foot level
- 4-foot level
- Mallet
- Caulk gun
- Trowel
- Grinder
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Product selections for this project
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Photograph: Kolin Smith

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9

1. Lay Out the Blocks

Dry-lay a ring of blocks on the fire pit site, placing them end to end until you have a perfect circle positioned where you want the finished pit to be. To adjust the size of the circle, you may need to cut a block. Hold the block over the gap it will fill, then mark it on the underside at the proper width.

Using a 3-inch cold chisel and a brick hammer, score the block on the mark, and continue the score all the way around the block. Place the block on a hard surface (flat rocks or gravel). Hold the chisel in the score line, then hit it with the brick hammer until the block splits.

Clean up jagged edges with the tail of the brick hammer. Place the cut block into the ring.