Step 4: Fill the Trench

Fill the Trench for the Fire Pit
Photo: Kolin Smith
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Fill the trench with 6 inches of 3/4-inch drainage gravel. Using a hand tamper, compact the gravel. If necessary, add more gravel to keep the trench level and even.

Always make sure the blocks line up perfectly in the front and back when you lay them out; a difference of 1 inch in the circle's diameter could create a 3-inch gap between blocks.
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    Tools List

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    • brick hammer
      Brick hammer
    • cold chisel
      Cold chisel
    • square spade
      Spade
    • masonry hoe
      Hoe
    • metal garden rake
      Steel rake
    • tamper
      Tamper
    • two-foot level
      2-foot level
    • four-foot level
      4-foot level
    • mallet
      Mallet
    • caulk gun
      Caulk gun
    • brick trowel
      Trowel
    • angle grinder
      Grinder

    Shopping List

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    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.