Building Your Perfect Fire Pit on a Budget

How to build a DIY fire pit as a beginner. A complete guide for your backyard project!
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Build a DIY fire pit in your backyard and enjoy evenings around the fire. We explore all the materials, stones, fire ring inserts, leveling and drainage options you’ll need to build a fire pit as a beginner. This is an easy outdoor diy project you can tackle in one day!

0:00 Lots of Fire Pit Options!
0:40 Picking the Right Stones
3:30 Which Fire Ring is Right for You?
5:49 Best Location for a Fire Pit
6:34 Laying out the Fire Pit Space
7:40 Digging out Your Fire Pit Base
8:30 Adding Drainage to the Pit
10:20 Leveling for the Stones
12:20 Laying the First Row of Pavers
13:50 Adding the 2nd and 3rd Layers
15:10 Installing the Fire Ring and Fill Stones
15:58 Cost Breakdown and Thoughts

[trishakauffman]

You're definitely committed to doing things just perfectly. Me I'm just grabbing stones out of the woods, dropping them on the ground and hoping for the best.

[sisyphushappyband]

I like the addition of the cost breakdown at the end. I would vote for that as a regular addition!

[daveyio]

can't wait to see the smokeless upgrade as building a fire pit will be on my to do list in the next year or so.

[Eltravieso]

For folks like me who are lacking in construction skills, these videos are awesome! TY for doing what you do!

[scottshawwoodworking]

I vote for smokeless firepit. I love the design and thank you for putting in the cost of the materials.

[joerobinson]

As always you are the best. I can remember when I had as much energy as you, the good old days. Never the less I always look forward to your videos. Keep on going.

[Ilyaphd]

Man, I am so happy that I found this channel and this video. Watched it and build awesome fire pit, wife approved! Appreciate you being so thorough, man!

[robertlastname]

$ tip: The decorative rock is definitely useable. At Home Depot, in the concrete section, there is Quikrete all purpose gravel that sets really well for blocks. It's a bit cheaper than the decorative rock.

[Bonezz]

Bought the exact fire pit you did and it’s way too bare on its own. This is the perfect video and I’ll be doing this in the spring. Thanks!!

[strykker]

Definitely would love to see a smokeless version. Excellent work as always. Much appreciated by everyone!

[tpeberle]

This build is similar to what I did last summer, but I wanted it 1 layer taller for a bigger fire. I used flashing at the bottom and attached with rivets to extend my fire ring because I couldn't find one as tall as I wanted. Maybe it'll help someone out there. Nice job!

[cryptodawk]

I bought the exact same firepit off amazon as well, so thank you very much for posting this. Very detailed. Definitely looking forward to the smokeless mod :-) Cheers

[busta]

Great explanation and thanks for including the price breakdown. Can’t wait for the smokeless upgrade.

[Maestro]

Great video! Just have a suggestion though...

(0:50-0:58) You don't want to "knock it off". If you choose this kind of brick, then just put the ridges face down on the inside of the ring, and when you get to laying the next layer, the ridge holds on to the inner edge of the blocks below it, providing both stability to the ring, as well as eliminating heat expansion that could shift the blocks out of position. Now, this also means that with each successive layer you add, the circle will decrease slightly in diameter and leave a gap that is too small for a full block. But that's ok, because you need a gap for the bellows port. So if you set the first ring with a gap that is a half block wide (preferably on the downhill slope side to prevent rain or snow from running into the pit), then the second ring will line up perfectly with no gaps. Then, if you do a third layer, you can add a half block directly above the first layer's bellows port. And if you do a fourth layer, it should line up with no gaps, just like the second layer. As you increase the layers/height, the diameter will decrease, but this will make the chamber heat more evenly, and also directs the smoke straight upward (like a chimney), instead of blowing sideways in the slightest breeze. And finally, it is easier to cover the top during bad weather/winter, as the hole is smaller and can be covered by a smaller lid (like the one on your original metal firepit at the beginning of your video). Of course, you can use just about anything (non-flammable, that is). I have used the lid from a galvanized trash can. Whatever works.

[aps]

5:45 any time I'm near a campfire or similar, the smoke always seems to blow into my face regardless of where I move. Definitely interested in a smokeless version.

[shannoncornwell]

Yes! This is great. Would totally be interested in a video on the smokeless version.

[AllezVous]

Been on YT since 2008, and I've got to say that this is the most useful video I've ever come across, lol. I can't wait to build my own firepit!

[lancemorgenstern]

Man, I love your content I opened up YouTube. I clicked on how to make a fire pit. Your video came up first and I watched it… so much good information what to buy when not to buy what bricks not to buy thank you thank you thank you I will subscribe to your channel and see what else I can put in the backyard….. this video has been very helpful…… keep up what you’re doing from the bottom of my heart thank you thank you so much……

[faithsmalling]

Thank you for telling the REASON for adding each feature. I like natural stones and have lots of roundish river rocks (aprox 10 pounds each) already here. More work but we love the look.

[glennwell]

I subscribed to your channel over a year ago, coming back to it now I see a major improvement in quality, truly a complete guide as your title says. Great video!