How to Construct a Striking Stone Fire Pit

Posted on September 27, 2013

Many of my favorite fall memories revolve around fire pits. Cooking s’mores, roasting brats (yes, many of the memories are food related), and chatting with family and friends underneath the stars are just a few of them.

If you live in Indy, you don’t have to wait for your next camping trip to have a bonfire. Building a stone fire pit in your backyard is an easy do-it-yourself project, and you’ll reap the benefits of it all year. Follow these easy directions and get fired up!

Supplies

Before you begin, assemble the following supplies:

• Wall stone or paving stones • Gravel, sand gravel, or another type of crushed stone • Concrete and mortar • Firebrick • Landscape mesh

Directions

To begin your project, first watch this short online tutorial from the DIY Network. The directions below are taken from that video:

1. First draw a circle with a five-foot diameter. This will be the circumference of the fire pit. 2. Next dig 6–8 inches into the ground inside the diameter to form the base of the pit. 3. Pour concrete along the edges of the circle and rake it until it’s smooth. The concrete should be in the shape of a doughnut. 4. Lay a two-foot rebar in the concrete for support. 5. Add a layer of mortar and then do the first layer of wall stone or paving stones around the outside of the circle. 6. Place firebrick behind the stones. 7. Continue layering the mortar and the wall stones until they reach 18 inches high. 8. Measure a four-foot perimeter around the fire pit and dig up the grass; this will be the sitting area. 9. Cover the dirt area with landscape mesh and then a few layers of gravel or crushed stone on top. 10. Light a fire and enjoy!

Follow these simple steps and you’ll have a beautiful outdoor fire place for cold autumn nights. Don’t be afraid to get creative and use different sizes, colors, and types of stone pavers.

Rock Supplier

Garrity Stone is your Indianapolis stone supplier. We’re a family-owned business that’s been serving the community for over 60 years. Whether you need stones for a fire pit, retaining walls, or another residential or commercial project, our large selection and affordable prices are unparalleled.