A great accent to an outdoor space is a fire pit. These features provide a great place for social gatherings, or more intimate get-togethers. Building one in your outdoor area is simple so long as some easy steps are followed and the structure is built very attentively. The first step is to locate the spot where the fire pit will be built. The location chosen should be a great distance away from trees, buildings, or any other item that can catch fire from stray sparks. A location that is level is preferred, although a slight incline is allowable. Make sure there are no underground features, such as pipes, cables or wires at your location.
At the center of your location, drive a stake into the ground to mark the location of the pit. Tie a string to the stake and attach another stake to the other end about two feet away. Then, use the string and stake to mark out a circle around the center stake, using flour, or land safe spray paint. After marking the circle, remove the grass and other features from the inscribed circle, and dig out a depth of about a foot, keeping the sides as straight and vertical as possible. In the center of the hole, dig a square hole, half a foot square and a foot deep.
Scrape the bottom of the hole and add about four inches of pea gravel, filling the center hole all the way as well. If on an incline, utilize the pea gravel to level it out by adding extra gravel to one side. The gravel is there to ensure proper drainage of the fire pit, and the center will act as a sump to improve the drainage capabilities of the fire pit. A top the gravel, add around three inches of sand to help protect the exposed roots from any fire that may reach them.
At this step, surround the pit with two rows of pavers that are stacked atop each other. Do not use and adhesive, and dry stack them to ensure that any that break can be replaced. Right now, a choice should be made, as to whether you wish to use a container for your fire, or to have an open pit. Using a container, a flat bottomed barbecue grill works well to hold the combustibles and ensure easy clean up of ash and debris. An open pit is just the fuel placed upon the sand. Either choice, begin by soaking the sand and surrounding area with water, helping to ensure the prevention of the fire spreading. It is a good idea to have a large bucket of water or fire extinguisher around just in case something happens.
There are many ways to enjoy your new fire pit. On cooler days, a fire pit is a nice way to get warm outside in the beauty of the outdoors. Marshmallows and hot dogs cook well over the fire pit, and nothing can beat s’mores in the later evening. So long as you make sure to put the fire out completely, get rid of the ash and other unburned material, a fire pit is a safe and enjoyable adornment to a back yard.
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Originally posted 2008-12-15 05:11:49. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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