GuideOutdoor Kitchens & BBQ
Outdoor Kitchens & BBQ · Guide
Build a Backyard Fire Pit with a Steel Ring Insert
A fire pit makes a garden usable on cool evenings and becomes a natural gathering place. A safe one is not hard to build, but the planning matters more than the stonework: where it goes, what rules apply and what protects the blocks from the heat.
What you will build
You will check the rules, choose a safe spot, dig a shallow circular base, fill it with gravel, set a steel fire ring in the centre and build a low wall of retaining blocks around it. The steel ring takes the direct heat; ordinary concrete blocks can crack or even burst if a fire sits directly against them.
Fire pit rules differ a lot: some places ban open fires entirely, some only during dry periods, and many set a minimum distance from buildings, fences and trees. Many fire services recommend at least 10 ft (3 m) from anything that can burn, and some require more, so check yours and use the larger figure.
Real-world examples
Photos of similar builds by other people, shared under open licenses. They show the idea in practice; the details differ from this guide.
Materials
- A steel fire pit ring sized for your pit
- Retaining wall blocks, enough for two or three courses around the ring
- Gravel or crushed stone for the base
- Masonry adhesive suitable for outdoor use (optional, for the top course)
- Sand for levelling
- Optional: lava rock or fire-safe gravel for the bottom of the pit
Tools
- Tape measure, stake and string
- Spade
- Hand tamper
- Spirit level
- Rubber mallet
- Wheelbarrow
- Gloves, safety glasses and sturdy boots
Step by step
1Check the rules
Look up your local rules for open fires and fire pits, including any seasonal bans, permits, distance requirements and what you may burn. If you rent or live in a housing association, check the lease or rules too.
2Choose a safe spot
Pick a level spot well away from the house, sheds, fences, hedges and overhanging branches, at least the distance your rules require. Avoid spots over buried cables or pipes, and do not build on a wooden deck.
3Mark and dig the base
Push a stake into the centre and use a string to mark a circle a few inches larger than the outside of the blocks. Remove the turf and dig the circle about 6 in (15 cm) deep, keeping the bottom level.
4Lay and compact the gravel
Fill the hole with gravel in layers and compact each layer with the tamper until the base is firm and level. Gravel drains rainwater and gives the blocks a stable foundation.
5Set the ring and the first course
Place the steel ring in the centre and arrange the first course of blocks tightly around it. Check each block with the level and tap it with the mallet until the course is even all the way round.
6Build up the wall
Lay the next courses with the joints staggered over the blocks below, like brickwork. Keep the wall low, usually two or three courses. Glue the top course with outdoor masonry adhesive if you want it fixed.
7Finish the area around it
Spread gravel or lay paving in a wide ring around the pit so sparks land on stone, not grass. Place seating at a comfortable distance and keep a bucket of water or a hose ready whenever you light a fire.
Tips for a better result
- Burn only dry, untreated firewood; wet wood smokes and spits.
- A spark screen over the pit reduces flying embers on windy evenings.
- Check the wind before lighting and do not light a fire on gusty days.
- Let the ash cool completely, ideally overnight, before you remove it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Building without checking local rules or fire bans.
- Lighting fires directly against ordinary concrete blocks or river stones, which can crack or burst when heated.
- Placing the pit under trees or too close to a fence or shed.
- Burning painted or treated wood, rubbish or plastics, which give off harmful smoke.
Safety
- Never leave a fire unattended, and keep children and pets at a safe distance.
- Keep water, a hose or an extinguisher next to the pit every time you use it.
- Never use petrol or other flammable liquids to start or revive a fire.
- Put the fire out completely with water and stir the ashes before leaving it.
General guidance only. Follow the instructions for your tools and materials and your local rules, and use a qualified professional for electrical, gas and structural work.
Finishing up
A well-placed fire pit with a proper steel ring is safe, durable and quickly becomes everyone's favourite place on autumn evenings. Keep it clear of leaves, check the blocks each spring and enjoy it within the rules.
About this guide: written by the DIY Outdoor Builds editors from general, widely used building and gardening practice. Text and illustration © DIY Outdoor Builds. Photos are by the people credited under each one, used under their licenses. Found an error? Let us know.
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