Tools and Materials
Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.
Planning for an Outdoor Fire Pit Ring
Our fire pit kit is comprised of block and a metal ring insert. A kit like the one in this project is easy for a beginner do-it-yourselfer (DIYer) to tackle in a weekend. We’re using one of the smaller kits for this project, but there are different options available so you can fit the fire pit to your home and outdoor space.
Check the contents of your kit to see if you need additional materials before assembling. You can install our kit on grass — on top of a gravel paver base — or on a patio. You can also design and build a custom fire pit using rectangular retaining wall block or set the fire pit in the ground. See How to Build a Custom Fire Pit and How to Build an In-Ground Fire Pit for instructions and design inspiration.
Before beginning any excavation, call 811 to check for underground utilities. Also, before you buy materials or begin work, check local building codes, ordinances and homeowner association guidelines to make sure that fire pits are allowed.
If you're looking for something smaller to create a cozy outdoor living space, consider a prebuilt cast-iron, stainless steel or steel fire pit or a campfire ring.
Choose a Location
- For safety, choose a spot located away from your house and low-hanging limbs, or anything else that could catch fire.
- Make sure you’ll have enough room for outdoor furniture around the fire pit. It's best to keep the back legs of furniture about 6 to 7 feet away from the pit.
- For convenience, you may want to locate your fire pit near your wood pile.
Prepare the Area
Begin by marking the fire pit layout. If you’re building on grass, use a stake, string and marking paint to create a compass and mark the outline of the pit. Our kit required us to dig a base slightly wider than the assembled kit to ensure a wider, stable base for the blocks. After the kit is assembled, you can fill in areas around the stones with soil and grass seed.
If you’re building on a patio, set the metal ring insert in place and lay the first layer of stones around it. Then set the insert aside and continue with installation.
Installing a Fire Pit Kit on a Patio?
If you’re installing on a paver patio with polymeric sand in the joints, you’ll need to line the bottom of the fire pit to protect the sand. Use fire-rated bricks cut to fit the inside of the pit. Cut the bricks using a circular saw with a concrete blade or a stone chisel and hammer. See Cut Patio Block for detailed instructions.
Lay the Paver Base (If Installing on Grass)
If you're building the fire pit in your yard, you'll need paver base to create a stable foundation for the blocks.
Instructions
Set the Stone Ring
With the paver base down, you can start placing the fire pit block.
Instructions
Fire Pit Ideas
To choose the right fire pit design and layout to suit your entertaining needs, think about how you’ll most often use your fire pit area. With a few basic skills and a bit of creativity, you can easily design and build your own DIY fire pit using retaining wall block.
Read How to Build a Custom Fire Pit to learn how to make your own fire pit with retaining wall block.
If you frequently host outdoor parties with many guests, or want your pit to match an existing patio, an in-ground fire pit may be to your liking. A classic in-ground fire pit is the ultimate way for you and your family to gather around an outdoor fire year after year.
Read How to Build an In-Ground Fire Pit for instructions on how to build a fire pit with pavers and transform your backyard into a comfortable and relaxing space.
If you want to save time in the building process, a fire pit project kit may be your best option.
Need other ideas for fire pits? Read Fire Pit Inspiration to Transform Your Backyard.
Once your fire pit is complete, enhance your area for gatherings on cool evenings. Make the area more comfortable and inviting with accessories, including patio chairs to create a conversation area, outdoor end tables for drinks and snacks, garden décor such as statues and sculptures, and string lights or wind chimes to help create the perfect mood.