Spending time in the cold weather surrounded by family and friends in a fire pit is the perfect way to spend the day. Nothing beats outdoor entertainment, and with the cold weather, it can be hard to have a party outside. Having a fire pit would surely solve the feeling of being too cold during your party.
You do need to dig a hole for a fire pit. It is up to you how deep you want your fire pit to be. Digging about six to eight inches down is a deep enough hole for a fire pit. However, you can still go more in-depth if you want to.
If you want to build your own fire pit, you are on the right page. In this article, I will talk about whether you have to dig a hole for a fire pit, how to dig a fire pit in the ground, and what you put on the bottom of the fire pit. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will get the fire pit you want for your home.
Do you have to dig a hole for a fire pit?
Yes, you do have to dig a hole for a fire pit. The depth of the fire pit would depend on how you want it. Now, if you want a basic fire pit, you should dig about six to eight inches deep. This would be a good enough depth, but if you want to go deeper, you can. Some people usually like to add about four to six inches of pea gravel or sand to your fire pit.
The additional depth will help the overall drainage of your fire pit. With this said, it would require an even deeper hole. Also, you need to make sure that your fire pit is far from trees. The reason for this is when you think the fire is out, when really, in the ground, it may still be smoldering. These roots can re-ignite and turn into fires.
The deep layer of sand on the bottom will cut off the oxygen needed to start and sustain a root fire. In this case, it is best to go with a firebrick, which is something that can withstand extremely high heat. You can place the wall blocks around the rim of your pit, and that would serve a purpose well enough.
How to dig a fire pit in the ground
First, you would need to outline the fire pit in your backyard. Place stones’ bottom ring in the grass where you want your fire pit to be located. When you are planning to use a metal ring, you can use it to make a circle by placing the stones around the area for your fire pit.
After that, remove a couple of stones, so there’s space between them. Use spray paint to mark the outside of the stone.
Second, use a mattock, shower, or whatever digging tool that you may have. Dig out the circle you have painted to the depth that you want. However, six inches deep is good enough. It will be an easy or a more challenging task depending on the area where you live. Some areas have a large number of rocks in the soil or the grass with really strong roots.
Third, it’s time to fill up your fire pit. You can pour the gravel into the hole until the gravel and ground are at the same level. It is crucial that the gravel will provide crucial drainage from your fire pit if ever it rains.
Fourth and last, it is time to build your backyard fire pit. You can start placing the first ring of stones around the gravel circle’s edge. Getting a rubber mallet will help you tamp down the stones to make them flat and even. Now, if you include a metal ring to make the fire pit, keep it in the middle so you can ensure you fit your stones right up against the metal ring.
Once all of that is done, you can enjoy your time around your fire pit with family and friends. As suggests above, you do not need to hire a professional to get a decent fire pit going. With the right materials and tools, you can do this yourself.
What do you put at the bottom of a fire pit?
The fire pit’s bottom refers to the ground and surface material you will use to burn or fuelwood. It is one of the most important aspects of lighting up a fire. If you don’t have the proper bottom, then you might never have light. Setting up the bottom is the first thing you should consider when setting up a fire pit.
One of the things that you can use at the bottom is sand. It is considered one of the most versatile materials that people use because it is cheap and easy to install. It also provides an excellent heat shield where the sand helps soak up heat and evenly distributes it around the pit.
Dirt is also another option that you can choose because it is free, easy to use, and heat resistant. It is an excellent option, but the downside of soil is it can mix with it to create a terrible muck when it gets wet. You would have to dig it out so that you can start a new fire pit.
With this said, you need a little extra maintenance when using this type of material.
Lastly, lava rocks have been specifically designed to be placed at the bottom of the fire pit. It looks good, but they are also perfect for conducting heat. There’s no need to worry about them cracking, breaking, or exploding like other stones.
However, using this material may require higher maintenance unless you have installed a gas fire pit.
Choosing the material to use when it comes to your fire pit is crucial to make sure that you will get the best for yourself and your loved ones during a cold party. Having a fire pit in your home can add value to it as well, which is perfect if you want to sell your home in the future.
