Posted: 7/18/2009 6:34:43 AM EDT
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I want to build a fire pit in my yard. I don't want to pay big $$$ to Home Depot for those nice looking fire bricks. The yard is for my apt. complex, so it really isn't worth it, since I'll eventually move. Tell me how to build the cheapest permanent fire pit I can. Thanks!
ETA: I should add that I'd like to dig a hole because I need the dirt to fill in other areas of the yard. Otherwise I'd just buy a charcoal grill or something. Plus a deep fire pit can FIT MORE FIRE 
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Cut a 55 gallon STEEL drum off at the lowest ring. Tap the ring until it folds over. It works great and costs NOTHING. Set it on some bricks or rocks and drill a few air holes on the bottom of the side.
I loved it and used it, but my wife HATED it. "Its just so redneck." I thought that was the point. 
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the apt. complex ok with you having a fire pit? Yup, the yard had not been maintained for three years. It looked like a jungle. One morning I just woke up started clearing it all out. Someone had bought a bunch of slate and left it in a pile in the corner. I laid out a path and a flat area to hang out. Put up some chicken wire and planted some seeds. Landlord comes over to get something, sees the yard. Comes up and knocks on my door with a case of beer. Long story short he is fine with whatever I am doing. |
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I looked at that too, looks real nice but notice that it cost $500 of new material. |
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Quoted: I looked at that too, looks real nice but notice that it cost $500 of new material. talk to the landlord. Tell him if he pays for the materials you will cover the labor. I've had a lot of luck with this approach during college. Ceiling fans, garbage disposals, new fencing, new toilet, etc. A smart landlord will see the chance to improve/increase the value of his property for cheap... |
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I looked at that too, looks real nice but notice that it cost $500 of new material. That's what someone commented... They used (7) layers of 14 stones, but ended up removing one. 6*14 = 168 stones. If you look around, you can probably get the stones for about $2 each. Other than the fire ring, that's about it for cost. You probably don't even need to go 6 layers tall. |
| These can be had at Lowes, H Depot, WalMart.........http://www.diy2u.net/products/chico-mini-clay-chimenea-with-lid-limited-stock_LAHACIENDA65010.html |
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I have heard of making a fire pit and optional grill with a couple of plowing discs. Sounds like it should be fairly cheap, but I don't know. A google search could probably find what I am talking about.
Also I don't think it is sunk below the ground if that is what you are looking for. |
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Quoted: I have heard of making a fire pit and optional grill with a couple of plowing discs. Sounds like it should be fairly cheap, but I don't know. A google search could probably find what I am talking about. Also I don't think it is sunk below the ground if that is what you are looking for. Bury the bottom third of steel drum. Lay pavers around the circumference. Start fire, drink beer. |
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1.fire ring
2. get a box of beer 3.get wood 'n shit 4.??? 5.profit |
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get an old washing machine and take out the steel drum they make great fire pits This is what we did for camping. Got an old steel washing machine drum and welded it to an old 15" steel truck wheel as a base. We have been able to use it in campgrounds where there are no open fires allowed. |
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get an old washing machine and take out the steel drum they make great fire pits This is what we did for camping. Got an old steel washing machine drum and welded it to an old 15" steel truck wheel as a base. We have been able to use it in campgrounds where there are no open fires allowed. They work great, but trust me, don't get drunk and fall against it when its hot. A friend of mine did this and got some very nasty burns and a trip to the ER. |
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I really liked the steel drum idea but I just called Home Depot and they won't cut the drum for me. I'm going to talk to my landlord about the cost/labor agreement. That's a good idea. If he'll pay for bricks fine with me. Just cut it with a skil saw. Nothing to it really. |
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the apt. complex ok with you having a fire pit? Yup, the yard had not been maintained for three years. It looked like a jungle. One morning I just woke up started clearing it all out. Someone had bought a bunch of slate and left it in a pile in the corner. I laid out a path and a flat area to hang out. Put up some chicken wire and planted some seeds. Landlord comes over to get something, sees the yard. Comes up and knocks on my door with a case of beer. Long story short he is fine with whatever I am doing. Please tell us you have before and after pictures.... |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
get an old washing machine and take out the steel drum they make great fire pits This is what we did for camping. Got an old steel washing machine drum and welded it to an old 15" steel truck wheel as a base. We have been able to use it in campgrounds where there are no open fires allowed. We have one like this at my dad's house in NorCal. We took the wheels off an old lawn mower and mounted them on the bottom towards one side with a stake on the opposite side. The stake side has a wood handle at the top. This way you can grab the handle, wheel it to where you want, then push down so the stake goes into the ground. |