How to Make Your Own Fire Pit
Make your own fire pit with this simple and inexpensive design. This method of making a backyard fire pit is so simple that my kids helped make it!
A couple years ago, my mom was moving from her house in the country to a house in the city. She had all of these cinder blocks that she didn’t want to take with her.
She said she had seen some pictures online of a very simple backyard fire pit using cinder blocks, and wondered if we’d like to have one. Of course we said yes!
The kids helped her unload the cinder blocks from the back of her truck and into our backyard. Then they got ready to build the fire pit.
How to Make Your Own Fire Pit
This project was literally so simple that it hardly requires detailed instructions, and I didn’t even get any photos of the building action!
I was inside the house working on another project, and my mom and kids literally made this simple fire pit all by themselves.
To make the fire pit, all you do is lay down some cinder blocks in a square shape. How many cinder blocks you use depends on how big you want your fire pit.
We used 16 cinder blocks. 8 on the top, and 8 on the bottom.
Before laying down the cinder blocks, they cleared a little spot in the backyard. We had already been using this space for bonfires, so it was already mostly clear.
So then, after clearing the space, all you do is lay the cinder blocks down in the shape and size you want, and you’re done!
It’s literally that simple.
This simple to make and inexpensive (free for us because the cinder blocks were given to us) fire pit has already received so much use!
One of our favorite activities for a special family night is to gather around the fire pit and roast hot dogs or s’mores.
We also have a grill piece from an old grill that we place over the cinder blocks and that’s what we use to grill hamburgers. We joke that it’s kind of a redneck fire pit, but we still love it! It works really well for us.
Backyard Fire Pit Supplies
Here are the materials and supplies we use for our backyard fire pit:
- 16 cinder blocks (to make the fire pit)
- roasting sticks for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows (these are on my wish list!)
- cast iron pie irons (for making hobo pies and sandwiches over the fire)
- camp chairs for sitting by the fire
That’s all there is to this very simple DIY fire pit! Do you have a fire pit in your backyard? Let me know in the comments below if you plan to make your own fire pit.
Disclaimer: The information presented here is accurate to the best of my knowledge, and is intended for entertainment purposes only. No guarantee is given about the suitability, completeness, or accuracy of the instructions contained here. I accept no liability for the use or misuse of any of the information presented here. Use these instructions at your own risk, and please take safety precautions when working with these materials. Please refer to our disclaimer policy here.
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I love this affordable fire pit. I was wondering what the outside and the inside cooking area measurements are when finished. I am no math wizard, but I’ve calculated the outside to be 40” x 40” and the inside burning/cooking area to be 24” x 24” roughly. This would be perfect for my backyard. It would fit in the area that I currently have used for my previous fire pit.
Thank you for posting this fire pit idea and picture. Happy Grilling!
Hi Donna! We really enjoyed using this fire pit for about five years. We had so many cookouts and nights sitting by the fire roasting hot dogs and making s’mores. But then we bought a grill that we now use on our back deck, so we don’t have this fire pit set up anymore (so unfortunately, I’m not able to measure it). If you decide to make one, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
I so want to make one like double in height where I can put my fire pit that I already have in the middle.
I use this fire pit at my house too! I put 2 cinder blocks on their side on opposite sides on the bottom level to allow air flow for the fire. Let me tell you it keeps that fire burning! Great post!
Yes, it’s such a simple but effective design! So glad to hear it works well for you!
This was very helpful I live alone so I have to be Bob the builder st my home so I followed what you said and now I cleaned up grandsons yard by removing unwanted cinderbloxks and made myself a fire pit free of charge just alittle later thank you
That’s great! I’m so glad it was helpful!
I love this! Such a simple way to have a firepit. The funny thing about this is, I made a raised vegetable garden the exact same way! I even had a blog post about it a few years ago. So, this is a very flexible project! Thanks for sharing it at the TFT party!
Thank you, Pam! What a great idea to make a garden like this!
perfect for the backyard where a crowd can gather to stay warm in cooler months, cook food or simply enjoy thanks for sharing
love it thanks for sharing I could see many family times around this
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Great idea for an inexpensive fire pit! Found you on the Simple Homestead hop, Joy! I would love to have you join me on Farm Fresh Tuesdays!
Thank you, Lisa!
This is such a great idea to use leftover cinder blocks!!! I love it. Yesterday I was answering questions on hometalk and someone asked ‘what to do with extra cinder blocks’ I remembered seeing your post and dropped a link to your post! Perfect! Great idea. Saw your post at the bloggers pit stop party:) pinning
Thanks so much for sharing, Kathleen!
This looks really easy – nice idea – thanks for joining us in Bloggers Pit Stop – Pit Stop Crew
Thanks, Menaka! It was so easy to make, and it’s still working well for us!
Great idea and so simple! I made one this week out of sandstone. It is a rustic ring where we burn in the backyard. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Sandstone is a great idea too!
What a wonderful idea!! We love a good s’more toasting fire during the summer!!
Thanks for linking up @LiveLifeWell
Blessings,
Amy
It’s one of our favorite summer activities!
What a great idea! Pinning!
Thanks Donna!