My vote is always for re-use (except the trash pieces, which can still be used as a filler). For your question of using a single layer of brick (I assume you mean vertical layer for the walls) -- bad idea without lining it with steel or firebrick, and a quick way for people/things to get burned. You can also use two layers spaced with an air gap or filled with loose or crushed rock (and you can use the trash pieces as well so you don't need as much rock). You will want to mortar the bricks (mortar), not stack them, and you'd need a solid base. I'd recommend using this information from The Family Handyman as a fairly good guide.
Otherwise, build a proper firepit and use the bricks for a walkway or as a flat area for standing/seating around the firepit. I'd suggest knocking off the larger chunks of old mortar with a rock/brick chisel.
Answer from Jacob S on Stack ExchangeReddit
reddit.com › r/diy › are fire bricks necessary when building a fire pit?
r/DIY on Reddit: Are Fire Bricks Necessary when Building a Fire Pit?
April 24, 2017 -
I have a huge pile of bricks from tearing up an old patio. I wanted to build a fire pit out of them, but reading various tutorials, I a few references to fire bricks. Are they necessary when building a pit, or would I be fine with 2-3 brick thickness wall for the pit?
thanks for any help
Top answer 1 of 4
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I've had 40 years of fire pits built out of regular bricks. They've never "exploded", or "shattered". They do eventually crack.
2 of 4
8
Firebrick is more vitrified (non-porous) than a regular brick and it will not absorb water and risk explosion (water turns to steam inside a brick being heated by fire and can explode the brick to escape). Not all bricks are the same and some "standard" brick may be ok in certain fire pit environments if you heat it slow enough and dry out the brick before a real fire, but not for long-term as it's not designed for the heat cycling. Same rule kinda applies to using concrete cinder block.
Chicago Tuckpointing and Masonry
chicagotuckpointingandmasonry.com › can-you-use-regular-bricks-in-a-fire-pit
Can you use regular bricks in a fire pit?
By using firebricks on the inner wall, you will be able to use your fire pit for a much longer time, as it will continue to be stable and durable, compared to only using regular brick, which would crumble after a couple of years once it is often exposed to extreme heat.
Videos
17:36
How to build a brick fire pit - YouTube
03:08
How To: Make a Brick Fire Pit - YouTube
10:45
Build The Coolest Backyard Fire Pit in Under 10 Minutes - NO TOOLS ...
16:48
Building Your Perfect Fire Pit on a Budget - YouTube
Brick Fire Pit
Build The Coolest Backyard Fire Pit in Under 10 Minutes - NO ...
What kind of bricks are safe to use in building a fire pit?
Firebricks, made to withstand high temperatures, are the best choice for the inner wall of a fire pit. Regular bricks can be used for the outer wall, which doesn’t get as hot.
stepbystepol.com
stepbystepol.com › home › can you use regular bricks for a fire pit: important safety tips
Can You Use Regular Bricks for a Fire Pit: Important Safety Tips
Is it necessary to use curved bricks when designing a fire pit?
Curved bricks are not necessary but can make building a round fire pit easier and more stable. Straight bricks can be used with some adjustments and careful placement.
stepbystepol.com
stepbystepol.com › home › can you use regular bricks for a fire pit: important safety tips
Can You Use Regular Bricks for a Fire Pit: Important Safety Tips
How do you build a brick fire pit without using mortar?
Use interlocking bricks to build a fire pit without mortar. Stack them in a stable, circular pattern, making sure they fit tightly together. You can also use metal fire pit rings for added stability.
stepbystepol.com
stepbystepol.com › home › can you use regular bricks for a fire pit: important safety tips
Can You Use Regular Bricks for a Fire Pit: Important Safety Tips
Western Interlock
westerninterlock.com › home › hardscape basics › can i use regular brick for a fire pit?
Can I Use Regular Brick for a Fire Pit? | DIY
June 27, 2025 - Thinking about using leftover bricks for your backyard fire pit? It might seem like a budget-friendly idea—but not all bricks are built to handle high heat. In fact, regular bricks can crack, explode, or fail entirely under fire conditions.
Stepbystepol
stepbystepol.com › home › can you use regular bricks for a fire pit: important safety tips
Can You Use Regular Bricks for a Fire Pit: Important Safety Tips
March 19, 2025 - Firebricks can endure temperatures of up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, while a regular fire only reaches around 800-900 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes firebricks an essential part of building a safe and long-lasting fire pit.
It\'s The Brick Guys
itsthebrickguys.com › home › can you use regular bricks for a fire pit?
Can You Use Regular Bricks for a Fire Pit? | It's The Brick Guys
June 9, 2021 - The steel ring could theoretically protect regular bricks from the flames and prevent them from crumbling, but that would be putting your safety at risk. Instead, we prefer using fire pit blocks that stand the test of time, all in coordination ...
Top answer 1 of 3
3
My vote is always for re-use (except the trash pieces, which can still be used as a filler). For your question of using a single layer of brick (I assume you mean vertical layer for the walls) -- bad idea without lining it with steel or firebrick, and a quick way for people/things to get burned. You can also use two layers spaced with an air gap or filled with loose or crushed rock (and you can use the trash pieces as well so you don't need as much rock). You will want to mortar the bricks (mortar), not stack them, and you'd need a solid base. I'd recommend using this information from The Family Handyman as a fairly good guide.
Otherwise, build a proper firepit and use the bricks for a walkway or as a flat area for standing/seating around the firepit. I'd suggest knocking off the larger chunks of old mortar with a rock/brick chisel.
2 of 3
0
I have used recycled bricks to build a small separating wall between me and the neighbors, no problem. I would definitely reuse them.
mimzy & company
mimzyandcompany.com › diy-brick-fire-pit-made-leftover-fireplace-bricks
DIY Brick Fire Pit made with leftover fireplace bricks • mimzy & company
August 2, 2020 - This brick fire pit made with the leftover bricks from my fireplace turned out to be easier and stronger than I expected. We’ve always had a burn pile in this location. We have a heavily treed acre of land, and yard waste is abundant, so we ...
The Torch Guys
thetorchguys.com › news › how many bricks for a fire pit: quick guide
How Many Bricks for a Fire Pit: Quick Guide & Calculator — The Torch Guys
August 20, 2025 - Consider local building codes and proper foundations. Use fire bricks for the inner lining and regular bricks for the outer structure. The bigger your fire pit, the more bricks you'll need.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/diy › fire pit bricks
r/DIY on Reddit: Fire Pit Bricks
November 20, 2021 -
Hi! I'm thinking about building a simple fire pit, i'll probably use it once every two weeks during winter, is it categorical to use fire-bricks? What's the dangers/problems with using normal ones? I ask because the first ones are very expensive, thank you.
Top answer 1 of 4
16
Go with the fire bricks. Use a stacked, circular pattern. When you stand next to it, they make a sort of parabolic heat reflector. It's crazy. Also, when stacking, you can leave gaps for added air-flow.
2 of 4
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Refractory bricks are designed to be used in high-heat environments. Regular bricks can have small amounts of moisture present inside them, that if heated, could turn to steam causing the brick to explode. It’s unlikely to happen, but it can and does happen. It’s the same reason you don’t build fires on top of concrete slabs or in a concrete paver fire pit without an insert ring. Personally, I’d spend the few extra bucks to have the peace of mind that a brick isn’t going to pop while my family is gathered around enjoying a fire.
A O Handy Inc
aohandyinc.com › using-bricks-for-a-fire-pit
Using Bricks for a Fire Pit: Safety and Design Tips
March 20, 2025 - However, they can still be used for the outer layers of the fire pit where direct heat exposure is lower. If using regular clay bricks, it’s important to check that they are not sealed with coatings or glazes that could release toxic fumes ...
Lawn Care Forum
lawnsite.com › home › forums › 🏞 landscape design & installation › hardscaping
Firepit Construction- fire brick or not. | Lawn Care Forum
You got to keep in mind though that the firebrick is expensive and also you should use a special fire-brick mortar, which is usually 10 times the cost or more of regular mortar. But, you don't use very much of it. IMO, I like the look of fire-brick over the steel ring. You can do a better cap that is more appealing. I also don't like mixing steel with stone. I also think that it is superior to any other method of building of building a pit.
Quora
quora.com › What-type-of-brick-should-I-use-to-build-a-fire-pit
What type of brick should I use to build a fire pit? - Quora
If you're looking to build a pit for high heat applications, in excess of 2ft tall by 4ft wide, or using a blower, you need to use refractories. Refractory materials (bricks, mortar) can withstand high temperat...
757 Brick
757brick.com › home › blog › hardscapes › building a diy brick fire pit
DIY Fire Pit Planning: Calculate Your Brick Needs
August 22, 2025 - Regular bricks can work for the exterior fire pit walls, but they are not suitable for the interior lining. Standard bricks contain moisture and may have air pockets that expand when heated, which can cause them to crack or even explode when ...
OLA
outdoorlivingaustralia.com.au › ola - for outdoor living in australia › fire pits › fire pit stones and bricks: a diy guide
Fire Pit Stones and Bricks: A DIY Guide
September 24, 2025 - However, these should never be ... the exterior brick work. You can use regular bricks for the outside of your fire pit but you should not use them for the inner section that faces the fire directly!...
Brickworks Supply
brickworkssupply.com › inspiration-resources › articles › diy-brick-outdoor-fire-pit
How to Build a DIY Brick Outdoor Fire Pit | Brickworks Supply
Common red clay bricks work well for this project. Fire Pit Insert or Grate: This is optional but highly recommended, as it helps improve airflow and ensures the fire burns more efficiently.
DIY Home Improvement
diychatroom.com › home › forums › home improvement › concrete, stone & masonry
Need advice: Fire Pit - Brick work - mortar splitting | DIY Home Improvement Forum
Firebrick is a dense brick that’s kilned to withstand high temperatures. It’s larger, thicker and wider than regular brick, and you can find it at most brickyards. Firebrick is more expensive, but it will stand up to nightly fires for years to come. You’ll need 25 firebricks for a 3-ft. diameter pit.
Today's Homeowner
todayshomeowner.com › masonry
How to Build a Brick Fire Pit: The Complete Guide (2025)
One benefit of building a DIY fire ... and outdoor decor needs. For example, use cement blocks in place of bricks if you'd like a variety of shapes and sizes to make up your pit's structure....
Ceramic Arts Daily
community.ceramicartsdaily.org › ceramic arts daily forums › studio operations and making work
Brick for pit fire - Studio Operations and Making Work - Ceramic Arts Daily Community
April 3, 2013 - Hello I was watching a CAD video on pitfiring with Sumi von Dassow and wondered about the brick she lined the pit with, it looks like ordinary brick as opposed to refractory brick? My question --can I use regular brick or even concrete block to line a pit! and while I'm at it can I build a raised...
Land Designs By Colton
landdesignsbycolton.com › brick-fire-pits
Brick Fire Pit DIY Guide - Build Yours in 6 Easy Steps
August 22, 2025 - In this article, you’ll discover the essentials of brick fire pits and what you need to know before you start your project. Fire pits reach extremely high temperatures, so regular bricks (the same you’d use for a house or retaining wall blocks) or concrete blocks won’t cut it.