Reddit
reddit.com › r/diy › do i need firebricks for a fire pit?
r/DIY on Reddit: Do I need firebricks for a fire pit?
October 17, 2023 -
Okay so I have a 5’ by 5’ square sand patch of land I’m turning into a fire pit
I’m putting down gravel and then paver base. So I’ll have the layers of sand, then 2” of gravel and then 2” of paver base.
I’ll then be building a circular fire pit out of retaining wall blocks that are trapezoid shaped
I’ll leave about a 2” gap all around then in the center I’ll put a fire ring that’s 35”.
I’ve read some say fire bricks are super important.
Should I be incorporating fire bricks or am I fine? If I do need them, would I only put them under the fire ring or under both the fire ring and the circular stone walls?
Top answer 1 of 5
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Any bricks that can hold moisture have the potential to explode when heated. Not a tnt level explosion but hot shrapnel can cause injury.
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Definitely use fire-rated bricks. Other types will at best crack and fall apart after a few fires. At worst, they'll pop violently and hurt someone.
Lowe's
lowes.com › home › diy projects & ideas › how-tos › outdoor living
How to Build a Fire Pit | Lowe's
Line the inside of the fire pit walls with clay fire bricks. To align the bricks with the top of the fire pit, add more paver base, gravel or fire bricks to the bottom of the pit.
Published August 29, 2025
Question: what bricks/stones to use for a backyard fire pit?
Doesn't matter what you use for the bricks. Do the bricks before the gravel. Don't need firebricks on the inside. Id skip the sand too. More on reddit.com
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May 26, 2015Do I need firebricks for a fire pit?
Any bricks that can hold moisture have the potential to explode when heated. Not a tnt level explosion but hot shrapnel can cause injury. More on reddit.com
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October 17, 2023Fire Pit Bricks
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. More on reddit.com
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November 20, 2021Can concrete pavers/blocks be used for a fire pit?
I would say yes, but it depends on the block's ability to dissipate moisture. Concrete and grout retain a lot of moisture and can( does) literally explode once steam pressure builds in them faster than it can escape through the porousness of it. Try just building a fire on top of a single spare brick, make a good hot one and see how it handles it. Regardless, I have seen people use large metal bands (tractor tire rims, etc.) On the inside of a fire pit with a layer of sand, gravel, dirt, or even just air and that allows the heat to dissipate enough not to pop or crack bricks. Fire brick is an option, but an expensive and unnecessary one for most outdoor applications. Hope it helps, good luck and post pics. More on reddit.com
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August 14, 2016Videos
08:30
How to build a multi purpose fire pit, in a small garden at home ...
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Building Your Perfect Fire Pit on a Budget - YouTube
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How to build a brick fire pit - YouTube
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A Smokeless Concrete Fire Pit...that WON'T EXPLODE...
Build The Coolest Backyard Fire Pit in Under 10 Minutes
Building Your Perfect Fire Pit on a Budget
Brickworks Supply
brickworkssupply.com › inspiration-resources › articles › diy-brick-outdoor-fire-pit
How to Build a DIY Brick Outdoor Fire Pit | Brickworks Supply
In this guide, we'll take you through the steps to create a beautiful and functional fire pit that will be the envy of your friends and family. ... Clay Bricks: Choose fire-rated clay bricks, which can withstand high temperatures. Common red ...
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 - Red Clay Brick: Attractive and affordable—but not fire-rated. Use only as an exterior veneer, never inside the pit. Concrete Blocks or Pavers: These often contain moisture and air pockets.
Facebook
facebook.com › groups › 559177127750876 › posts › 2522992718035964
What kind of bricks are available for a fire pit project?
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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 - Standard bricks differ from fire bricks in size and heat resistance. Larger bricks cover more area, reducing the total count needed. A single layer works for basic pits, but a double layer offers better insulation and durability.
Family Handyman
familyhandyman.com › home › house & components › parts of house › foundation
How to Build a DIY Brick Fire Pit for Your Yard | Family Handyman
July 7, 2025 - Most require a fire pit to be 25 ft. away from any structures and overhanging trees. Think about how the prevailing winds blow through your backyard. ... 48 in. cardboard concrete form (or for less money substitute a 4x8 sheet of hardboard to make both forms) Five 80-lb. bags of Type N mortar mix · One half-gallon bucket of refractory cement (sold at a brickyard)
Bunnings Workshop
workshop.bunnings.com.au › t5 › Outdoor › What-bricks-can-you-use-for-a-fire-pit › td-p › 152911
What bricks can you use for a fire pit? | Bunnings Workshop community
May 9, 2023 - It's marvellous to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about building a fire pit. The Scandia 1kg Air Set Mortar is meant to be used with fire bricks which means that any heat that passes through the mortar will get passed on to the bricks.
BBQ Brethren
bbq-brethren.com › forums › discussion area › q-talk
Clay brick vs Firebrick vs Concrete brick | THE BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS
February 9, 2014 - If you use the concrete bricks, cook them a bit, to make sure they do not spall. Just start an open fire and let them heat up and expel air. If there are entrained air pockets, then will crack, better to know that right off.
Rock Solid Pavers
rocksolidpavers.com › home › patios › what bricks are best for…
What bricks are best for a Fire Pit - Rock Solid Pavers
May 8, 2023 - The fine grained texture and rugged surface imparts a look of resilience and durability to these high performing refractory bricks. Red clay is the typical old school refractory material that is often deployed in the form of firebricks.
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?
Today's Homeowner
todayshomeowner.com › masonry
How to Build a Brick Fire Pit: The Complete Guide (2025)
Fire pits contain dangerous flames while creating a cheerful, attractive area for socializing with friends and family. They're made from fire-resistant building materials such as stone, brick, cement, and metal – each of which fulfills different design preferences and maintenance requirements.
Land Designs By Colton
landdesignsbycolton.com › brick-fire-pits
Brick Fire Pit DIY Guide - Build Yours in 6 Easy Steps
August 22, 2025 - If you were thinking of using anything else other than fire bricks, like cinder blocks, lava rocks, or concrete blocks, know that these are less functional options when it comes to fireplaces.
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...
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › diy projects & ideas › outdoor living ideas › outdoor decor ideas & projects
How to Make a Fire Pit - The Home Depot
September 7, 2023 - Whether you are building a homemade fire pit out of brick, stone or concrete pavers or using a fire pit kit, you must select a location that is a safe distance from any structures and low hanging trees.
Lux Yard and Homes
luxyardandhomes.com › lux yard and homes › lux yard and homes
How Many Bricks to make a 48 inch Fire Pit (Best Guide)
November 14, 2024 - While a typical fire pit generally requires 50-100 bricks, and a 3-foot diameter pit often uses around 80 face bricks, the exact number always depends on the fire pit's size, shape, and the specific bricks chosen. A great starting point for your 48-inch fire pit project is to establish a solid foundation of knowledge and accurate measurements.
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 | Users Guide
September 24, 2025 - Its speckled appearance adds character to any outdoor space. House Bricks | Concrete Bricks | Cinder Blocks: These types of bricks are very common and can be easy to source and use.
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 - Fire bricks, also known as refractory bricks, are designed to withstand extremely high temperatures without cracking or breaking. Made from special heat-resistant materials like silica and alumina, these bricks can endure prolonged exposure ...
Lawrence Landscape
lawrencelandscape.com › home › brick fire pit installation
Brick Fire Pit Installation - Lawrence Landscape
February 16, 2024 - Kiln-fired bricks are the most commonly used bricks for fire pits. It’s also possible to use many brick paver stones or landscaping bricks as long as these have been kiln-fired.
Bluu
bluu.com › home › tips & how-to's › tips & how-to's
How to Build a Fire Pit with Bricks on a Budget: Step-By-Step
November 13, 2022 - The steps can vary slightly depending on what kind of fire pit you want to build. For the most part, however, this is the basis needed to complete a simple, cost-effective fire pit. The first step in how to build a cheap fire pit with bricks is marking out the spot where you are going to build.