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Any advice for putting in a fire pit? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a sunk one over having an above ground one? What are some tips for constructing one?
Thanks!
The ring won't move, really. The bricks would be more for aesthetics than anything. I wouldn't use mortar. It will be outside and constantly subject to warming and cooling cycles...not to mention water. Instead go with a dry stack brick (or, what I did, retaining wall blocks...they're a bit more substantial and stay in place).
As for ash removal, there's no real need to do that. But when you do need to do that, all you need is a shovel. What the ring is made of is really of no consequence in that regard.
I would spend the time to put in a proper crushed gravel base for the block work, though. A few inches of crushed rock tamped down well will give you a nice foundation for the block work.
FYI, Lowes/Home Depot usually sell a nice fire-ring kit. It will include the ring and blocks to surround it.
The long and the short:
- Lava rock vs. gravel isn't important except aesthetically.
- Use mortar not concrete for binding (in general). All mortar is heat resistant, but you can look for mortar which includes fire clay or get information about mixing your own here (experience suggests that this step is strictly optional, but I will be doing that anyway).
- It seems that there are two types of ground level fire pits – ones which rely on temporary insert which is somehow staked down, and ones which are actually built into the ground.
I’m planning on building a fire pit out of retaining wall blocks. I’ve seen it done before and I seen people with rings in the middle and without. Is it necessary?