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
6
Any bricks that can hold moisture have the potential to explode when heated. Not a tnt level explosion but hot shrapnel can cause injury.
2 of 5
3
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.
Videos
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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
Do you need special bricks for a fire pit?
Yes. To withstand the high temperatures reached in a fire pit, you have to use firebricks, also known as refractory bricks.
jsbrickcorporation.com
jsbrickcorporation.com › what-kind-of-bricks-to-use-for-a-fire-pit
What Kind of Bricks to Use for a Fire Pit? | JS Brick Pavers
Can bricks explode in a fire pit?
If you use the right kind of bricks, no. However, if you use regular bricks, there's a high chance they will crack and pop, but nothing as drastic as an explosion.
jsbrickcorporation.com
jsbrickcorporation.com › what-kind-of-bricks-to-use-for-a-fire-pit
What Kind of Bricks to Use for a Fire Pit? | JS Brick Pavers
What to put at the bottom of a fire pit?
The recommended base for a fire pit would also be fire bricks, preferably with a layer of sand on top followed by lava rocks.
jsbrickcorporation.com
jsbrickcorporation.com › what-kind-of-bricks-to-use-for-a-fire-pit
What Kind of Bricks to Use for a Fire Pit? | JS Brick Pavers
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › home-improvement › 8t84d-type-bricks-stones-use-build-propane-fire.html
Best Bricks and Stones for Building a Propane Fire Pit - Expert Q&A
Typically, various types of landscape stones are utilized. I have personally constructed a fire pit using this type. These stones stack nicely, and when placed together, they form a circle without requiring any mortar. Another aspect to consider is if you plan to burn wood; it's essential to ensure adequate airflow to the logs. This can be accomplished by leaving a few bricks out of your wall for ventilation.
Chicago Tuckpointing and Masonry
chicagotuckpointingandmasonry.com › can-you-use-regular-bricks-in-a-fire-pit
Can you use regular bricks in a fire pit?
The answer to this question is yes, regular bricks could work for a fire pit, however, when not done properly, it can be very dangerous to do so. ... Regular bricks are often not able to withstand extreme heat and moisture that come when lighting up a fire pit, which is what a firebrick works ...
Hearth.com
hearth.com › forums › non-hearth forums › diy and general non-hearth advice
Thoughts on brick/rock type for outdoor fire pit?? | Hearth.com Forums Home
June 8, 2011 - Also cheaper than buying the wedge shaped bricks for the size I have. Any thoughts on this appreciated. ... A big steel rim from a tractor trailer truck wood make a good liner. There is no hub, just a rim. You could then safely stack or mortor any rocks around the outside. Pavers are not great for lining a firepit, you want firebrick for that. Another danger with rocks around a fire pit is whethwr they are wet or not, wet rocks can explode when they get too hot, steam buildup, which is why the steel rim makes it safe.
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.
Lawn Care Forum
lawnsite.com › home › forums › 🏞 landscape design & installation › hardscaping
Firepit Construction- fire brick or not. | Lawn Care Forum
Than again everyone has been wanting gas pits lately. ... I forgot about doing a steel ring. Thanks for the input. ... I make no claims as to being a hardscaper, but wouldn't the steel ring be subject to rapid oxidation due to a combination of exposure to the elements and the level of heat inherent in a firepit? Fireplace brick, on the other hand, is practically indestructible under normal use.
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.