Fire Pit chit chat

I'm going to use some of my down time to build a fire pit in my backyard. Right now, I'm debating if I should buy the raw materials and build it myself or if I should grab one of the "kits".

I have to meet the following bylaws with regard to construciton:

- The Fire Pit should be either dug into the ground, or constructed above ground in a manner which will prevent the fuel from falling out of the container

- The above ground portion of the pit is constructed of stone, masonry, metal, or other non-combustible material

- The Fire Pit should be no more than 3 feet in diameter or equivalent size if rectangular

- The Fire Pit shall be covered by a substantial screen or grate with openings not to exceed 0.5" in any dimension


I'm considering just using paving stones or landscaping blocks to build the pit itself. However, I would need to figure out what to use for the screen. If I can source screen material, I think I can build something cheaper than a kit. I was unable to find anything suitable from our scrap bin at work before my lay off. Unfortunately, I don't have access to a welding machine now that I'm laid off either so anything I find will need to basically be pre-fabbed or only require minor cutting and fitting.

Alternately, there is this kit which includes a screen.

https://www.rona.ca/en/stackstone-firepit-39925064

 

Really, bylaws for a backyard fire pit?

Canada is dumb.

 

@TXRailRoads73 built one and might have some pointers and suggestions.

 

I'm on a city lot so it kind of makes sense. I need to get a permit to burn as well. $10 per year for that. But yeah, as a general principle it's annoying. LOL

 

The stone part would be easy to do without having to buy a kit. The screen is a little difficult without a welder. I would suggest buying the stone similar to that in the kit that you have shown, and do it with a 22" diameter, the size of a weber kettle. You can buy a 22" weber grill grate that will then fit in that opening. Buy 2 pieces of rebar about 30" long and install in the top layer of brick, criss cross, which will give you a surface to lay the grate on.
The grate will have long 'slots' instead of square openings - it depends how tight your bylaws are regarding that. If it is an issue, get 2 grates and lay them on top of each other with one turned 90 degrees to the other one, creating square openings, or if you have a grinder, buy a piece of expanded metal - you can get 24"x24" pieces at Home Depot. Cut a 22" circle and tie it to the weber grill with bale wire (not zip ties! lol).

 

I did mine with stone. No grate needed here.

I think if I did I would go to the hardware store and get some heavier wire. Use bar stock to bolt the wire to it. Make a handle and you’re in business. Later on if you want to make it fancy when you get a welder you could tack it all up

 

I'll check out the expanded metal option. I was looking into that. I would like the option to cook over the fire with a cast iron pan so I'll see what I can come up with that can support it. I really need to buy a welding machine for my garage. LOL

 

We went with a city slicker pit lol our lot is smaller so it made more sense.runs on propane or natural gas.
These are a good buy at Costco right now. 65000 BtU’s. Once I get property I’ll build I nice one I have a couple crusher cones that work awesome for a pit.

 

It was a kit from Home Depot

 

Is that really true? I’m not pretending to know your laws, but I’m in a town where we are required to get a permit to ‘burn’ (think brush pile) as well ... however a fire for ‘cooking’ wink wink (in pit or not) no permit is needed.
That is why whenever I’m burning whether the intent is for s’mores for the kids or chores for me there is always food around ie marshmallows or hotdogs

 

In my County we are technically also not allowed to have open fires, but a bbq pit is an exception, so as long as you have a bbq grate handy to place over the fire when someone shows up you should be good. Kind of silly, but that's how it works.

 

Yep

https://www.cityofgp.com/city-services/emergency/fire-department/residential-fire-pit-permits

 

Here's my fire pit. I didn't build it, it was there when we moved in.

Unfortunately, the previous owner had been burning all of his construction debris in it for the past 10 years so I had quite a job shoveling all of that shit out of it. I was cursing him with every shovel full of nails, screws, electrical fixtures, melted plastic, etc. I must have pulled about 75 joist hangers full of nails out of there along with about 50 drawer tracks from furniture that the asshole burned in there too. I'm still taking it to the transfer station a few bags at a time.

But, the fire pit is great now that it's had all the toxic waste cleaned out.

 

Home Depot kit, believe 44" across

 

That looks nice. What's the inner ring made of?

 

Heavy gauge steel, can't tell you how thick, sorry, but it holds up good, it's been through over 20+ fires, kit doesn't come with rock that sits in between steel n pavers, that ring is 2 pieces, 4 bolts

 

Did you get that in the store or online? That fire pit looks really nice.

 

20x26 patio then stoned area for the pit.

 

A person could always get something like this and just stack your brick around it ! I think it’s around $250

 

This is my goal

 

I would love a yard like that. Houses with that much greenery and trees are expensive around here though. LOL

 

That is my goal for retirement a nice green roomy outdoor area to chill maybe entertain friends a family ! That back yard is sweet.

 

Heres a simple fire pit idea..
https://youtu.be/rB__p25GUpc

 

Um. I’m pretty sure my metal insert from an old washing machine is rocking those bylaws!

 

Except those irregular pavers will be s tripping hazard to all the drunks at the party. said a friend of mine that read it somewhere.

 

Store it’s cheaper $339

 

Ok mom

 

Ha! It’s us moms I’m talking about.

 

This isn't mine but I built one almost identical to it. Went to a tractor salvage yard and picked up an old rim from a Ford 8N and wrapped it in retaining wall block. It worked great and cost me about $75. The rim had the clamp rings inside it which worked great to support a cooking grate. I had a friend cut me some expanded steel to fit inside for cooking over a bed of coals.

 

That looks really good.