An open fireplace in the garden is the perfect place to make yourself comfortable with family and friends - and not just on warm summer evenings. Such a campfire can also be transformed into a grill in no time at all and can therefore be used for more than just romantic purposes. Not to mention that marshmallows, stick bread or sausages can also be sizzled on sticks directly over the fire. But be careful: in addition to careful planning, a building permit is often required before construction can begin. In many communities, this is mandatory for setting up a fireplace.
How to build a fire pit in the garden?
To build a fire pit in the garden, first choose a suitable location, then prepare a fire-safe surface and build the fire pit with stones or masonry. Make sure the area has sufficient clearance from combustible materials and neighbors and, if necessary, that a building permit is in place.
Choosing the right location
You can find out whether this also applies to your municipality from the statutes or directly from the responsible municipal office or building authority. Illegal fireplaces are quickly discovered by the police or fire brigade, especially during the summer months, which is why you should not give in to the temptation. Once permission has been obtained, you can look for a suitable location. This should:
- are in a sufficiently large open space
- Keep at least 50 meters away from combustible materials, huts, houses, carports, trees and shrubs
- at least 50 meters to the neighbors
- lying protected from the wind (so not necessarily at the top of the hill, but rather in a lower part of the garden)
- no electricity or gas lines may run under the desired location
- there must be enough space around it for seating
In addition, the selected location should be as level as possible and not directly on a slope.
Preparing the surface
Once the location has been chosen, then start preparing a fireproof surface. This work is absolutely necessary to increase safety and prevent the fire from spreading onto the lawn, for example. This includes removing the turf or building the fire pit on a cement or paved surface. If the location is on a meadow or on the lawn, attach the surface as follows, for example:
- Measure the desired dimensions of the fireplace.
- Secure them with strings.
- The fire pit can be round, square or oval - it's up to your taste.
- Pick up the sod with a spade.
- Dig a pit at least 10 centimeters deep.
- Lay these densely with stones, such as bricks or larger pebbles.
- You can also set them in concrete or cement them.
The foundation described should always be built larger than the actual fireplace. You can then frame the fireplace with stones.
How to build a simple fire pit yourself – step-by-step instructions
This simple fire pit is completed in no time and can be built even by inexperienced craftsmen. Prepare the surface as described above and then attach it as follows:
- Choose a fastening material: You can use different stones, but also manhole rings, etc.
- Dig the pit in the desired shape and size.
- Surround the pit with bricks, field stones or a suitable pit ring.
- Fill the pit with pebbles, field stones or quarry stones.
- Compact the foundation, for example with a vibrator.
- Frame the actual fireplace with large stones, such as field stones.
- You can also stack natural or concrete stones without mortar to form a low wall.
- Make sure you use fireproof material and a firm hold.
If you want to frame the fireplace with drywall, it should not be higher than 50 centimeters. Otherwise it could become unstable due to the extreme heat and collapse. It should also be built in such a way that no small animals can hide in it.
How to build a fireplace yourself
A brick fire pit, which you can build yourself as described above, is of course much more stable. However, in this case the boundary stones are joined together with mortar or cement. It is important that mortar is dry before you start the fire for the first time. Be sure to build such a fire pit in dry weather and let it dry thoroughly. For walling, you can use unhewn and hewn natural or shaped stones, depending on your taste. For example, field stones, granite, paving stones, bricks orBricks, clinker, firebricks or quarry stones. To ensure that the wall is straight, drive auxiliary posts into the ground at regular intervals and string them with string. Check the wall regularly with a spirit level. Excess mortar is carefully removed with a spatula and a brush.
Turn a Fire Pit into a Grill – DIY
Such an open fire pit can be transformed into a grill in just a few simple steps. You can do something like this:
- Concrete three stable, sufficiently long metal rods into the ground.
- The ends meet directly above the fireplace.
- Connect the rod ends tightly with a fireproof material.
- The poles should be absolutely stable.
- Hang a swivel grill on it using a long, height-adjustable chain.
Tip
A very simple form of an open fire pit is the so-called Swedish fire, in which a tree trunk or a wooden stump that is at least 50 centimeters thick is scratched in the middle. This slowly burns from the inside. The Swedish fire may also only be set up on a fireproof surface.