Tips for Making and Using a Backyard Fire Pit

Building a backyard firepit is a fun project and one that can really encourage us to get outside a little more often. They are particularly lovely in the early spring and autumn when temperatures are pleasant besides a fire, and mosquitoes aren’t as troublesome. Of course, a campfire in the summertime and winter can be a joy, too.

As nice as congregating around a fire can be, a firepit can be much more than that. It can be a great place to have a quiet evening cocktail or to have a party. It can be a wonderful catalyst for exploring new culinary skills or getting a nice garden started. In other words, after building that backyard firepit, it’s important to use it.

Before citing and constructing a firepit, it’s a good idea to think about the ways it might be used. This can help with positioning, adding additional features like a grill or patio, and getting family and friends fired up to join in on the fun.

Source: PhotoCrave Media/Youtube

Making a Backyard Firepit

When building anything, it’s important to think through it carefully to ensure that it gets used efficiently and appropriately. A firepit that is stuffed in the swampy back corner of the yard, where the mosquitoes like to hang out, probably isn’t going to be a great success. Instead, think about putting it somewhere convenient and allowing plenty of space for people to comfortably cuddle in around it.

Once the location has been realized, the firepit construction begins with choosing what material to use. This is usually done with flagstones, bricks, stones, and so on. Some people elect to use fire bricks for safety, which is not a horrible idea but probably not entirely necessary. The fire would need to be very hot to cause issues with these other materials.

For building a fire pit on the earth (the best option for that campfire feeling), it’s good to dig a hole about a foot deep and add six inches of stones for drainage in the bottom. This also helps to keep the fire out of the wind.

Then, depending on your skill level, stones or bricks can be dry stacked (not mortared) about a foot or so high. This helps to keep the wind off the fire as well as keeps the fire safely contained.

After that, it’s all about the extras. Is this a firepit surrounded by stumps? Does it get comfy chairs and a patio floor? Is it part of an outdoor cooking space? As relevant to the pit itself, the extras around it are going to be what really pulls us out there to get a fire roaring.

Source: Green Serene/Youtube

Using a Backyard Firepit

There are many ways to use a backyard firepit, and the more reasons we create to get out there, the more we are going to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Here’s what to do:

• Use it for heat: When the evenings are cool, and the weather is pleasant, use that firepit to create a little warmth and enjoy.
• Use it for light: Rather than putting on outdoor lights, start the fire and relax in some ambient lighting. It’s great for a bit of romance.
• Use it for cooking: Having a built-in grill or a grill that’ll sit comfortably above the coals can be great for cooking up some veggie kabobs. Or, sausages or chunks of tofu can be toasted on skewers. Or, a nice cast iron pot hovering above the fire can make for a delicious chili or stew. Cooking on the campfire is great fun.
• Use it to party: A firepit is ideal for entertaining family or friends. It’s a centerpiece to sit around and share stories, sing songs, or play games.
• Use it for mosquitoes: Campfire smoke helps to keep mosquitoes and other pests away, and this effect is even great with certain types of wood like pinyon pine and eucalyptus. Burning bundles of rosemary, sage, and other herbs can help as well.
• Use it for ash: Wood ash is inevitable when burning wood, and though people often toss it away, it is a great addition to gardens (similar to lime) and compost. It has loads of minerals that enhance the soil. Cutting and seasoning firewood at home is easy.
• Use it for happy hour: Happy hour is all about winding down at the end of the day. Sipping a nice cocktail or hot cup of tea while staring at flickering flames and listening to popping fire—That’s even more chill.

Source: Canadian Prepper/Youtube

Building a Good Fire

Learning the art of building a fire is yet another great part of having a firepit. Folks will be wowed by when one flick of a match—no lighter fluid or unsavory chemicals necessary—erupts into an amazing blaze that will set the night off right. There is just something about making fire that makes a person feel capable and in tune with nature.

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