Tips and inspiration for the perfect garden fire pit

Are you planning to build a garden fire pit? Then we have some great tips on how to make one cheaply. A fire pit belongs in every garden, as you will surely agree. Of course, it does not have to be used only for toasting sausages; you can also use it, for example, to burn garden waste. However, given the ongoing drought, we do NOT RECOMMEND this option.

Safety comes before comfort

You need to make safe not only the immediate surroundings of the fire pit but the wider area as well. There should be nothing flammable within at least 1 metre of the outer edge of the fire pit, and nothing that could be ignited by heat or sparks within three metres. Keep a bigger distance from flammable meadow or grass, trees and shrubs, and buildings. Sometimes this is a little inconvenient. But comfort must give way to safety, not the other way round.

Granite garden fire pit

If the spot where you place the fire pit is more or less level, consider granite paving. A circular shape looks very attractive, and so does a fire pit set in the middle. Granite setts have become quite a bit more expensive, but why not. The size of the setts is up to you: they can be small setts, large ones or even offcuts, which look great and are cheaper but take a lot of work.

However, it is not enough to dig a hole and lay the setts in it. You need to create a sub-base, or bed, which can also be made of sand. Since you will not be driving a car over the setts, sand will be perfectly sufficient.

Fire pit on a slope

If your garden is on a slope, it is no problem for a natural fire pit. You just need to think it through and put in more work. You could try small granite edging stones.

Get the seating right too

The seating around the fire pit is an important “detail” of the whole project. Nobody will force you to bring the whole project to perfection, but you have to admit it will look better than if you set out white plastic chairs. You do not need to invest a fortune; be a little creative, as inspiration is all around us. Railway sleepers are fashionable these days, and you can make lots of unusual things from them, including seating for the fire pit. You can also make seating from pallets or old bricks. And let us not forget wooden logs or stumps.

Covering the fire pit

If you build a fire pit with raised edges, we recommend making a made-to-measure lid that you can put over the fire pit whenever it is not in use and, in an instant, you have a stylish little table for your drinks.

Brick fire pit

Sitting together in the garden in good company is a wonderful thing. It is even more pleasant by a fire pit that can also be used as a barbecue. It is an alternative to a fire bowl or fire basket. Flames and glowing embers will be safe in it.

As the location, choose a secluded spot sheltered from the wind. This reduces the risk of sparks flying and protects your neighbours from smoke.

If you put safety first and position it well, it will serve you for decades.

After reading our article, take a look, for example, at how to choose a wood-burning stove, building a natural fence, or how to follow a gluten-free diet.