Anyone ever built an outdoor fireplace?

[Glockman85]

Thinking of doing my own outdoor fireplace. I've seen kits with an insert you rock or brick around to your desired look. Wondering if any of you guys out there have done your own? Think I will just go with wood burning don't want to mess with running gas. If you have any info you could offer or recommendations I would appreciate it!

 

[Wormydog1724]

Be careful.

 

[Bob Sanders]

We just stacked sandstone to make a fire pit. But I live in Kentucky, it's against the law to have anything fancy if more than one car in your yard is on concrete blocks.

 

[DoctorJJ]

I thought having more than one car on blocks was being fancy???

 

[foghorn918]

I thought more than 1 car on blocks was a sign of wealth!

 

[drmitchgibson]

I poured a concrete pad in the backyard, and have been building walls with bricks left over from home construction. The pad is sloped, like a patio, so water will run off. Once I have the general shape in place, I'll go back in and line it with firebrick. I have a fire bowl that will set in it, and may end up building something more formal. Also, it seems like adding some tabs to lay a grill across for barbecue is definitely going to happen.

 

[dennishoddy]

I don't have one, but do want one.
My uncle built one years ago that had a bbq area on one side, and a smoker on the other side that could accomedate 1/2 beef.
Every time I go by the OKC rock suppliers, and look at the outdoor grills they make, I want one even more.

 

[jeffhughes]

I put them in a few times when I was in the decorative concrete business.

Unless you have fairly extensive masonry experience, I'd pay another grand and let a pro build it for you.

You'd get the best price by buying the materials yourself and finding a crew of amigos to build it...

 

[jtischauser]

I had one at my current house and they are going to build on e at my new house too. They look great but its too damn hot out in Oklahoma to sit by one with a fire going. I usually just lit it for the cool factor at a evening pool party. When it was cold enough to need a fire its too cold to sit outside. LOL!

The old one had just wood. The new one will have gas which will light wood real fast. If its a PIA I won't do it which is what lighting a fire you didn't plan to sit around long became.


Your'e welcome to go out an look at the one at my old house for ideas.

 

[dennishoddy]

Mine will have a propane burner to assist the wood getting hot enough to put off heat as well. Some evenings, just the propane will be enough. We love to sit outside in the evenings.

 

[skibum]

Yes, built one myself. It came out fantastic. My boys and I dug out the area by hand, we bought the river rock, pavers, and the brass Warming Trends burner from a local dealer. Had a plumber run the gas line out to the site of the pit. We then assembled everything ourselves. We picked out the rock, the pavers, was not a kit. It was quite easy to do, just manual labor. I love the smell and ambiance of a wood fire pit but the gas one is so convenient and easy especially if you are just going to sit by it for short period of time. If we had a wood one we would use it 1/10 as much. If you decide to go gas, don't get a cheap stainless burner. You definitely want a quality brass burner. They come in many shapes, sizes and BTU ratings. Pardon my furry supervisors, every job has a foreman. The picture of the flames is before I arranged the logs on the lava rock. Had the stainless cover made to keep rain/snow from getting in the burner and the dogs from running off with the logs.

 

[dennishoddy]

Nice job! Love those job superintendents.
This seasons project is to take out the inground pool in the back yard. We never use it anymore and it's a pita to maintain.
That will clear the way for a covered outdoor kitchen with a firepit that can run gas or wood.