Any ideas for a fire pit??

[HCJtractor]

I would like to build a nice fire pit to sit on my concrete patio. I saw some cool ones on welding forums. One used a large cast iron "bowl" from a quarry. Another used some sort of brake drum. I would like it to be big enough to hold 20" logs or so and deep enough to contain them. You know, something 5 or 6 people could sit around on those cool nights. Any ideas what I could find to use for the drum? Are any brake drums this big? I need to dig around at a scrap metal yard. (Creating this would help justify my welder purchase for my wife!)

 

[Egon]

Just make raised area with an edge using concrete blocks, the centre filled with sand and all topped of with concrete sidewalk blocks. Gives a nice flat area for elevated fire and to sit around. :thumbsup:

It's a little different concept but once you have a chance to see a raised fire hill in action on a nice summer evening you may change your mind.

 

[GGB]

I've got a traditional cut stone ring style fire pit, but I'm getting ready to relocate it further away from the house. We haven't used it because every fire pit I've been around always had way too much smoke on one side or the other-usually the side I'm sitting on. So I'm thinking of constructing a metal cone with a chimney tall enough hoping to draw the smoke away and above folks standing around the fire pit regardless of the direction of the wind. Like you, it would give me a chance to practice my welding skills and impress my bride!

I'm thinking of having the cone be on metal poles (3 or 4) which would set on the inside of the rock ring, and possibly use expanded metal screen with a door section to load the wood.

Also would like to put a propane burner in the bottom with a quick connect hose and fitting to make it easy to start. From my fireplace experience, I think it would help the fire pit draw/draft better depending on the wind.

I'm interested in hearing what other TBN's are suggesting for your project.

GGB

 

[Scott in IN]

I don't know if you are really looking for a good excuse to fire up the welder but we had real good luck with one of those portable fire pits that we got at a big box store.

Walmart.com: Landmann Heatwave Outdoor Fire Pit and Cooking Grate: Patio Decor (something like this one)

I've also seen some pits made from semi truck rims.

 

[Sandlot]

Old washing machine drums work great.

 

[Fred Barbour]

HCJ Tractor:

What I use is a discarded pressure tank for a well system. Just go down to the local shop that provides well services, pumps etc. They will likely have a graveyard full of them. The old style ones have a metal base, the newer ones are now on a plastic base.

Buzz cut it off to the desired height, remove the rubber bladder, cut out the big bolt on the bottom, drill about six half inch holes around the edge near the bottom, install a grate (weld it in), cut down a portion of the top about six inches down and about 20 inches across to put in the wood while the top grate is on when cooking your steaks!!

They work great, they are free (with a bit of cutting) and with the metal stand are moveable when lit and it dosen't mark the grass. I even drilled two holes at the top on either side so I can move it with bale hooks when the wind changes!!

Fred

 

[CurlyDave]

I like the chimney idea -- anything that reduces or redirects smoke is a great idea.

Sort of reminds me of those Mexican outdoor fireplaces, made of terra cotta.

I helped a friend install one a couple years ago -- his was a metal ring about 40" diameter, maybe 12" high just set in a pit in the earth. I dug a trench with the backhoe so he could put in a drain to lead rainwater out of the bottom of the pit.

 

[TNTractor1]

Here is one I am going to build... Looks pretty simple. I might modify it some:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6XQUuMxcHc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[Don87]

I like the chimney idea -- anything that reduces or redirects smoke is a great idea.

Sort of reminds me of those Mexican outdoor fireplaces, made of terra cotta.

I helped a friend install one a couple years ago -- his was a metal ring about 40" diameter, maybe 12" high just set in a pit in the earth. I dug a trench with the backhoe so he could put in a drain to lead rainwater out of the bottom of the pit.

They had those last year at Lowes

 

[boggen]

what ever way you set it up. make it easy to remove old ashes via old flat ended shovel. and dealing with water.

as far as something to place logs on. i would suggest some rebar. 3/8" to 1/2" for creating a grating, with some legs on it, those coals can get fairly hot. and with enough weight can bend or even warp many gratings.

i would suggest some way to allow air in, low on the side or in the bottom if unit is being held off the ground via some legs.

folks have made many 55 gallon steal drums into wood burners.

============
at another house, i put in a fire pit next to a lake. and ended up digging down i want to say almost 2 feet. put some rock in bottom, and then placed concrete 8x8x16 blocks into the ground. then used some concrete and stones to create a ring around it.

there was some water issues that had to be dealt with, and wanted a nice hard bottom that could be scraped with a shovel to clean out. and also wanted a sturdy side that could be stepped on. to clean it out.

the rocks in bottom and concrete blocks, were more like a DIY make shift french drain for the fire pit. to deal with water.

==========
in my moms cabin, she has a old wood burner. that has 2 spots on top like hot metal plates. to cook on. works out pretty nice like a 2 burner stove.