Firepit Question

[SkylineAcres16]

I'm looking for recommendations on how to shore up this hand-stacked rock firepit. Right now it is just rocks stacked with no mortar or anything. Inevitability people rest their feet on it and the rocks fall off. I would like to do something without un-stacking the firepit. I was thinking about mortar but don't really know how to squeeze it out into the crevices (think caulk gun). I was also thinking about landscape construction adhesive. Let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks!

 

[kcflhrc]

Mortar or adhesive will not last and the adhesive could put off bad fumes and or catch fire

 

[hosspuller]

Provide a couple of footrests LOL Or drive some rebar around the rocks to hold them.. The rebar could be foot rests too.

Construction adhesive doesn't like high temperatures. Unless you get some of NASA's rocket stuff.

 

[/pine]

Just a suggestion...
If the rocks are clean you could make a ring of reinforcing out of something like hog fence etc...then make a mortar/stucco mix using Portland, sand and fire clay as per the directions on the fire clay (be sure to use a bonding agent)...with a float sponge work the material through the wire mesh between the rocks until it's thick enough to cover the reinforcing...patch any expansion cracks if they develop with the same mix...

To clarify...the above should be on the inside of the rocks (fire side)...

 

[PILOON]

No easy fast way to do it in my opinion.
Just bite the bullet and mix up a rich batch of mortar and do it over.

Maybe some wire mesh, like stucco mesh, and stakes around the outer perimeter might solve the problem.

 

[Egon]

Easiest is filling in the centre and then covering with large flat rocks. Puts the fire up in the air so it burns better. Fire on a pedestal it could be called. Much more ambient than a fire in a hole!

 

[gsganzer]

You could try mortar in a grout bag.

 

[MF RED in MT]

I'm looking for recommendations on how to shore up this hand-stacked rock firepit. Right now it is just rocks stacked with no mortar or anything. Inevitability people rest their feet on it and the rocks fall off. I would like to do something without un-stacking the firepit. I was thinking about mortar but don't really know how to squeeze it out into the crevices (think caulk gun). I was also thinking about landscape construction adhesive. Let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks!View attachment 650618

We are limited to a legal fire pit ring of a maximum 3' diameter (larger fires requires a burn permit with day/time limits with daily activation of permit when allowed), so I had a metal shop make one for me out of 1/8" thick A36 material x 16" tall.

I then placed my rocks on the outside of the ring, but I did not have many flat type of rocks, so I think I used ready made sack of grouting to lock in the rocks.

Looks ok, but the light colored grey of the grout would not be my first choice if I were to do it again.

The fire pit rocks have not needed any adjustment in 11 years.

KC

 

[jmc]

Easiest is filling in the centre and then covering with large flat rocks. Puts the fire up in the air so it burns better. Fire on a pedestal it could be called. Much more ambient than a fire in a hole!

I like that idea. Might be able to duck the smoke sometimes too.

 

[buickanddeere]

Some Districts are banning all open fires at the moment .

 

[aczlan]

Looks about the right size to drop a tractor rim into. Try your local tractor dealership or ag tire dealer and see if you can get a rusted out rim to drop into the middle.

Aaron Z

 

[denchen]

Would putting a drum slightly smaller than the inner hole in the middle, then pouring a mix of fire clay, in between the drum and stones work. And as a after thought, what about mixing in say some fibre glass fibres in with the clay. I`ve no idea if it would work, I`ve not seen a firepit.....

 

[dougtrr2]

Build bigger fires to keep their feet away.
I think any long term solutions are going the involve taking it all apart and starting over. If you are committed to mortar, take it apart and do it right. If you have access to more rocks I would try to find some larger flat rocks. Then rebuild the pit with loose rocks, no mortar and top it with flat rocks. Make it so the flat rocks are solid and won't fall off. Let's us know when the next wienie roast is.

Doug in SW IA

 

[Egon]

Consider using an angle grinder with a concrete blade, hammer and chisel to shape the rocks for a dry fit. Done properly it will last and look much better than grouted rock.

The rocks may cut much easier than you think. If the rocks are larger add a hammer drill and feathers and wedges for really nice cracks.

 

[dalola]

I like it as it is. Is it so awful just putting the rocks back?