For A Cozier Backyard, Build Your Fire Pit Campsite-Style

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Fire pits are staples for summer night gatherings or even kicking back with your family after a hard day's work. While you could warm up your patio with a highly rated table top fire pit from Amazon, there's nothing quite like the coziness or smell of a true campsite-style fire. Not to mention, it's possible to build one for next to nothing. You can create a simple backyard fire pit with any heat-safe material, such as rocks, fire-rated bricks, or metal rings. For a true campsite-style experience, your fire pit doesn't need to be fancy; in fact, a simple rustic design works quite well.

Before you get started, let's cover the basics of your material choice. If you choose rocks, it's important to use the right ones. Porous rocks like river rocks, sandstone, or limestone aren't good choices because they can trap moisture, causing them to crack and sometimes even explode when subjected to extreme heat. Instead, dense rocks like granite, marble, or lava rock are a safer bet. It's also a good idea to check local ordinances before getting started for fire rules specific to your location.

The first step in building a backyard fire pit is determining where you'd like it to be. You'll want a flat spot that's 25 feet or more away from anything flammable, like tree branches or the back of your house. There should also be enough room for seating nearby. Clear out any debris so that you have a blank space to work with. If you're using rocks to construct your fire pit, position them side by side, arranging them together as you see fit. Since rocks aren't uniform, your fire pit ring won't be a perfect circle, which is what gives it that rustic campsite vibe. With the rocks in place, you'll be ready to pull out your seating and start a campfire. No furniture yet? These four pointers for buying the perfect outdoor furniture will set you in the right direction.

If you don't have the right rocks to use for a safe backyard setup, there are still many DIY ideas for a cozy fire pit on a budget. For example, you can go campground style and opt for an inexpensive metal fire ring, skipping the stones altogether. This Xohuyd Galvanized Steel Fire Pit Ring from Amazon is 5 feet in diameter, stands 12 inches high, and costs less than $40. It may lack the rustic look of rocks, but it provides plenty of space for a cozy backyard fire.