Building a cobblestone fire pit is fairly quick and easy. You don't have to be an experienced craftsman to do this. But it is important that you also think about security.
It's hard to imagine a garden without a fireplace. Here you can spend cozy hours with a crackling fire, bread on a stick and telling stories. Fireplaces can be built in many different ways. In a previous post, we once put together 20 fire pit ideas. In this post, we want to focus specifically on building a cobblestone fire pit.
Often there are still stones left over from various paving works, which can be optimally used to build a fireplace out of them. You don't have to be a skilled craftsman to pull this off. The only important thing is that you take a special look at security.
Set Location
Before you start the actual construction, the location must be determined. Planning is particularly important, because open fire is always associated with dangers, which must of course be ruled out from the start.
The fireplace should be placed in an open spot in the garden. Anything that can easily ignite must not be in the immediate vicinity. This applies to trees, shrubs and perennials as well as to any building. The residential or garden house should therefore be at least 80 meters away from the fireplace.
Also make sure there are no gas or power lines near the fire pit.
Fireplace variant 1 - explained step by step
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If you still have a few paving stones left and would like to build a fireplace from them, you can do it very easily with just a few simple steps and without much know-how. All you need is:
- a spade
- Cobblestones and
- some sand
Step 1:
First measure the hearth anddig out the area with a spade. Dig about ten centimeters deep into the ground. The resulting hole is now filled with sand.
» Attention: Pebbles are less suitable, there is a risk that the stones will burst under the influence of heat.
Step 2:
You can now layer the paving stones around the fireplace that has been created. These not only form a decorative finish, but also have a practical function. They prevent the fire from spreading beyond the boundaries of the fireplace. You can now layer the firewood on top of the filled sand and the simple shape of the fireplace made of paving stones is complete.
Fireplace variant 2 - explained step by step
If you want to build your fireplace a little more stable and solid, we recommend the brick version.
Proceed as described above:
❶ Determine dimensions of fireplace
❷ Cut out fireplace with spade
❸ Fill fireplace with sand
❹ Stack cobblestones around fireplace
In addition, you additionally mortar the stones. This gives the whole thing stability and a unified picture. Once the mortar has dried, the fireplace can be put into operation.
Fireplace variant 3 - explained step by step
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This fire pit looks particularly attractive, but is a bit more complex to set up. This time, the paving stones do not serve as the finishing edge of the fireplace, but rather fill the fireplace, resulting in a mosaic-like image. A steel protective ring is used here so that the fireplace is protected and closed.
The sheet metal has to be cut back and welded for this. If you don't dare to do this or don't have the necessary tools, you should have the sheet steel adjusted directly at the dealer.
» Tip: Sheet steel is easier to machine compared to stainless steel.
Material
❍ Sheet Steel
❍ Round Steel
❍ Paving Stones
❍ Sand
❍ Gravel
❍ Concrete
❍ Mortar
Tool
❍ Sheet Steel
❍ Round Steel
❍ Paving Stones
❍ Wheelbarrow
❍ Sand
❍ Gravel
❍ Concrete
❍ Mortar
First select the appropriate location according to the criteria already mentioned. Also make sure that the floor is level so that the water does not fall on itstone floor can drain well.
Instructions:
❶ Determine the dimensions
❷ Cut off the area with the spade
❸ Compact the soil
❹ Fill in the gravel
❺ Fill in the sand
❻ Horizontally Create surface
❼ Place paving stones
❽ Spread mortar
❾ Wipe up mortar
❿ Apply steel ring
So that you really cut off a circular piece of lawn, make a kind of compass out of a nail and a piece of string. This allows you to set the center point and draw a circle of the desired radius. Now the circular piece of lawn is cut off with the spade.
» Tip: So that the excavation does not soil and damage the lawn, have a wheelbarrow ready.
The hole is dug about 35 centimeters deep. The subsoil must then be compacted. Use a tamper for this. Coarse gravel is now placed on the ground. Now cover the gravel layer with sand. This subsoil must also be compacted accordingly.
Before you start laying the paving stones, you should check whether the surface is really straight. You can easily check this with a spirit level. It is also important to calculate the height of the paving stones. The gravel and sand layer must not be too high, but also not too low, after all the paving stones should form a level with the surrounding lawn. You may need to touch up here before paving.
You can choose stones of different sizes for the paving. For example, design the edge with large paving stones and use smaller stones in the middle. This gives the mosaic pattern additional expression. When you have finished paving the pattern, the mortar is mixed with an agitator. Use a little more water than usual so that the mortar can be washed well into the joints of the paving stones. Now start working the masonry mortar into the joints with a sponge. Keep wiping until the mortar has penetrated the joints and the bricks are clean.
Once the mortar has hardened, you can place the cut and welded steel ring on the edge as protection and demarcation and the fireplace can be put into operation.
Is a fire pit allowed?
It cannot be assumed without reservation whether a fireplace is generally permitted. If you would like to build larger fireplaces, ask the building authority to be on the safe side or find out more from the respective municipal regulations. Who is in the allotment gardenwant to create a fireplace should study the allotment garden regulations. Since allotment gardens are often rather narrow and the plots are directly adjacent to each other, the construction of fireplaces is often prohibited due to the safety of the facility. Furthermore, the smoke development could become a disruptive factor.
Use fireplace safely
The fireplace is finished and should now be inaugurated as soon as possible. Please bear in mind that open fire always harbors dangers and excessive smoke development can disturb the peace in the neighbourhood.
» Reading tip: Fire bowls or fire baskets - you should pay attention to this
The burning of very fresh or wet wood, for example, develops into true columns of smoke. Wood that has been painted, varnished or otherwise treated should also not be burned. Toxic gases can be produced.
It's better not to use the fire pit on a windy day. Dangerous flying sparks can develop. Especially in dry summers, surrounding trees or buildings can quickly catch fire.
Coming soon:
- only burn dry and untreated wood
- do not use fire accelerants
- Keep a safe distance
- Always supervise fire
- Prepare extinguishing agent
- Let the fire burn down completely