D.I.Y. fire pit ideas

With the colder weather approaching I thought it’d be a great project to create a fire pit for outdoor entertaining. I recently saw a fire pit made out of stacked wheel drums and thought it looked simple and rather effective. Anyone got any ideas or images of some interesting fire pit designs? - Thanks!

Community manager's note: Check out How to build a fire pit for expert advice.

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Comments

MartyH

I'm thinking about one too.

Here's a couple of pics I put on the gallery yesterday. Looks pretty easy.

Yonnee

I work for an Earthmoving Spare Parts/Wreckers, and following a request from my son for an outdoor fire for a small party he's having, I found an old Motor Grader wheel rim in our wrecking yard that makes a perfect structure for a fire pit. The rim is 25"/65cm diameter by 20"/50cm high and the steel is all around 20mm thick, so it won't rust away any time soon. The centre of the rim (where it mounts to the Grader's axle) is about halfway up, so the fire sits well above the ground and I welded a thick steel plate to cover the centre bore hole.

I do like the look of the one in the photo that @MartyH put up with the stone surround...

kaylah_rose

Hey @aly,

Great post, got me thinking of some ideas and then that got me researching! I found a few ideas I think are interesting.

A simple idea that is not permanant, but could work if you just wanted it for a party is a Swedish Torch. It is literally just a log and kindling, but I think it's got a great effect. The steps for this are here.

Another idea I found was a fire pit using two tire rims and stacking them on top of eachother. I like this one because you can also use the top as a stove and cook using the fire, which I thought was great.

Were the wheel drum fire pits you mention similar to the washing machine drums like this one? They are quite effective and seems to also let out a fair bit light if you want to use your fire pit to lighten up the backyard at night as well.

Another idea I thought was different was fire glass. Looks quite unique. Not sure exactly what is involved in setting this up though and you would lose the traditional wood fire effect, but the look is interesting.

This is one where they have used fire ice in an old horse trough, which I thought was a neat idea.

Let us know how you go! Would love to know what design you decide to go with.

Kay

aly

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/863#Comment_863

Wow thanks for the suggestions @kaylah_rose! The one I saw recently was similiar to the tyre rim one you've posted. Looks cool and is very practical. I also love the image of the washing machine drum you've posted, might look into that one! The last two images are quite impressive but I think i'll stick to something basic!

Kermit

These look good for something less permanent:

I also liked this alternative for Star Wars fans...

Yonnee

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/886#Comment_886

Finally got around to taking a pic of the Wheel Rim Fire Pit...

Also used two of the legs from the old Monkey Bar set the kids haven't used in years as legs for a bench seat.

Joker

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62685#Comment_62685

This one uses concrete tree rings which should be pretty easy to get hold of.

Shane

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/93808#Comment_93808

If you can find an old washing machine drum from somewhere you are in business.

Yonnee

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113181#Comment_113181

I had a washing machine drum fire years ago, but discovered that the centre section of the base that connected the drum to the motor was alloy and didn't like the heat... 🙁

Shane

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113181#Comment_113181

Saw this one on Instagram over the weekend. Looks great and seems very easy.

AHoy

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124165#Comment_124165

I think the fire pit should double as a BBQ. So any design should have a grate of some kind so you can throw a steak or a few snags on. I like this design:

Thexmen

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/863#Comment_863

Hi Kay,

where did you find the fire ice?

i like the fire pits at BUNNINGS but don't like the smoke from timber fires.

i would like to convert one of these to a gas fire with the fire ice?

any ideas?

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62751#Comment_62751

Hi @Thexmen,

Welcome to Workshop and thanks for joining in the discussion. It's great to have you join the community. I hope you find the site to offer plenty of new ideas and information.

I'm sure @kaylah_rose or another member of the community can assist with tracking down fire ice, although a gas fire would obviously require a licensed plumber to install.

Thanks again,

Jason

kaylah_rose

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62751#Comment_62751

Hi @Thexmen

It doesn't seem that this product is widely available apparently. Not sure where you are located, however the Jetmaster site seems to nominate stores in every state that should stock fire glass (I found out this is the correct name).

Hopefully this helps!

I think eBay and Gumtree might have some products available as well.

Good luck!

Let me know how you go!

Joker

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/93850#Comment_93850

Quick tip for those building a fire pit or already using one. Make sure you have some marshmellows or a sausage handy. Not only are they delicious, they might also save you from a council fine. A lot of areas have local laws that prohibit open fires except for the purpose of cooking food.

ProjectPete

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124165#Comment_124165

Love fire pits! One of my fav things to do. Perfect to enjoy red wine and whisky next to. I find the things not designed be fire pits actually make the best ones - effective and unique. They tend to have a story. In saying that there are a few nice ones at your local Bunnings.

I am also a big fan of the Swedish Torch, a great convo starter too 😉

Yonnee

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113275#Comment_113275

@Joker has touched on a good subject. Even though your states fire authority determines when there are fire restrictions for each municipality, local councils can be a law unto themselves when it comes to putting in place their own rules and regulations. There may be local laws in place all year round. There is a provision in the CFA Act for allowing an open fire "for warmth or comfort" providing a few conditions are met...

http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/can/

These conditions and restrictions may differ in other states, so it would pay to check with your local fire authority.

Yonnee

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124204#Comment_124204

Similar to one of the photos @kaylah_rose put up, I made this one over the weekend for my Sister as a birthday present...

RIM FIRE PIT 001.JPG

Trying

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124165#Comment_124165

Wow !! Workshoppers on fire !! How fantastic it is to see such creativity. Thanks everybody for giving me another project idea for when my new deck is finished. Cheers

Shane

I see this month's Handyman Mag has a story on building a fire pit. Seems like they are becoming very popular all of a sudden.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1461#Comment_1461

Did you end up making a fire pit @aly? Or still on the to-do list?

Jason

aly

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63807#Comment_63807

Still on the to do list unfortunately @Jason

Kermit

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113181#Comment_113181

For those who like the washing machine drum look but can't find an old one, Bunnings is now selling something very similar - https://www.bunnings.com.au/glow-520-x-520-x-600mm-acheron-fire-pit_p3180659

Super_D

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124432#Comment_124432

My Fire PIt I used a truck rim and a car rim and welded them togeter... works super.....

2016-04-23 16.56.56.jpg

Kermit

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131679#Comment_131679

Looks terrific. And looks like its really roaring. Great work.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136095#Comment_136095

Visitors to this discussion might also be interested in these projects shared by Workshop community members:

The fire pit by @Ianna_2152

Fire pit on wheels by @swynne

Boba Fett fire pit

Death Star fire pit

Show me your sunken fire pits please @ProjectPete.

If you've been inspired to build your own fire pit, we would love to see it.

Jason

Rhys

One idea is to use an old hot water heater, it is quite a bit of work, but is very effective

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139117#Comment_139117

Visitors to this popular discussion should also check out @pformagg's fantastic fire pit here - https://www.workshop.com.au/t5/Outdoor-Living/Fire-Pit/m-p/16623

He used bricks as well as a washing machine drum.

Jason

Super_D

I made mine fire pit from a truck rim and a car rim welled together. I also weled some small square steel plates on the inside to cover the holes in the truck rim so the hot coals would not fall out. I Also made the area for the Fire pit, it was were we had an above ground pool. So I named the area Wasapool...... Have fun....

Kermit

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/4098#Comment_4098

Good work @Super_D. Looks like you can have a real roaring fire in there.

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