Building safe fire pit brings enjoyment, peace of mind
By Gary Raham
North Forty News
After building fires for years on our mountain property, my wife and I
were a bit irked when the Crystal Lakes Association implemented fire pit
specifications that our ring of rocks failed to meet. But we also knew
that a hot cinder from a carelessly built fire could quickly decimate acres
of beautiful mountain scenery and threaten lives and property.
With a combination of purchased and "found" materials, my son-in-law and
I were able to create an attractive, safe and relatively cheap pit that
doubles as an effective grill and oven for burgers, potatoes, "some mores"
and all those other campfire staples.
Feel free to embellish our plans to create your perfect pit.
Requirements:
- The pit had to be a permanent structure with the base and sides constructed
of rock, metal, masonry or other nonflammable materials.
- Pit length/width/diameter could not exceed 36 inches.
- Depth of the pit had to be no less than 16 inches (above and below ground
combined).
- The pit needed a cover constructed out of non-flammable material that
could prevent embers from escaping and not blow away in the wind.
- The pit had to be constructed in a well-controlled area without overhanging
branches and a safe distance from flammable materials. The area immediately
around the pit had to be cleared of leaves, pine needles and other flammable
debris.
Our solution: We purchased a cast-iron fire ring from JAX Farm and Ranch for $81. The
ring has a detachable arm holding a grill that swings over the pit. The
fire ring is 28 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep.
Our son-in-law scrounged about 30 patio bricks, which we stacked in three
layers to serve as a foundation beneath the fire ring. This brought the
depth of the pit to 16 inches.
We staggered each layer of bricks so that there were gaps for airflow.
We positioned the bricks so that the ring rested on the outside edge, leaving
a narrow shelf on the inside of the ring. (Patio bricks are typically 4x8x2
inches and cost about 10 cents each.)
We found a welder in Wellington (Winick Farms Inc.) to cut a circular
cast iron cover to fit the ring. Allan Winick treated the metal to keep
it from rusting and attached two handles. (Cost: $60). The lid is heavy
enough to not blow away, and it helps make the pit an excellent oven for
roasting or baking.
We collected rocks from our property, mixed a bag of quick setting masonry
cement, and built a rock wall around our ring and brick edifice, making
sure there were plenty of gaps between rocks to feed the fire with air.
The fire lights easily, as the rock/iron walls block the wind. The fire
burns contentedly with excellent draft. The makers often lounge around
in captain's chairs with their feet on the rocks, eating divinely grilled
dogs and graham cracker s'mores dripping with chocolate and marshmallow.
Hot embers lie safely imprisoned. What more could you ask of a campfire?
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