A fire pit in a country house is an element that performs both a practical and aesthetic function. An outdoor fire pit will decorate the area, become a place for relaxation, and even allow you to cook food over the fire! You need to build a fire pit around the hearth, pave it with durable tiles or stone. Such a site will become not only a favorite place to relax, but also a place to safely light a fire.
Design and material options
The choice is quite wide. For a country hearth, any non-combustible materials are used: blocks, bricks, paving stones, paving slabs. You can make a structure from poured reinforced concrete, a well ring or a metal barrel or box.
A durable fire pit requires the use of quality materials, and the design is fundamental.
When food is not intended to be cooked on the fire, a simple design with the function of ordinary decor is performed. If cooking is provided, the structure is equipped with a grate. It is also equipped with additional elements for convenient installation of a cauldron or grill.
Recessed hearth
An example of the simplest option. But it should be installed, observing all safety rules, following the only condition of landscape design, representing a harmonious combination of elements.
The design of the hearth is made according to the shape of the site. Either round or square. The facing material must match the surrounding small forms.
The fire pit is buried in the ground with a small edge above the surface. This prevents water from flowing inside and washing away the soil.
The site is landscaped, furniture is installed, observing approved distances.
Ground or surface fire
Also refers to a simple option using an iron barrel or a welded metal box.
To paint the hearth, use heat-resistant paint. Fire-resistant silicone enamels are chosen. The barrel is sealed. This is its minus. The precipitation that falls into it evaporates. Because of this, the bottom of the barrel needs to be cut out and installed on a prepared site, from which the fertile layer has been removed and a sand or crushed stone cushion has been made. Heat-resistant tiles or stone are laid at the bottom.
Review of purchased kits
Ready-made outdoor hearth
Fire bowls and ready-made fire pits will be the optimal solution for a gardener who can afford such a purchase. Unfortunately, the pleasure does not fall into the cheap category. But if your budget allows, you can choose amazing designs.
The assortment of special stores with equipment for country holidays includes cast iron or ceramic hearths, barbecues, tandoors, beautiful spheres, bowls, ready-made designs for outdoor fireplaces, fire barrels and other vessels.
Bowls and spheres
Bonfire sphere
Bowls and spheres
- They are a bestseller. They have different diameters, depths, and are made of different alloys. Some are suitable for grilling.
- They are rounded compositions with metal carvings on a low or high base. The set includes lids, protective glasses, and tongs for turning over coals.
- The price range varies in the range from 7 thousand rubles. for an ordinary concrete bowl, up to 150 thousand rubles. for a unique design idea.
Street fires
Classic ready-made design
Street fires
- These are ready-made structures for installation in a specific location. They are not transported, not disassembled, and are used only for their intended purpose. The structure is dug into the ground, strictly following the instructions.
- Made of high quality metal, beautifully decorated.
- The cost of a finished fire pit starts from 80 thousand rubles.
Fire barrel
Fire barrel
Fire barrel
- It is convenient to use it instead of a barbecue. It is tall, has a small diameter, and the metal maintains a uniform temperature.
- You can buy the product at a price of 20 thousand rubles.
Braziers
Stylish grill design
Braziers
- For cooking meat or vegetables on skewers. The most convenient shape is rectangular, depth – from 25 cm.
- The upper walls of the vessel usually have notches for installing iron knitting needles.
- A simple, laconic product will cost 3-5 thousand, but the upper limit can be even more than 100 thousand.
Cooking utensils over a fire
Cauldron with frying pan lid
Cooking utensils over a fire
- Tandoors, cauldrons, frying pans, cast iron, flat stones for baking. These are utensils for outdoor cooking. It comes as a pleasant bonus to the complete set of a country fireplace.
- The cost of containers depends on their volume, manufacturer, and quality of the metal. The average price for a 15-liter pilaf cauldron with a lid is 4-5 thousand rubles.
- Over time, avid gardeners acquire useful accessories, outdoor frying utensils, and folding furniture. They pay attention even to small things, like all kinds of gratings, tongs, and hooks for hanging. They think over a design that includes a decorative woodpile, bright blankets, and mosquito nets.
Types of fire pits in landscape design
People get a fireplace near the house with a great love for cooking over an open fire. The hearth is an excellent alternative to barbecue and barbecue. You can use it as a home fireplace.
There are several types of fireplaces. The simplest type of fireplace is a brick or stone structure installed in an open area. Other types are more complex, but all of them can be done independently, showing imagination and not forgetting about safety.
Made of metal
Convenient, mobile fire pit. Quickly installed in the country garden. The bowl can be purchased ready-made, suitable for use. The set for the bowl is equipped with a poker, grill grate, lid, and other accessories. I often call a metal hearth a portable fireplace. The product can suit any style of landscape design based on the variety of bowls. Depending on the preferences of lovers of open home fires, bowls are purchased in open and closed form. Some people like a sphere or structure decorated with designer patterns.
Fire pit made from a metal barrel
Such a fireplace can be called an ideal budget option. As a rule, a large number of summer residents have metal barrels, and for many there are no problems with the question of how to make a fire pit in the country with your own hands.
The barrel with processed edges is completely dug into the ground. Or the container is partially hidden underground. The incoming part is decorated and painted with heat-resistant compounds. The fireplace can be considered ready for use.
Fire pit made from a washing machine drum
The basis for the hearth can be a drum from an old washing machine. An option related to the popular topic of how to make a fire pit in the country with your own hands.
It is worth remembering that the material for making the drum is stainless steel. That is why it resists the high temperature of a fire flame well. Holes in the drum allow air into the oven. The building around the hearth can be made of concrete, or made of brickwork. The homemade product is simple and at the same time original.
Made of brick
The brick structure of the hearth usually has a round shape. The logs are placed inside the structure and lit. Or they are laid out on a wire rack. If desired, you can additionally perform formwork and concrete it. After the concrete has hardened, the front side of the fireplace is decorated.
Fireplace on a summer cottage made of stones
The structure turns out to be bulky with a base buried in the ground. Triple the base either from stone or using any other fire-resistant material. Concrete or brick foundations are used. The bowls are installed with two elements. The metal bowl itself is complemented by external stone decoration.
Stone fire pits are stationary. They require a permanent location point. Relocation will require the installation of a new foundation.
How to make a fire pit out of concrete
The shape of the fire pit is square or round. For the last version of the hearth, old metal barrels of different parameters are often used. Rings are cut off in a certain number and size, which will represent the shape of the future hearth. After the concrete is poured and completely hardened, the metal form is cut off. A square concrete bowl is made from scraps of boards and plywood sheets. Pegs serve as fastening elements. Also, removable formwork can be secured with screws or nails.
Concrete block fire pit
Such a fireplace is made very quickly and does not present any difficulties.
The bottom circle is laid out from paving stones. Material with a slight protrusion. The laying is carried out so that gaps are formed between the tiles.
The layout of the top row represents smaller circles. The diameter between the inner walls of the blocks is one meter. This is followed by three rows of block masonry. To secure, the gaps are filled with concrete. The top layer is laid out with a diameter of approximately 80 cm.
Rules for site development
Convenient location of the fire pit on level ground
When setting up a modern fire pit, safety precautions must be observed. This will protect you from accidents. Protects children, gardens, buildings and fences.
The rules are simple:
- Maintain distance from country buildings, beds, bushes and trees. Keep in mind that strong winds can carry large flames up to 3 meters, and sparks even further
- Keeping this in mind, it is advisable to set up a fireplace at least 10 meters from houses and other buildings, 5 meters from plantings
- Make sure there are no overhanging trees or flammable structures over the fire
- Be sure to provide good drainage under the fireplace.
- Carefully control the stability and strength of the structure
- In case of rain, a canopy or even a roof is provided, which will protect the seats around the corner
- The ground surface must be flat and level. It is not advisable to settle on hillocks, ditches or lowlands
- The structure may be made from fire-resistant components. When burning, they should not emit toxic odors, decompose, or melt
- An irrigation system should be within accessible proximity: a water tank, sandbags, a water tap with a connected hose
At your dacha, you must have a fire extinguisher in case of an unexpected fire. It will help to quickly and efficiently extinguish any object.
Gazebo with fire pit
The location of the outdoor fireplace can be arranged in an open or closed gazebo. A mandatory element in this case is a chimney and an exhaust hood. Often such buildings are called Scandinavian houses. The design with a fire bowl inside resembles a hut or tent. Here you can relax comfortably with friends and cook delicious food. If the gazebo is closed, nothing will interfere with family relaxation or friendly gatherings. No rain, no wind, no snow.
Patio fireplace
This is not an electric fireplace, but such a fireplace is a great idea for a pleasant family or friendly holiday. A dacha with a recreation area is the dream of most owners of suburban areas. A patio with a fireplace can be installed anywhere on the site. It is carried out in the form of a separate open building or closed, adjacent to a house or other building.
This design is stylish, but quite expensive. Performed in different versions. One of them is a patio with a fire pit in the center. The area around is being developed. Comfortable chairs and tables are installed. The most important thing is compliance with safety measures.
Fire pit with grill photo examples
It is placed near the gazebo or moved to a covered seating area so that the grill is protected from precipitation.
The hearth design is made from a deep heat-resistant container with any shape. A mandatory cover is provided. All parts included in the design are heat-resistant. The product is made of concrete blocks and refractory bricks. They use metal, ceramics, and natural stones.
Sizing Guidelines
Setting up a relaxation area near the fire
The most common shapes are round or rectangular. The first is considered classic, and the second is convenient because it is easier to lay out yourself.
The optimal diameter of a round fire pit is 80-100 cm. The convenient size of a square hearth is 50*50 cm. The harmonious aspect ratio of a rectangle is 60*30 cm.
The depth of the foundation should be at least 25 cm. The same height of the drainage layer is maintained. Essentially, gravel is poured into the hole until it reaches ground level.
The perimeter of the foundation should protrude 10-15 cm beyond the fireplace. That is, it is dug in along the outer edge of the internal steel frame.
Fire pit in the garden photo
Building a fire pit is very simple. The main tool is a shovel. The hole is dug to a depth of half a meter. The solution is being prepared. Portland cement is mixed with sand.
Stones are laid out in the first row. Concrete gravy is made under them. Drainage is provided by a grate placed at the bottom or a metal sheet with holes.
After completion of the masonry, the space between the walls is filled. They use the remaining soil left after digging a hole.
Peculiarities
A brick hearth for a summer cottage has the following features:
- To get a solid structure, you need to dig a small depression at the site of the future structure and pour a strip foundation around the perimeter of the structure. It is recommended to reinforce the foundation with metal rods of small diameter (10-15 millimeters).
- At the bottom of the fire pit, it is recommended to make a layer of protective gravel 10-20 centimeters deep. The gravel will be used to drain water and also to absorb excess heat (so it doesn't heat up the ground around the fire pit). It is recommended to take gravel with small or medium size fractions.
- It is recommended to install the fire pit in two layers - on the inside you should install fire-resistant bricks that will not crack under the influence of heat. It can be covered with ordinary decorative brick on top to make the fire beautiful (for example, you can use classic red brick).
- It is recommended to use a building mixture for fixation. It is recommended to give preference to fire-resistant mixtures that will not crack under the influence of heat. Some people assemble a fire pit without using a building mixture - this option is allowed, but the resulting structure will not be very strong.
- In the design you need to look for several blower holes, which will be used to supply oxygen. For a medium-sized fire, four blowers will be enough, which will be located opposite each other in the corners of the structure. You can make a blower in different ways - for example, you can carefully punch holes using a drill or make recesses with a grinder in the brickwork immediately before installation. The blower is mounted on the lower bricks.
Note! It is imperative to make a blower, since the fire needs a source of oxygen for stable combustion.
Firewood storage facility
At a close distance from the fireplace there is a wooden stand and a canopy where firewood is stored. The structure is made of 20x40 mm boards using fastening metal corners or cut 45x45 mm bars. Screws are also required for assembly. To store logs, ventilation must be provided. The canopy protects from precipitation.
