Outdoor fireplaces provide warmth and camaraderie on cold nights, turning backyards into lively hangouts for gathering with friends and family. While building a professional-looking outdoor fireplace might seem expensive, there are numerous ways to create a functional and affordable one using readily available materials. Here’s how you can build an outdoor fireplace on the cheap.
1. Determine Your Location
The first step is to find the perfect spot for your DIY outdoor fireplace. It should be away from any structures, trees, or other flammable materials to ensure safety. Choose a flat spot where there is adequate space for your design, taking into account your personal comfort level as well as practicality.
2. Gather Materials
You don’t need fancy tools or expensive materials to build a basic outdoor fireplace. Gather stones, bricks, or any other fire-resistant material you can find for free or at a low cost. If you are feeling adventurous, consider using locally sourced logs as an unconventional decorative addition that doubles as seating for longer evenings by the fire. A small amount of cement and construction equipment may be necessary for stability and long-lasting construction.
3. Build the Framework
Sketch out your design and start building the base of your fireplace. If you are using bricks or stones, lay them out in a circular or rectangular pattern depending on your preference and space availability. Remember to reinforce the structure with cement where necessary for stability and durability.
4. Create a Firebox
Construct a firebox within your framework to hold the fire. This can be as simple as stacking bricks in a raised platform or using a steel container filled with sand or rocks. Ensure there is enough ventilation for the fire to breathe but not enough for wind to blow sparks around.
5. Add Features
You can make your DIY outdoor fireplace more cozy by adding seats or benches around it, creating a seating area that doubles as a fire pit. If you have extra materials, consider adding a simple roof or shelter to protect from rain or wind. You can also add logs or branches to the design for aesthetics and extra seating options.
6. Test Your Fireplace
After completing your DIY project, it’s time to test it out! Build a small fire to ensure everything is working as intended and there are no safety issues. Remember to use caution and safety measures when building and using any fire structure.
Now that you know how to build an outdoor fireplace cheap, you can enjoy the warmth and camaraderie of outdoor fires without breaking the bank. These DIY tips can be modified further depending on your creativity and budget, making each outdoor fireplace unique and tailored to its owner’s needs.
FAQs:
Q: What materials should I use for my outdoor fireplace? A: You can use stones, bricks, logs, or any other fire-resistant material available to you at a low cost or for free.
Q: How do I ensure my outdoor fireplace is safe? A: Ensure your location is safe from flammable materials, follow local guidelines on construction and fire use, create barriers from flammable objects or property structures and make sure your fireplace is equipped with adequate ventilation and is positioned away from wind gusts that could cause sparks to fly around. Always use caution when building and operating any fire structure. Keep a portable fire extinguisher nearby at all times when the fire is active just in case of any mishap.
Q: What size should my outdoor fireplace be? A: The size of your outdoor fireplace will depend on your space, needs, and personal preference. You should build it large enough to fit your desired seating area around it but also small enough to fit within your budget and construction capabilities while still ensuring adequate ventilation for the fire. If you plan to cook on your outdoor fireplace make sure it’s big enough to accommodate a portable stove or cooking grid. Also take into account safety concerns with respect to proximity to neighboring properties and safety zones between flammable items such as trees and shrubs nearby so that you don’t create a hazardous situation during use of the fire pit.
