[titan7]

So building a fire pit with a concrete footing and using 8 " cinder block for the structure, will put stone veneer on outside and on top cap. 36" center and about 5" in diameter.

Questions:
1. Do I need a drain at the bottom or just rock for drainage? If a drain is needed shouldn't this be built after the concrete deck is installed? Otherwise what good is a drain tied into drain lines if there is dirt around the drain? I was thinking filling the bottom with rock 2/3 to the top, then fire ring, the lava rock.

2. Do I need fire brick on the inside? Concerned cinder block might explode if wet?

3.if the center section is 36" in diameter, do I use a 36" ring or 24"?


Thank you

 

[Windows on Wash]

Clean aggregate that has a bit of a dry well effect to it seems to handle all the water you can throw at it.

I have never seen one explode as they heat pretty evenly and can dry out rapidly.

Can tell you about the last part, but I would guess the larger ring.

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

dont use cinder block, they will crack and fall apart, they are not fire rated, unless your going to line the interior on the fire pit with fire brick made just for fireplaces and wood stoves..you can just leave 1 inch round holes at the bottom of the brick or stone that the sides are made of, they will also help with combustion air at the bottom of the fire..you can use old paper towel tubes to mortar around for the holes...you can just pour a small footing for the walls and no concrete in the middle so water can drain down..either way you should have the air holes at the bottom, they will be small enough you wont get any embers blowing out of them..

 

[Bondo]

3.if the center section is 36" in diameter, do I use a 36" ring or 24"?

Ayuh,.... Is this a Gas firepit,..??

1. Do I need a drain at the bottom or just rock for drainage?

What's yer native soils like,..?? do puddles disappear, Quickly,..??

 

[jomama45]

If you have sandy-ish soils that perculate water very well, just clear stone should be fine to allow rain water to disappear. In areas like "here", where there's clay and frost cycles, you need a drain run to air typically.

It sounds like a gas firepit. The steel ring will be fine w/o firebrick, I prefer a small gap between the two.