Add A Fresh Layer Of Gravel
Add more gravel every two to four years when it thins out. Spread it around the patio and level it. Ensure its well layered to prevent water from accumulating and promote proper drainage.
There you have it! If you adhere strictly to the maintenance tips, youll realize that maintaining a pea gravel patio isnt labor-intensive.
Rocks Not To Use In A Fire Pit
Weve already discussed pea gravel a bit, but you may be wondering why exactly it is porous. Most pea gravel is made up of small or large river rocks crushed down to pea-size. These rocks often include sandstone, limestone, and basalt.
A good rule of thumb when considering fire pit stone is to stay away from river rocks. These smooth stones big or small have a tendency to trap water that can heat and expand faster than the rock can handle, causing a crack or explosion. Some other stones to avoid:
After With Fire Pit Seating And Walk
With a new fire pit seating area to anchor the fire pit, along with pretty planters, a new patio rug, and fresh flowers, I couldnt be happier with my patio and fire pit!
I still have some things I am planning, like mulch around the path with flowersand a sunshade over the patio with a zippered screen . Im also planning to put in an in-ground garden to go with my DIY raised garden beds that I built last spring!
The best thing about building the DIY fire pit last year was being able to spend the day with my middle son
and the part about Part 2 of the fire pit this year is that Ill be able to spend time with my family sitting around that fire pit, enjoying the summer with vegan marshmallows! .
Love this project? Click here to save it on Pinterest!
Have you been wondering how to build a DIY fire pit with a stone walkway and a seating area in your backyard? Well, you can do it yourself over a weekend, and it will bring many years of memories with your family and friends!
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Add Retaining Wall For Garden Bed
I wanted to create a clear division between the garden bed and the pea gravel patio. A short retaining wall will keep the spaces separate, but doesn’t block the flow between the two areas.
The first layer of retaining wall blocks is even with the paver edging and the concrete walkway. I totally lucked out and got a perfect fit without having to cut any pieces or adjust the edging!
That ridge along the top locks into a corresponding valley in the capstone blocks. Offset the top so each one straddles two of the base blocks.
Now I could fill in the garden bed behind the retaining wall with some of the dirt I dug out of the patio area!
Can I Use River Rock In My Fire Pit
Yes, you can use river rock in your fire pit, but there are a few things to consider before doing so. First, river rock can be quite smooth, which means it can roll out of the fire pit easily. This can be a safety hazard, as well as a annoyance if youre constantly having to replace the rocks.
Its best to use river rock that has a more rough surface so it stays in place better. Second, river rock can absorb heat from the fire, which can cause the rocks to cracked or even explode. Its important to let the rocks cool completely before adding more wood to the fire, and to never use more than a few rocks at a time.
Finally, river rock can be difficult to clean, as ash and soot can quickly build up on the smooth surface. Its best to clean the rocks after each use, and to avoid using them if the fire pit is dirty.
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Using Harder Types Of Rocks Will Be Better
Youre going to be far less likely to encounter issues if you choose to use harder types of rocks. There are many different rock types out there that can work well enough for a fire pit.
Some of the better rocks that you could choose to use include dense rocks such as slate, granite, and marble. The density of these rocks makes it unlikely that they will absorb enough water to explode when they get heated up to high temperatures.
It isnt impossible for these rocks to explode, but its unlikely that you would have this happen in your fire pit. This means that most people consider using hard rocks such as this to be perfectly fine.
If youre going to place a rock in your fire pit, then it should probably be this type of hard rock. You wont have to worry as much and youll be able to just focus on enjoying your fire pit to the fullest.
How Do You Stop Lava Rocks From Popping
Its because your lava rocks have water inside them that theyre exploding in your fire pit. Like a sponge, lava rocks are porous. Water can become trapped inside the rocks if they are damp. The water turns to steam when the lava rock is heated.
It expands when it turns to steam. The waters expansion can crack up the lava rock, causing it to explode. Wet boulders can erupt in a fire. To prevent lava rocks from exploding in your fire pit,
Follow these simple steps:
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Adding Gravel + Stepping Stones
When the border and weed fabric were installed, it was time to add the gravel. We opted for pea gravel, as it was smaller than bulky river rock, and easier to walk on. We also chose pea gravel over regular gravel, because it was softer on bare feet, with less risk of sharp stones!
However, weve been told that regular gravel settles into itself better than pea gravel, gradually closing gaps for a more secure fit. The type you use is completely up to you and your preferences!
We purchased bagged gravel, and spent two days unloading them in the backyard from our car. Our first trip we ordered 20 bags, which was half of what we actually needed! We had to make a return trip to the store, and ended up purchasing 40 bags in total. Even then, well probably buy five more bags in the future, to fill in some low spots.
To keep the fire pit on a level surface, we chose three stepping stones, and added them on the weed fabric before we filled it in with the gravel. This gave our portable fire pit a solid surface for the legs to stand on.
Will Pea Gravel Explode In Fire Pit
Yes, it is correct. In a fire pit, pea gravel can explode. Pea gravel is permeable, which means it may hold water. The pressure created when the water heats up and turns to steam can cause the little rocks to explode.
The same can be said for various porous rocks, which Ill discuss further down. Ill also give you some safe options, so keep reading! Its easy to get carried away and buy some inexpensive pea gravel to surround your fire pit.
In fact, if this is your first fire pit, you may not be aware that some rocks and gravel can combust when heated. After all, gravel isnt exactly a burning material.
Pea gravel is a great option if youre merely seeking to cover bare dirt around your fire pit. However, its best not to use it inside or next to the fire pit, where it could get hot.
Read Also: Backyard Fire Pit Patio Ideas
What Rocks Should Not Be Used In A Fire Pit
When shopping for rocks to use in a fire pit, it is important to avoid certain types of rocks and stones. Rocks that are prone to explosive fragmentation should never be used in a fire pit, as they can create a potential hazard.
These include rocks and stones such as pumice, limestone, and certain types of sandstone. In addition, any rocks that may contain metal should not be used, as they can spark and increase the risk of a fire hazard.
Rocks that can rapidly heat up, such as lava rocks, should also not be used in a fire pit, as this could cause them to crack or even explosively fragment. Some other stones and rocks, such as granite and marble, can also be hazardous as they contain quartz which can cause the fire to spread quickly.
It is generally best to stay away from these rocks when building a fire pit.
Diy Pea Gravel Fire Pit Patio
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Learn the simplest method to create a DIY fire pit patio one that you can accomplish in a single weekend! This pea gravel fire pit is a gorgeous, welcoming addition to our backyard.
Our new gravel fire pit area is fresh and functional, and was so easy to put together. If we can do it, so can you!
We are so thrilled with the results that we couldnt wait to share it with you. Were giving you the simple steps we took to create it and photos of the finished results!
Welcome to our new pea gravel fire pit! We couldnt be happier with the way it turned out, and it has added so much function to a previously unused part of our backyard.
If youre dying to add a fire pit area to your yard, but youre intimidated by all the complicated DIY projects out there this one is for you! We simplified this project in a way that meant we were planning, executing and enjoying it all in one weekend.
In fact, the easiest shortcut in this project is our Solo Stove. Its the only fire pit youll ever need we have one at the lake and a larger one here in St. Louis.
To create this DIY fire pit patio, we did a little research, selected the right products, and put it all together in just a day or so. Yes, it took a little sweat equity, but the results are well worth it!
- Pin this for later!
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What Kind Of Gravel Do You Use For A Fire Pit
We typically use ¾ clean crushed limestone for the gravel fire pit patios we build. We recommend crushed limestone around fire pits because of its excellent drainage. Plus, it compacts well, giving a solid base for seating and other heavy items.
As mentioned above, you should choose a different type of stone for inside the fire pit itself to avoid the potential of rock explosions.
Install The Landscape Border + Weed Fabric
After we cleared and leveled the space, we dug a trench around the outline to lay out the landscape edging. We wanted it to be secure, and a bit above ground level so it could be used to hold the gravel in place on the inside.
Once the border was securely in the ground, we rolled out the landscape fabric.
We laid this out so that the gravel wouldnt mix with the dirt underneath, to keep it cleaner, and make it easier to take out if we needed to do so in the future. We secured the landscape fabric in place with landscape pins, to keep everything neat and together.
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Pea Gravel Patio Basics
Pea gravel is the easy-to-handle material that makes all of this happen. While hardscaping materials like poured concrete, concrete pavers, and natural flagstone are solid, reliable patio surfaces, they are expensive and can be backbreaking and/or technically challenging to install.
As suggested by the name, pea gravel is about the size of 3/8-inch-diameter peas. Each piece of gravel is rounded and smooth, making it nice to walk on and less prone to clumping up and retaining footprints than gravel with angled sides.
Traditional Pea Gravel Fire Pit With A Set Of Comfortable Seats
It seems that this fire pit area is filled with a combination of black and white pea gravel.
As we all know, black and white is a classic combination that despite its dramatic contrast, it is often used in any traditional style. That is why this traditional fire pit features such a combo for the pea gravel ground.
The modern fire bowl is surrounded by a set of comfortable seats. The seats have a conventional design with a wooden frame and gray cushions.
Two additional small tables in a dark color are also added to enhance the traditional ambiance in this fire pit.
If you want to create a similar traditional fire pit space, make sure you also surround the area with plants and trees. There is even a planter box on one side of this fire pit used as a boundary.
Plants, especially greeneries, shrubs, and small trees, will never fail to create an organic look in your area, a characteristic that you need if you want to achieve a traditional style outdoor.
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Does A Stone Fire Pit Need A Liner
A stone fire pit doesnt necessarily need a liner, but it can be helpful for overall safety and efficiency. A liner can provide a space for heat to be contained so it wont be radiated outward and possibly affect nearby combustible materials.
Installing a liner also helps to ensure that the fire pit has a consistent shape, which can make building a fire easier. Additionally, the liner can provide protection from heat or sparks reaching the surrounding landscape and possibly igniting fires outside of the fire pit.
Heat-resistance tiles, metal fire ring liners, brick liners, and clay liners are all options which can provide this extra protection. Ultimately, deciding to use a fire pit liner is based on the individuals personal safety preference.
Make Your Backyard Fire Pit Game Plan
The first task on your list of creating a backyard fire pit make a list of things that are important to you.
Do you want room for lots of chairs? What does your ideal seating area look like? How about an in-ground fire pit or above ground fire pit? Once you have an idea of the elements that are important to you, its time to get drawing!
For us, we wanted a portable fire pit so that we could take it with us on camping trips. We also wanted it to be surrounded by plants and flowers, which is why we decided to create a flower bed around the perimeter. The sky is the limit when creating your backyard fire pit its your space!
Draw Out a Sketch Of Your Fire Pit Plans
Dont worry about exact measurements just yet. Go ahead and find some printer paper, and draw a rough sketch of your creation.
Berty and I made a lot of changes before we settled on a plan we were both comfortable with. Rough sketching saves you a lot of time and energy from changing things around often, or fussing about exact measurements.
Our Final Dimensions: 12 feet across x 13.5 feet from the top of the curve to back of the couch.
Check With Your City On Recreational Fire Regulations
One of the most important things you can do before you break ground is to check with your city about fire regulations.
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Add Weed Block Fabric To The Fire Pit Seating Area
If youre putting in a walkway and seating area around your DIY fire pit, then youll want to use a weed block fabric to deter weeds. You wont entirely prevent weeds from growing in your gravel fire pit seating area, so there will be a bit of maintenance and killing of weeds each season. Use sod staples to hold the weed block fabric in place.
Cover the entire fire pit seating area with weed block fabric, using sod staples where necessary to hold it into place. You wont need to put weed block fabric under the fire pit directly.
Can You Put A Fire Pit On Gravel
This is a common question. As mentioned above you can use gravel to create a patio area around your fire pit.
However, there are really two versions of this question: Should I put gravel in my fire pit? and Should I put gravel around my fire pit?
Should I put gravel IN my fire pit?
Gravel may not be the best option to place in your fire pit, due to the risk of it exploding under high heat. When certain kinds of rock get wet they can trap moisture in the small crevices or pores of the rock. When directly exposed to fire, this moisture can turn to steam, creating pressure and a risk of the rock shattering dangerously.
Some better alternatives for inside the fire pit are:
Should I put gravel AROUND my fire pit?
Gravel is an excellent option for creating a patio or seating area around your fire pit. A gravel fire pit pad is fireproof, drains well, provides a level area for seating, suppresses weed growth, and is one of the most affordable options available!
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How Do You Put Pea Gravel Around A Fire Pit
By: Author Olin Wade
Including aesthetics. Pea gravel is porous, which traps air and can add water to the area. Water, on the other hand, can increase the heat, increasing the risk of a rock explosion. Moreover, pea gravel can become very hot.
Nonetheless, it is safe to use this gravel around a fire pit, as long as you use it safely.
Aside from its aesthetic value, gravel also keeps the fire ring ablaze. It is easy to pour, and requires little maintenance. It can be used alone or combined with dirt and sand, or even with lava rocks.
Lava rocks are fire retardants, and they have a natural, rustic appearance. And unlike other gravel, lava rocks do not need to be replaced yearly.
First, dig out the area with a garden shovel. Dig out the area to about two inches in depth. Make sure to dig out the area to the outside edge of the painted line. Then, rake or use a hand trowel to level the gravel out.
After you have finished the work, pour the pea gravel over the top layer. Use the same techniques to level the gravel as in Step 6.
Another option for a pea gravel border is to install a wooden bench next to the fire pit. This style is also known as eclectic. You can mix patterns and colors in it. You can add accent pieces to the pea gravel with plants or a plant border.
Another option is to use a temporary sunbrella cover to provide a shady spot. A concrete slab can be added later if the gravel is not enough.
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