Propane fire pits are a great way to enjoy the summer. You can gather around a fire pit and roast marshmallows, or cook your favorite meal outdoors. They’re also easy to make, so you can have one sitting in your backyard soon! Transform your outdoor space into a cozy oasis with this easy guide on how to make a propane fire pit.
Make sure the ground is level and that there’s enough space for your fire pit by measuring 42 inches between the grill of the propane tank and the ceiling of your outdoor cooking area. Be sure to line up with this measurement before starting out, otherwise there will be too much room around the frame of your fire pit.
Tape off the outline of where you want your fire pit. Make sure to include the surrounding frame and any other details that you would like such as seating or places to put food.
Attach the frame of your fire pit by screwing metal screws into the marked lines at a 90 degree angle from one another. For example, one screw should go into each corner and in a side near that corner, then add in another screw on each line as needed. The crossbar will rest on top of these metal screws which will keep it steady as you put your fire pit together.
Next, put your fire pit on top of the crossbar. You can do this with a hand truck to make it easier to move around.
Repeat the above steps for the bottom section of your pit, then add in any other details such as grates for your grill, lighting and seating. An arc should be drawn in your design to make sure that it is even at all sides.
Tightly screw metal screws into both sections. If you have an electric drill, you can thread these screws right into the frame of your fire pit in just one step! Otherwise, you’ll need to use a screwdriver and wood saw or hack saw as well as a hammer and a drill bit or driver bit.
What is Propane Fire Pit?
Propane fire pits are a great way to enjoy the summer. You can gather around a fire pit and roast marshmallows, or cook your favorite meal outdoors. They’re also easy to make, so you can have one sitting in your backyard soon!
What is a propane fire pit? A propane fire pit is a metal container that holds propane or natural gas, which burns very hot. The metal container has wire mesh for grates and other things such as an underside for support or even an oven top. It also has a frame that the metal container sits on. The frame typically consists of four legs and some kind of crossbar between them for stability, but it’s not necessary.
Materials Needed to Make a Propane Fire Pit:
8-10 feet 2×4’s (cut into 4 pieces)
4-6 feet 12×4 wood for legs (cut into 8 pieces)
1/2 inch pipe, 4 feet long and at least 3 inches wide (14 pieces)
2″ pipe (cut into six pieces)
1 1/2 inch pipe (cut into nine pieces)
Drill, saw, hammer and a screwdriver or hacksaw with a metal blade to cut the pipes. A standard hole saw works well.
How to Make a Propane Fire Pit?
Step 1: Start by mounting the arc on top of a section of 2×4 that is laying on the ground. The arc should be facing downward and should rest in between the two pieces of wood you mounted it to.
To hold it in place, I used 5 screws instead of using nail because nailing it in would have made it too hard to modify if I needed to make adjustments later. If you’re using a step stool for your frame, screw the arc into the top part where people step.
Step 2:
Mount your frame section that you cut out earlier to a piece of wood so that it will sit level once assembled. I used a piece of scrap metal to hold up this section so I did not have to drive my screws into the ground.
Step 3:
Put your frame on the ground and make sure everything is level. If it’s not, you may need to shimmy the frame on some scrap 2×4’s or build something small to move it around with.
Step 4:
If you chose to use a step stool instead of using screws, then right now you’re ready for step 5! Get your fire pit together and screw in each 1/2 inch pipe into place until they all line up. You’re going to want to screw the pipes in tightly, so be careful not to strip them.
Step 5:
Once you have all three 1/2 inch pipes connected, you can put your front legs onto the frame and mount it as shown. I had to use a different piece of wood for my front leg because I was using a step stool for my frame instead of normal 2×4’s. If you’re using normal 2×4’s, then this step will be a lot easier for you.
Step 6:
Now that your fire pit is securely standing, it’s time to add in some braces! Use scrap wood and screws or nails to screw or nail all the pieces in place where needed. Remember to brace the pipes themselves so they don’t fall out.
Step 7:
Because I’m using a step stool for my frame instead of normal 2×4’s, I have a small hole where I removed a step when the small arc was put in place. To fix this problem, I pulled out a piece of pipe that was about 3 inches long from the 2 inch pipes we used earlier and screwed on a piece of scrap metal that matched my fire pit’s frame.
Step 8:
Now you can mount your chimney by unscrewing one end of your pipe and screwing it onto the top of your fire pit! For smaller fire pits, you may not need a chimney at all.
Step 9:
Now that you have a fire pit, it’s time to fill it up with propane. Just like a grill, you’ll need to turn on your propane tank first and screw in your regulator valve. Then, put your bowl of propane on top of the fire pit and screw on the chimney. Turn everything on and enjoy!
Step 10:
You’re done! You’ve successfully made a homemade propane fire pit. It’s time to use it for all your summertime activities such as camping, cookouts, etc. You can even store wood in it and have a small oven that uses natural gas to heat up food. As always, feel free to modify any part of this project so it will fit your needs better (such as making the arc bigger or smaller).
This is a very simple project that I wanted to do as I have been wanting a fire pit in my backyard for quite some time now. Having a fire pit outside will definitely add another aspect to my backyard. Read about how to dispose of ashes from Fire Pit.
FAQs
How much does it cost to build a propane fire pit?
There is not much to the cost of building a fire pit. The cost depends mainly on at what level you want to build it. The average fire pit is a metal container that holds propane or natural gas and burns hot.
How many people would you need to build a fire pit?
First, you need some knowledge of how many people will be using the fire pit. You can determine this by starting with how many people are coming over for the event, how many kids are going to be using it, how well do those guests socialize together and if those visitors know each other well? You can also ask for the number of guests that will be in attendance when you first check out your site options. A good rule of thumb is that at least half of your guests will probably be using the fire pit at some point in time or another. You can then decide how big you want your fire pit to be based on this guest count.
What kind of wood would you need to make a fire pit?
You can choose how sturdy and hard the wood you use for the fire pit will be by using different types. Depending on which kind of wood you choose, it can be used for a long time and last for years without rusting or breaking apart from one another. You should also consider where you are going to build it.
Are propane fire pits worth it?
Propane fire pits are definitely worth it if you have the money to spend. They provide hours of fun and just a way to get together with friends and family without having to spend a lot of money on a lot of entertainment.
What is the best propane fire pit?
The best propane fire pit is the one that works for you. There are many different propane fire pits that have their own strengths and weaknesses. Comparing prices and reading reviews will help you find the best propane fire pit for your needs.
Are there any risks involved in building a fire pit?
There can be some serious risks involved in building a fire pit, especially if you are inexperienced at carpentry or construction projects in general. Only a professional can advise you on which materials go together and how to avoid safety hazards.
How many gallons does a 30 lb propane tank hold?
Homes with a lot of outdoor activities will always need a propane tank to power their gas grill, deep fryer, hot water heater, and other appliances. But how many gallons does a 30 lb propane tank hold? That is the question at hand. There are only 6.8 gallons in a 30 lb propane tank. As such, homeowners should be cognizant of this when purchasing their next tank.
Is it cheaper to refill propane or exchange?
Propane is a common heating fuel in areas with freezing winters, but some people are still unsure whether to refill or exchange their propane tanks. The cost of the gas itself is the only factor determining which option would be cheaper for you. If you have a huge tank of propane and it is almost empty, exchanging your tank may be the more economical option.
But It’s cheaper. You can save at least $1.75 by refilling at third-party retailers over the cost of to replace typical fuel at an exchange.
Conclusion
Depending on the size of your pit, you can make it as elaborate, or as simple, as you’d like. You could add in an oven for cooking if you want to use it for shish-kabobs, or even a grill instead of a chimney. You can also mount seats around it to give yourself a place to sit.
I hope this has given you some inspiration on how to make your own fire pit! Happy building!
