We have some old cinder blocks left over from a landscaping project, so could we turn them into a fire pit? Let’s see…
Cinder blocks are inexpensive, light, and resistant to high heat, making them ideal for constructing DIY fire pits. To build a beautiful fire pit for under $100, cinder blocks can also be painted with heat-resistant paint.
Let’s get into the specifics of cinder block fire pits in further depth, and learn how to turn these drab grey stones into a charming and efficient fire pit.
Are Cinder Blocks Fire Resistant?
Cinder blocks are highly resistant to high heat, making them ideal fire pits. They are lighter than concrete blocks, which are composed of aggregate ash and most often coal cinders.
Cinder blocks are not as strong as concrete blocks when it comes to tensile strength (don’t use them for a retaining wall!) However, they are quite durable.
Fire pits made of porous cinder blocks are preferable to solid concrete blocks since they vent the steam, reducing the chance of moisture accumulation leading to explosions. Choose a fire-rated cinder block that absorbs heat and protects you from sparks without causing it to get harmed or dangerous.
Is There a Difference Between a Concrete Block and a Cinder Block?
Isn’t a cinder block the same thing as a concrete block? In reality, no. Although they appear to be constructed from the same materials and seem similar, the two blocks have different properties and applications.
Cinder blocks are lighter than concrete blocks because they’re composed of cinders rather than cement. The aggregate mix in the concrete block includes stone and sand, whereas the cinder block is made up of much less ash.
Concrete blocks are far more durable, and they’re utilized in building projects. You wouldn’t want to construct your home extension out of cinder blocks since they aren’t strong enough, but they’re an excellent choice for little, non-load-bearing tasks like as garden walls.
Why would you prefer cinder block to concrete block? Cinder blocks are inexpensive, and they’re easier to lift and shift about. This lighter, more permeable structure makes it a superior choice for fires as we previously noted.
The sleek design allows for the most heat transfer and heat dispersion of all the blocks, resulting in a significantly cooler micro-pool.
We’ve used it for projects ranging from the backyard to the driveway. It’s a fast and easy method to construct a barrier, such as a sheltering wall around your vegetable gardens or patio. Because cinder blocks are lighter to transport than concrete cubes, you don’t need a large crew to erect a cinder block wall.
How Many Cinder Blocks Do I Need For a Fire Pit?
A modest-size fire pit may be built with a few cinder blocks. The one we’re going to use (see the section below) is composed of only 24 cinder blocks. Because you’re constructing a backyard fire pit rather than a huge bonfire, you shouldn’t go much larger than this.
So, keep your fire pit small to realistic. Don’t make it too big because you won’t get much use out of the fire itself.
It’s easy to get carried away and build a huge hole, since you can get so many bricks for a few dollars. Because a single cinder block costs less than two dollars, this is an inexpensive method of making a fire pit.
Before we get too enthusiastic about a new cinder block fire pit, first ensure that your local municipality has approved them. Some city councils or homeowner associations do not allow fire pits in backyards, period. So make sure you know exactly what you’re doing before you start adding up the numbers.
How Do You Make a Fire Pit Out of Cinder Blocks?
- For this project, head for the store’s concrete aisle and search for the 8 x 8 x 16 cinder blocks (the standard size). You’ll need a trolley to transport all of these. You’ll also need two pairs of 8 x 16 cinder block caps. The fire pit require 12, but you might as well pick up a few
- Back in your yard… Make a place for the fire pit by measuring out an area with measuring tape and four stakes. The stakes should go where the four corners will be placed
- Using shovels, break up the dirt inside this area. This is to create a beautiful, grass-free surface for your fire pit. As far as possible, level the dirt
- After the grass is prepared, it’s time to lay the first cinder block in a corner… It’s critical that this one is level. Once it’s level, add the following block next to the previous one, making certain it’s level
- Continue working your way around the perimeter of the fire pit, checking levels as you go
- When the outside is completed, start laying down the next layer of blocks on top of the foundation row
- The final layer of cinder blocks is now installed. It’s time to install the second layer of block caps on top of the first. These must be flush with one another, so if there are any lumps and bumps on the cinder blocks, you’ll need to smooth them down
- Remove any stones or debris from the fire pit area, and tread down the loose earth around its perimeter. This keeps everything looking neat
Can You Paint a Cinder Block Fire Pit?
Yes, you may make a major design statement with your new cinder block fire pit by painting it in an eye-catching color. We won’t pretend that cinder block is the simplest surface to paint; nevertheless, it is possible if you use the correct technique.
Most painting cinder block advice does not include fire pits, merely garden walls and decorative objects like planters. This article from SFGate, on the other hand, is dedicated to painting brick fireplaces.
- Clean the cinder blocks well. We’re talking about a complete cleaning here. Wire brush, bleach for mildew, trisodium phosphate for any efflorescence… real deep cleaning is required. After cleaning, rinse the blocks well and allow them to dry completely
- Have you noticed any large cracks or holes? Fill them with siliconeized acrylic caulk to seal the gaps
- Fill in the gaps with latex block filler. The porous blocks would simply absorb the paint if this layer was not applied
- Next, apply latex primer, and allow it to dry fully
- Finally, the paint. If you want it to endure, apply an exterior acrylic latex masonry paint that is high-quality. Once it’s dry, inspect it for a final time to see how it looks after being dried
We’d still hesitate to paint a fire pit, though. That permeable material is ideal for fires, so it may provide the finest results if you just leave it be. The light concrete is actually quite attractive when finished with cinder block covers (as shown in the short film above), making it look very refined.
Conclusion Cinder Blocks
It’s helpful to know we can create a decent fire pit with our leftover cinder blocks. It doesn’t appear to be a difficult job that may be finished in just one weekend.
I think we’ll paint ours, since the gray blocks’ hue makes them uninviting in my opinion.
I’m not sure, but I think that black or white would look better for our new fire pit. Each to their own!
