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You can make a backyard BBQ fire pit with a simple cooking grate supported over a fire, or build a more permanent masonry enclosure around one. The key is not a complicated design: use a stable rack intended for grilling, set the fire on a clear nonflammable site, and check local rules before you build or light it. The ideas below are adaptable concepts—not tested plans—so verify dimensions, materials, and safety requirements for your yard.
How to choose an easy DIY BBQ fire pit
Start with the fire and cooking arrangement, then decide how permanent the structure should be. Any cooking grate must sit securely above the fire and be made for grilling; an improvised rack may contain metals that are not suitable for food or heat. The University of Kentucky Extension illustrates a grill rack supported by concrete blocks and warns against using racks not intended for grilling: Outdoor Meals: Food Safety.
- Permanence: A movable setup is easier to change or store. A fixed masonry build takes more planning and must meet local requirements.
- Grate support: Choose a cooking grate made for grilling, check its dimensions, and make sure its supports cannot shift or tip.
- Spark protection: For wood-burning designs, plan for a metal spark screen that fits the finished enclosure.
- Footprint and base: Leave room for safe access and use an appropriate nonflammable surface beneath the fire. Raleigh lists concrete, dirt, or gravel as examples of nonflammable bases.
- Local rules: Setbacks, permits, and burn restrictions vary. Check with your local fire authority before construction or use.
27 easy BBQ fire pit ideas
These concepts are grouped by how permanent they are. They are starting points, not verified construction plans: confirm that the materials and cooking grate are suitable, that the grate is stable, and that a correctly sized screen can be used where needed. The Lowe’s fire-pit guide offers a build sequence for a custom project, but it is a commercial guide and should not replace local code requirements: How to Build a Fire Pit.
Movable or temporary cooking setups
- Concrete-block grate stand. Place a grill-rated cooking rack on stable concrete-block supports over a fire on a nonflammable base. Keep the supports outside the fire and arrange them so the grate cannot slide.
- Two-support grill station. Set a suitable grate across two stable, noncombustible supports. Check that the span is short enough to prevent sagging or tipping; use a screen only if it fits around the fire arrangement.
- Three-support cooking stand. Use three evenly placed supports under a purpose-made grate for a compact cooking setup. Test stability before lighting, and keep the fire on a clear, nonflammable surface.
- Portable fire bowl with grill grate. Use a bowl designed for outdoor fires and a compatible grilling grate. Follow the product instructions for placement, fuel, and screen use; do not assume a generic grate will fit.
- Raised fire bowl and rack. Pair a purpose-built raised bowl with its compatible cooking surface. Keep the area beneath and around it clear, and observe any clearance requirements in the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Fire basket with cooking rack. A purpose-made outdoor fire basket can be paired with a compatible grill rack if the design supports one securely. Confirm screen compatibility before buying or building around it.
- Removable grate over a simple fire ring. Use a stable outdoor fire ring and a grilling grate that rests securely on its rim or designated supports. The ring must sit on an appropriate nonflammable base.
- Portable grill grate over a ground-level fire. Set a grill-rated rack on secure noncombustible supports above a small fire on cleared ground. Use only where local rules allow this arrangement, and keep the cooking surface level.
- Small patio cooking pit. Arrange a compact, purpose-built fire bowl and grate on a nonflammable outdoor surface. Do not use a fire pit on a combustible deck unless its instructions and local rules explicitly permit that installation.
Simple masonry-ring and block-supported designs
- Single-course block ring. Arrange suitable masonry blocks in a low ring, leaving the opening and grate supports stable. Confirm that the blocks are appropriate for fire exposure; not every concrete block or paver is designed for repeated high heat.
- Two-course block ring. Stack a second course only if the blocks and arrangement remain stable and suitable for the intended heat. Size the opening to accept a grill grate and a correctly fitting spark screen.
- Round paver ring. Form a circular enclosure from appropriate pavers on a prepared nonflammable base. Verify heat suitability and keep the grate supported independently rather than balancing it on unstable edges.
- Square paver pit. Build a simple square enclosure with secure corners and a level cooking rack. The pavers must be suitable for fire exposure, and the finished opening must accommodate a screen if wood is burned.
- Stone-ring fire pit with grate. Use stones selected and arranged for a stable outdoor fire enclosure; avoid unknown or unsuitable materials that may crack or fail when heated. Support the grill grate so it cannot roll or slip.
- Block-supported crossbar grate. Place a purpose-made grill grate on secure block supports or a compatible crossbar system. Keep the support arrangement outside direct flame where practical and ensure all metal components are intended for the heat and cooking use.
- Low circular pit with removable cooking rack. Make a low masonry ring with a grate that can be lifted out for tending the fire. Measure the ring and grate together so the surface has secure bearing and a screen can fit.
- Rectangular block pit. Arrange blocks into a compact rectangle and use a matching rectangular grill grate. Keep the base clear and nonflammable, and check that the long sides cannot spread or shift.
- Corner-style masonry pit. Use a compact, stable masonry enclosure with an open side for access and a grate supported across the opening. The open side does not remove the need for clearances or spark control.
More permanent custom builds
- Mortared masonry ring. A fixed ring can give the pit a finished appearance, but its foundation, materials, and construction need more planning than a dry-laid ring. Design the grate and screen dimensions before building.
- Brick fire pit with grill rack. Build a brick enclosure only with materials and methods appropriate to fire exposure. Plan a stable ledge or separate support for the grill grate and preserve room for a fitting screen.
- Stone veneer enclosure. A decorative stone exterior can surround a fire-rated inner structure. Do not assume decorative facing stone alone is suitable for direct heat; follow the material and system instructions.
- Built-in circular grill pit. Create a fixed circular enclosure sized around a standard or custom grill grate. Confirm the grate’s food-contact suitability and dimensions before setting the final opening.
- Built-in square cooking pit. A square custom build can provide straight edges for grate support. Include a secure bearing surface, a nonflammable base, and enough clearance for the intended spark screen.
- Fire pit with adjustable grate supports. Build in compatible support positions at different heights to vary cooking distance. Use components rated for grilling and heat, and make sure each position locks or rests securely.
- Fire pit with a removable ash area. Incorporate an access point for ash removal into a fixed design without weakening its stability. Keep the grate and any screen removable for cleaning and safe fire tending.
- Integrated outdoor cooking corner. Place a fixed BBQ fire pit within a planned outdoor cooking area, with clear access around the fire and no nearby combustibles. Check local setbacks and permits before laying out the surrounding features.
- Custom masonry pit with fitted spark screen. Design the enclosure, grate, and screen as one coordinated set of dimensions. A screen that fits the finished opening helps contain sparks; wood-burning outdoor guidance recommends a metal screen.
Build and placement checks before lighting
There is no single setback or construction detail that applies everywhere. The U.S. Fire Administration advises placing fire pits outdoors at least 10 feet from a home or anything that can burn. Raleigh recommends a flat, open area and a nonflammable base, while Kansas State Fire Marshal guidance also advises keeping a pit at least 10 feet from structures or neighboring yards. These are recommendations from those authorities, not a substitute for the rules where you live.
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#1 Best Overall
Portable Outdoor Fire Pit 22 Inch - New Upgraded Camping Fire Pit Collapsible Foldable Mesh Fire Pits Fireplace for Camping, Campfire, Patio, Backyard and Garden - Carrying Bag Included
- 【Upgraded Portable Design】Compared with the traditional non-detachable product package size (34" x 3.6" x 3.6"), our upgraded portable fire pit is designed to be detachable. Its package size is only 13" x 3.6" x 3.6". which not only keep the better stability, but also will be more portable for outdoor camping
- 【Quick Assembly】No special tool is required. Just connect the stainless steel tube to the support frame in just under 60 second without the use of any tools
- 【Durable & Powerful】With netting constructed out of durable stainless steel and anti-heating material, this firepit has the capability to hold enough wood for fires of all sizes. Maximum load capacity is 26 lbs
- 【Reusable & Easy to Clean】The 0.96mm heat-resistant mesh of our foldable fire pit, making ash or debris not fall and it is easy to clean
- 【Best Choice for Ourdoor】Our portable fire pit is best choice for outdoor wood burning such as camping, outdoors picnic, beach, garden, trekking, barbecue, fishing, climbing, etc. Put it into your bag and enjoy your outdoor life
- Ask your local fire authority about permits, burn bans, required clearances, and restrictions on fuel or open flames.
- Choose a flat, open site; clear leaves, branches, furniture, and other combustibles from the area.
- Check wind before lighting. Kansas State Fire Marshal guidance advises avoiding fires in windy conditions and not using flammable liquids to start or revive one.
- For wood-burning fires, use a metal spark screen sized to fit the enclosure.
- Keep children closely supervised around the fire, and put the fire out before leaving.
- Keep water, sand, or a garden hose nearby, and follow the fire pit or barbecue’s operating and safety instructions. This is guidance from the UK government’s barbecue safety advice.
- Use propane, charcoal, and wood-pellet barbecue grills outdoors only. The U.S. Fire Administration warns: “Only use propane, charcoal and wood pellet barbecue grills outside. Indoor use can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.”
For relevant official guidance, see the U.S. Fire Administration’s outdoor-fire safety guidance, Raleigh’s fire-pit and open-burn guidance, Kansas State Fire Marshal outdoor-fire safety guidance, and UK government fire-safety advice for outdoor barbecues.
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Waaliji 22.5" Portable Outdoor Fire Pit Camping Firepit with Bag, Diagonal
- Patented Design: Instead of the usual fire pit ring shape, our outdoor fireplace is a patented hexagon design. The patio firepit has many diagonal vents on the six sides, and the bottom of the wood fire pits for outside is 3.9 inches high, to elevate firewood for better airflow, resulting in more efficient combustion without the gas.
- Removable & Easy to Store: The firepits for outside patio itself weigh only 15 pounds. Once assembled, the dimensions can reach up to 22.5 inches. We also provide a carrying bag for the fire pits. After use, simply disassemble and pack the wood burning fire pits into the bag for easy transport back to your home, backyard, RV, or on your next adventure.
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- Built to Endure: The fire pit grill is constructed with heavy-duty alloy steel and fortified with a high-temperature coating, enabling this bonfire fire pit to withstand temperatures as high as 1472℉, ensuring a safe and reliable burning experience. Our camping fire pit is designed for long-term use, supplied lasting durability.
- Easy Assembly: Assembly is a breeze - 1 adult can finish it in just a few minutes with the included instructions. Whether it's for multiple people or personal use, our small fire pit is highly suitable. And if you have any questions or problems about our portable fire pit for camping, our customer support team is always available to help.
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ICokin 24-Inch Portable Fire Pit with Carry Bag|
- Sturdy Material - The fire pit is made from heavy-duty alloy steel and is reinforced with a high-temperature coating, ensuring sturdy and long-term use. Its heat resistance and corrosion resistance make it an ideal choice for outdoor activities.
- Detachable Design - The outdoor fireplace has numerous ventilation holes on all six sides, allowing for better air circulation, which improves combustion efficiency, creating larger and brighter flames. It comes with a bag for convenient disassembly and storage.
- Size and Portability - This fire pit, with its dimensions of 24 inches in width and 9.5 inches in height, features a hexagonal design that is perfectly suited for families or small groups. Its portable design makes it easy to carry, whether you're going camping, to the beach, or just using it in the backyard.
- Easy to Assemble - The assembly of the fire pit is very straightforward. It can be set up in a few simple steps without the need for any tools.
- Functional Use - This outdoor portable fire pit is not only great for heating but can also be used for barbecuing or as a focal point at outdoor gatherings, adding to its versatility and fun.
Rank #3
GasOne 23 in Outdoor– Wood Burning Fire Pit – Durable Alloy Steel Fire Pits for Outside – Small Fire Pit for Backyard, Porch, Deck, Camping, BBQ
- Fun Moments Around the Campfire: If you want to create a welcoming atmosphere in your backyard for gatherings where you can enjoy delicious marshmallows and endless conversations together with your family and friends, the Gas One portable fire pit for camping is the ideal solution!
- Built to Last: Our outdoor fireplace features a durable and resilient construction made with high-quality, rust-resistant alloy steel and high-temperature-resistant painting that can withstand prolonged use and any weather conditions!
- Versatile and Practical: The Gas One wood burning firepits for outside are designed with your convenience in mind, having a small but spacious design for small gatherings, parties and reunions in your backyard, deck, porch, garden, camping, RV.
- Safe and Reliable: This camping fire pit ensures optimal airflow to keep the fire going.
- What You Get: The Gas One outdoor fire pit bowl measures 23-inch in diameter and 10.65-inch in height.
Rank #2
Outland Living Portable Propane Fire Pit, 19-inch, 58,000 BTU with Fire Pit Cover & Carry Kit, Smokeless Gas Firebowl | Perfect for Camping, Patio, Backyard, Tailgating, Deck, RV| Black 893 Deluxe
- ✓ PERFECT NO MESS CAMPFIRE: Say goodbye to dirty ash, expensive firewood, and bothersome smoke and enjoy a clean realistic propane campfire. The perfect outdoor centerpiece for camping trips, RV travels, tailgating get-togethers, beach parties, and family evenings on the backyard patio.
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- ✓ BEAT THE CAMPFIRE BAN: CSA approved fire pit is safe to use during most campfire bans; always check with the current fire restrictions in your area. Spark free propane campfire helps protect campgrounds and forested areas with a safer easy-to-use fire option.
- ✓ COMPLETE FIRE PIT KIT: Includes Cover & Carry Kit, pre-attached 10-Ft hose to keep your standard 20-Lb propane tank cylinder (not included) safely out of sight, fully adjustable regulator with chrome valve knob for varying flame height, and 4.4-Lb natural lava rock set designed to enhance flickering effect. Optional accessories of CSA approved Natural Gas Conversion Kit 780 and Standard Carry Bag 760 available separately.
- ✓ SIGNATURE OUTLAND LIVING QUALITY: Durable high quality steel construction with protective enamel finish for dependable longevity; superior stainless steel burner and fasteners. Outland Living has outdoor living perfected so you can create the perfect ambiance to share stories and good times. Make new memories with family and friends, in comfort and style anywhere outdoors, with the Outland Firebowl Deluxe propane fire pit. Ignition Type:Manual
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