FirepitsFirepits The making of a really good firepit requires a little forethought. You can, of course, make one just about anywhere there is a 6' clear, level space. You can make them simple and quickly by just enclosing a circle of cleared and scraped ground with rocks. Or you can use a re-cycled TRUCK rim or an old washing machine tub. That's basic and will do for simple cooking and heating needs. Try not to use river rocks because there is usually water trapped inside, which will often cause the rock to explode when heated. A word here about fires. Indian fires are small, compact and efficient. We live(d) by gathering dead wood in an area. We did NOT take living trees and cut them down to 'make' wood. In older times, when all the dead wood in an area had been used up, we moved on to another area. We very rarely had bonfires because of the incredible waste of another living being (the tree). Okay. Basic firepit 101: In choosing a site for a permanent firepit, you need to decide what is practical for using it. Don't put it within 8-10 feet of any buildings, large trees or other flammable objects. Have a level area (level it off if you have to) that extends to about a 6' circle. In the center of the circle you will dig down into the earth about 18" deep x 24-48". That's 2ft up to 4ft across, depending on what you are using it for. My ideal is a yard across because I can reach easily into the middle of the fire. Clear and level the bottom of the hole and then make a layer of about 2" of sand evenly around the bottom and then add a 2" layer of gravel; pea gravel from the landscaper works best because of its even size but any small stone covering will do. Next add about 4" of large gravel or small rocks. At this point, I add some tobacco and then tamp it down by walking around on it. This will be the base for many years of cooking, smoking, drying and having a central meeting place to laugh and share around. Build a ring of stones and rocks inside the circle, tamping them into the ground. It will look like a little well when you are done and will protect the rest of the area from root fires as well. Build it with care, fitting the stones solidly and firmly. This is when you can cantilever large flat rocks into the wall to use as cooking surfaces or warming shelves if you want. Stagger one or two at different heights but with the higher one directly across from where you will be feeding the fire. This will serve as the top of your coal oven if you want to bake, as a warming shelf to keep keep the coffee drinkable and for heating breads, etc. The other, lower one, should be on the right side if you are right-handed or the left if you're left-handed. That's for cooking steaks, hamburgers, etc., by building a hot fire under it. When you reach the height you want at that portion of the well wall, tunnel a bit into the ground there and slip the flat rock into place, then continue building your wall on top of it. You have to put at least half the rock into the ground for it to hold position when you place weight on the other half. Next, add a ring of stones at ground level. These should fit like beads on a necklace with a little airspace left between them but still touching each other. Leave at least 18" open on the side where you will be adding wood but have one or two rocks that will fit there to close it up if you want to. This rock circle should be at least 8" high. And that's all there is to it. To make your first fire, place four hardwood logs about 4" in diameter around the edges of the pit. In the center, make a mound of punky material like dried bark, punk heartwood, tiny twigs, etc. This should be hardwood. DO NOT USE PINE, SPRUCE, FIR in a firepit as the residue and oils will ruin your food. Make a tipi shape of small branches over the punk base. When this is burning well, add increasingly larger twigs, branches and small logs until you have a really good fire. Then start adding either thick branches or split wood. I add tobacco again here when the fire is merrily burning away and say thank you. You will keep adding chunks of wood and replacing the four logs as they burn away until you have a coal bed that is at least 8-12" deep. This will take many hours, so plan on a firepit party, having good food, good friends and music to celebrate the fire or do it in four or five short sessions. When your coal bed is deep enough, take a rake and stir the coals until all the fire goes out. Spread them evenly over the pit, rolling the four logs up against the sides with their burned inside facing towards the fire. Do not put firepits out with water as it makes a mess, ruins the flavor of food next time and generally is disrespectful. You build the fire, you stay with it until it is completely out. You should plan the area around the firepit as well. Having a couple of big logs that have been planked on the top and bottom make nice benches. We always also have a rock table when we can....haul a large rock with a flat side near the firepit and place in ground leveled off for it. Or build a rock table with three large rocks and a flat one over the top of them. But, whatever choices you make from what's available, make it comfortable and cheerful because then you'll use it more. Stack your wood in a handy place for next time because the next fire should start very easily. The variations on this basic plan are endlessly. Use your imagination and plan it for years and years of good use. email us at: adistowae@beyondthemountains.com Raising Funds for Your Group How To Make/How To Do Charlie's Thoughts Jan's ThoughtsOur Jewelry Beadlooms Artwork Who We AreOur Craftwork Weaving Sticks The Library Privacy Policy