Built a firepit in my yard (1 Viewer)

[Polish Hammer]

Now I need to get a screen cover for it and some other things. Hoping you all can help me find bargains.

SCREEN

Needs to be at least 32" in diameter, preferably 34"-36"

I understand that the cheaper screens will maybe last a season or two. I can keep it in the shed when not in use to help slow down this deterioration.

Found some websites with screens made from mostly or all stainless, those guys are expensive. I'd prefer to not drop a few hundred on the cover for a pit that cost $125 in materials.

Here are some examples of screens that seem to work in terms of price/function. Though it seems they are largely copies of each other.

Here is an example of a custom made one that will likely be much better but cost much more. ($175-325)

Any other places I should be looking?

COOKING

We/I also like to cook on a fire for a little backyard "camping" experience.

What do you all think of this?

We already have a few longer holders for hot dogs and marshmallows. What else do you all recommend?

Any value to something like the items on this page or are they largely junk??

I'm open to all suggestions.

 

[glock]

Remember to cook over coals, NOT flames. Flames are for boiling water...

 

[Johnny Bing]

Curious, why are you shopping for a screen is it required in your city? I wouldn't put a screen over a wood fire, they are more of a hassle than a benefit when it comes to loading or stoking the fire. Not to mention if you're going to be a big griller the screen will be in the grass most of the time.

My previous house we had a fire pit in the back yard and I never considered putting screen over it. Over time that screen is going to rust if your not getting stainless. And if you are like me that fire is going to be cooking hot so people don't have to be sitting in the fire to feel heat, which will warp the steel.

If you want the "campfire" cooking experience this is what I'd recommend for cooking. Quick, simple, durable. Just flip it down when ready to cook and flip it up when not in use. There are some adjustable rigs out there that are more money, but if this is a price purchase this might be the way to go.

 

[Mr. Ected]

My in-laws use something like the item in you have from Amazon on their fire at their campsite and they love it. Two things to think about with it: One make sure it swings on and off, so you can easily pull the food off the fire for flame-ups or so you aren't reaching over the fire to put stuff on or off. The other is to make sure the grate can be raised and lowered depending on the fire, for different temperatures.

 

[Ned]

These actually work great. So do these. Those Rome Industries forks are too short, IMO. The telescoping ones are much longer and have a dial to turn the fork without having to flip it in your hand and worry about dropping it.

I agree - don't see the point in having a screen. We have ours in the open and use the hell out of it this time of year.

 

[Polish Hammer]

Johnny Bing - the screen is not required by the city, but it is being required by the wife. She wins.

 

[Willie Whistle]

I made my fire pit small enough to sit around intimately, but large enough to sacrifice virgins.

 

[Johnny Bing]

Johnny Bing - the screen is not required by the city, but it is being required by the wife. She wins.

In all seriousness, you will probably get more burns with the screen. Just imagine how often you are going to load the fire or turn over logs...your bound to burn your hand moving that thing.

But I can understand if you need to keep peace at home, in that case I'd find the cheapest screen on the market and hope that she sees it more as a danger than a benefit and changes her mind later. Hopefully your not out much money. Enjoy the pit.

 

[Fat Nick]

So I'll add my

My pit is made of landscape pavers arranged in a circle about 2' high. On top of that, I put one of the pre-fab fire pit bowls that came with a screen. In lieu of the legs that came with the pre-fab pit, I just set it on the pavers. It has a lip that sits up there nicely. It also elevates the fire up some, which is nice b/c you don't have to huddle down over it. So...food for thought since I think a bowl + screen cost about what you'll pay for just the screen. Added bonus, when I want to clean my ashes, I just lift up the bowl and dump them underneath.

Also, I DO recommend a screen. Not for when you're out with the fire, but rather for when you're done for the night. I rarely am out to see my fire burn out completely. I don't like drenching it in water either b/c then you have a soggy mess. With a screen, you can just put the screen over it, and go inside and it'll burn itself out.

 

[Dragons]

So I'll add my

My pit is made of landscape pavers arranged in a circle about 2' high. On top of that, I put one of the pre-fab fire pit bowls that came with a screen. In lieu of the legs that came with the pre-fab pit, I just set it on the pavers. It has a lip that sits up there nicely. It also elevates the fire up some, which is nice b/c you don't have to huddle down over it. So...food for thought since I think a bowl + screen cost about what you'll pay for just the screen. Added bonus, when I want to clean my ashes, I just lift up the bowl and dump them underneath.

Also, I DO recommend a screen. Not for when you're out with the fire, but rather for when you're done for the night. I rarely am out to see my fire burn out completely. I don't like drenching it in water either b/c then you have a soggy mess. With a screen, you can just put the screen over it, and go inside and it'll burn itself out.

Sounds almost exactly like what I built.

 

[rascal]

So I'll add my

My pit is made of landscape pavers arranged in a circle about 2' high. On top of that, I put one of the pre-fab fire pit bowls that came with a screen. In lieu of the legs that came with the pre-fab pit, I just set it on the pavers. It has a lip that sits up there nicely. It also elevates the fire up some, which is nice b/c you don't have to huddle down over it. So...food for thought since I think a bowl + screen cost about what you'll pay for just the screen. Added bonus, when I want to clean my ashes, I just lift up the bowl and dump them underneath.

Also, I DO recommend a screen. Not for when you're out with the fire, but rather for when you're done for the night. I rarely am out to see my fire burn out completely. I don't like drenching it in water either b/c then you have a soggy mess. With a screen, you can just put the screen over it, and go inside and it'll burn itself out.

What type/brand of firepit do you have? My brother in law bought a cheap one and the bottom fell out after one summer.

 

[Guest]

Fire Gloves Priceless. These aren't the exact ones I have had for 15 years, but they look similar.

It's great to be able to grab the end of a burning log and move it right where you want it.

 

[Polish Hammer]

I have a pair very much like those fire gloves that I use for my smoker. And they have been awesome with campfires.

What fireplace tools do I need? Can someone recommend a good poker/log mover (more for the wife since I have those gloves)? Anything else I should be looking at?

 

[GreekFreak]

I have a pair very much like those fire gloves that I use for my smoker. And they have been awesome with campfires.

What fireplace tools do I need? Can someone recommend a good poker/log mover (more for the wife since I have those gloves)? Anything else I should be looking at?

I have this one and it works great.

http://www.amazon.com/Homebasix-Fireplace-Tongs-26-Black/dp/B000KKIC7I/ref=pd_sim_sg_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0NZWX0K7C3JP0YSSHFHB

 

[Fat Nick]

So I'll add my

My pit is made of landscape pavers arranged in a circle about 2' high. On top of that, I put one of the pre-fab fire pit bowls that came with a screen. In lieu of the legs that came with the pre-fab pit, I just set it on the pavers. It has a lip that sits up there nicely. It also elevates the fire up some, which is nice b/c you don't have to huddle down over it. So...food for thought since I think a bowl + screen cost about what you'll pay for just the screen. Added bonus, when I want to clean my ashes, I just lift up the bowl and dump them underneath.

Also, I DO recommend a screen. Not for when you're out with the fire, but rather for when you're done for the night. I rarely am out to see my fire burn out completely. I don't like drenching it in water either b/c then you have a soggy mess. With a screen, you can just put the screen over it, and go inside and it'll burn itself out.

What type/brand of firepit do you have? My brother in law bought a cheap one and the bottom fell out after one summer.

I don't recall the exact model...It was from Lowes, and it was the biggest diameter one I could get. Looks roughly like THIS, but I think mine might be 39" or maybe 41". I basically built it to the inside diameter of the lip of the pit bowl, and the lip holds it up on the stacked pavers. As noted, it came with a screen. I think the whole thing cost maybe $150.

One key to making it last longer - Drill a bunch of 1/2" holes in the bottom. Like easily a dozen or more. If you leave it outside, it'll collect standing water, which will cause it to rust out. The holes will allow the water to drain. It also helps the fire burn as it can draw air from underneath. Mine has been outside without cover for 3 years now. I keep saying that I need to bring it in over the winter, and I never do. At some point, I'm going to sand it down and tack-weld a piece of 1/8" steel to the bottom for additional reinforcement. I'll probably wait till the end of this season though.

 

[Copeman]

Wouldn't it be easy for someone to just walk by and kick the pavers down, or are the pavers cemented together or something?

 

[Johnny Bing]

Wouldn't it be easy for someone to just walk by and kick the pavers down, or are the pavers cemented together or something?

I used small amount of construction adhesive to hold them together.

 

[Guest]

Wouldn't it be easy for someone to just walk by and kick the pavers down, or are the pavers cemented together or something?

Why would someone do that?

 

[Copeman]

Wouldn't it be easy for someone to just walk by and kick the pavers down, or are the pavers cemented together or something?

Why would someone do that?

Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't. I'm just trying to illustrate that it would be fairly easy for it to fall down, even if it was accidently walked into or whatever, if they weren't secure somehow.

I know when my friends and I are around a fire pit, alcohol is involved. I'd rather it be secure than not.

 

[Johnny Bing]

Wouldn't it be easy for someone to just walk by and kick the pavers down, or are the pavers cemented together or something?

Why would someone do that?

There is always that guy/girl at the campfire that put their feet up on the stones and then pushed them in by mistake. Happened first night at ours, and the next day I took them all down and put dab of adhesive in corners.

 

[Guest]

Wouldn't it be easy for someone to just walk by and kick the pavers down, or are the pavers cemented together or something?

Why would someone do that?

Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't. I'm just trying to illustrate that it would be fairly easy for it to fall down, even if it was accidently walked into or whatever, if they weren't secure somehow.

I know when my friends and I are around a fire pit, alcohol is involved. I'd rather it be secure than not.

The accident part makes sense. I was thinking random vandalism. I would have to know the size of the pavers and the height of the pit. If they are arranged in a circular pattern and stacked well/tight together, they shouldn't fall over even if someone tries. Being able to move or remove it someday would be a nice option.

 

[Fat Nick]

Wouldn't it be easy for someone to just walk by and kick the pavers down, or are the pavers cemented together or something?

I used small amount of construction adhesive to hold them together.

Ditto. That stuff is pretty strong. I've actually tried to pop one of the stones off of mine just to see how strong. Without some leverage from a crowbar or something, it's not moving.