DIY Smokeless Fire Pit
How to build a smokeless DIY fire pit that works
Smokeless fire pits are becoming more and more popular, so you may be wondering whether you should get one. There are many ready made smoke-free fire pits available to buy online or in stores. But can you make a DIY smokeless fire pit? If so, how? In this article written by Flames and Fires we explain how to make a DIY outdoor smokeless fire pit in 5 simple steps and what you will need for that.
To make your own smokeless fire pit, first you need to understand what makes a fire pit smokeless.
How do smokeless fire pits work?
Smokeless fire pits have vent holes to allow more air in the fire. Thanks to this they burn the fire pit fuel more efficiently with nearly complete combustion. We explain how smoke-free fire pits work in this article:
It’s worth mentioning that smokeless fire pits aren’t completely smoke-free. However, the smoke emissions they produce are so low, that they are nearly smokeless and they are a great option if you care about the environment.
How to make a smokeless fire pit
There are different methods of building smokeless fire pits and different variations of the smokeless fire pit construction. You can make a fire pit similar to Solo Stove, where both walls are built from metal rings, or a sunken fire pit with the bottom below the ground level or even a portable smokeless fire pit. But here we will talk about a more traditional no-smoke fire pit design with two walls, one made of metal and one made of bricks.
Let’s look into what you will need for your DIY smokeless fire pit.
Things you will need to build your own smokeless fire pit:
- Bottomless metal ring
- Gravel or sand
- Fire pit bricks, stones or pavers
Tools:
- Shovel
- Spirit level
- Driller
How to build a no-smoke fire pit
5 step guide to make a DIY smokeless fire pit
Here is a simple method to build your own smokeless fire pit followed by an instruction video.
1. Prepare the area for the fire pit
- Clear the area for the fire pit
If you are building a circle fire pit, clear a circle from grass and other plants - Level the ground for the fire pit
- Lay sand or gravel on a flat surface
How much space do I need for a smokeless fire pit?
The area should be slightly larger than the metal fire ring, so there is enough space for the outer wall as well as the gap between the walls.
2. Build the outer wall
Lay the pavers for the outer wall leaving 3 – 4 holes between the bottom layer of the bricks. The distance between the inner and the outer wall should be around 1.5 – 2 inches, so leave enough space for it.
3. Drill holes in the fire ring
You need to bore holes around the upper end of the metal ring. This is an important part of the design.
4. Place the fire ring in the middle
Make sure there is enough space between both walls. It’s even better if you fill the ring bottom with a layer of sand or gravel.
5. Finish off with the top layer
Put concrete plates or wider bricks on the top to close the space between the inner and the outer wall of the fire pit. Make sure it covers the space between the walls. The top layer needs to capture the heat inside, which will ensure more efficient burning and efficient heat output.
Here is a really useful video showing how to build a DIY smokeless fire pit:
https://youtu.be/qyjxklycfJ4
So this briefly describes the method of building homemade smokeless fire pits. But we haven’t covered some important details on the smokeless fire pit design: the fire ring and the vent holes. Here is more on that.
How do you make a smokeless fire pit ring?
What can I make a fire ring from?
You can make a fire ring from a metal trash can, barrel, old washing machine drum or any other circle-shaped metal, which you will be able to cut and drill holes in.
How high should a fire pit ring be?
It depends on the diameter of the fire pit, but anything between 14 and 20 inches will be OK. If you are building a larger fire pit, then you can make it higher as well.
Alternatively you can use a ready made fire ring, here are examples of fire rings which you can use to make your own smoke-free fire pit.
Metal fire rings
Fire Pit Insert Solid Steel
Octagon Fire Ring Insert
Square Fire Pit Ring – Fire Pit Liner
Vent holes in smokeless fire pit
How big holes do I need in a smokeless fire pit? How far apart should the holes be?
The vent holes should have around 2-inch diameter. The distance between the holes should be between 24 to 36 inches, the bigger the fire pit, the more holes you will need.
FAQs
Can you make a smokeless square fire pit?
Yes, you can make a smokeless square or rectangular fire pit. Although a circular fire pit is easier to build, you can make a square one and it will work as well. The shape of the outline doesn’t matter in the burning process, what’s important is the airflow system in the smokeless fire pit which we create by the vent holes placed in the right places.
Can I rebuild a traditional fire pit to make it smokeless?
Yes! You can use your old fire pit to make a smokeless one.
If you have a fire pit with stone walls and a metal fire ring inside, remove the metal ring and make holes just underneath its upper rim. You will also need some space between the metal ring and the outer wall. If it’s already there, then great, if not, then you will need to either rebuild the outer stone circle or get a slightly smaller metal ring. You will also need a few holes in the bottom layer of the outer wall for the air to enter the fire pit.
If you have a fire pit with just one wall, you will need to add a second one.
Final notes
Building a DIY smokeless fire pit is easier than you may think. All you need to make your own smokeless pit is pavers, a fire ring and a bit of time. If you tried this method, share in the comments if it worked!
