From Fire Table to Firepit
by
Angela
3 Materials
$31
1 Hour
Easy
I had a beautiful slate tiled firepit on a metal stand. It had a shallow fire bowl that had a slate center insert that converted it to a coffee table when not being used for a fire. After 4 years of use, the fire bowl insert bottom rusted out. Replacement bowls in the same size were impossible to find. I considered just continuing to use the existing fire pit table as a coffee table only and buy a new fire pit. But then I came up with the idea of building a base for the table top. I removed the legs and used the beautiful slate top on top of a new cinder block base.
Original fire pit
I removed the slate tiles (they rest into indivIdual sections on the table top frame), then removed the base frame from the table top. I checked the level of the pavers the pit was going to be sitting on and readjusted.
After much research, I learned cinder blocks were the best choice since they are porous and will allow moisture in the blocks to escape as steam. Concrete blocks, or the premade wall stones, have the potential of exploding when subjected to high heat due to build up of pressure from moisture in the stones that cannot escape. Stacking the cinder blocks was the easiest part of the project. I filled the bottom course only with soil. This evidently helps dissipate heat and help keep the blocks from cracking. I did not mortar the blocks so it would be easier to disassemble or replace a block should I need to. The blocks are heavy and the structure is very sturdy and stable. Those blocks aren’t going anywhere unless I decide to move them.
Close up of fire bowl
I then added sand and lava rock into the base and put the rusted out original fire bowl into the bottom. It fit perfectly. The sides of the old fire bowl were still good and will provide extra protection for the cinder blocks, acting like a fire ring. The rusted bottom is no longer an issue as it sits on the protective base of pavers, sand and lava rock. In this close up, you can see the old fire bowl comes almost all the way up the first course of cinder blocks.
Reinserting tiles
Next I set the table top frame onto the base and reinserted the tiles. The frame completely covers the holes in the cinder blocks.
Ready for a fire
This is a photo without the center insert that turns it into a coffee table.
With insert.
I will eventually lightly “sponge” paint the exterior of the cinder blocks to make them better match the slate. But that’s a project than can wait a bit!
I had my first fire last night (forgot to take a photo). It works great. I get good air flow and can also have a bit larger fire than I could in the old shallow fire table.
Now, any ideas for the old table base/legs? The legs can be removed from the square. Maybe some kind of garden art?
Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.More info
Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 40 comments
-
Love what you did with you firepit! So maybe you could use the frame to put one of those square metal tubs in and plant some flowers in it to enjoy while out near your new firepit.
-
love it.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Perfect! I have an old fire pit like yours but one of the legs rusted and crumbled and I was going to throw it away. Now I can build a new pit like yours. Question: can you just build it on the dirt/grass instead of sand and lava rocks?
Very nice, and it will last forever! How about making an outdoor coffee table with the base? Glass or wood?
I love this Angela. I am going to do something similar with our file pit. Thanks for the inspiration. Question though, how do you grab the table top insert to pull it out? Do you have a lip or do you slip something underneath and sort of pry the top off? It looks like it is pretty flush with the sides which looked beautiful but i couldn't get my stubby fingers underneath it to pull it up.