I wanted 2 column gas fire pits for my back patio but who knew that column gas fire pits were so expensive?!  I didn’t know that I would be looking at fire pits in the $300-400 range for the size that I wanted.

My uncle got me a subscription to Family Handyman for Christmas and their May 2019 Magazine had plans for a nice block fire pit that you could make “in 1 day!” This fire pit was more square than I wanted and used a 20# propane tank, which was much bigger than I wanted.  I want a fire pit that is easily moveable since my patio is so small I would like to tuck these fire pits out of the way when I’m not using them.

I thought if Family Handyman can make this fire pit then HOW HARD CAN IT BE?!  I’M GOING TO MAKE MY OWN!

Thanks for the subscription, Uncle, It’s not like I didn’t have enough projects already!

The actual *making* of the fire pit didn’t actually take me that long.  The planning and finding affordable items in the size I wanted did.  It took me 3 weeks to procure all my items.  As I was planning the column fire pits, the first thing I purchased was the Fire Pit Burner.  I didn’t want anything too big and most everything I could find was huge.  I’m assuming that when most people make their own fire pits they live in houses with spacious backyards where they can have a designated fire pit.  Well, I wanted something no larger than 10”-12”.  Family Handyman commented that they bought their affordable burner via Az Patio Heaters and that was where I ended up finding the 2 “Plug & Play” Fire Pit Burners that I ended up purchasing.  Their smallest size was the 10”x10” ready to use fire pit burner and they were only $55 each!  These came as a full set with the burner, the tray, the hose attachment, and the control knob.

This turned out to be a nice compact size

Az Patio Heaters Plug & Play –PR-PC Fire Pit Burner (Ready to use):  https://azpatioheaters.com/GSF-PR-PC-Fire-Pit-Burner.html

For the body of the fire pits, I knew I needed something metal and finding affordable, tall, columnar, metal planters was not easy – most planters are now plastic which would not work.  Luckily, I came across a 3-Piece Metal Pot Planter Set from Wayfair.  They were in 3 separate sizes.  The page gave rough dimensions, I ordered, and hoped for the best.  The smallest one would be too small to turn into a fire pit but I was hoping that the bigger two would work out.  I decided to make the mid-sized pot as my “test run”

I was impressed by the size but they were very light

3-Piece Metal Pot Planter Set:  https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/cole-grey-3-piece-metal-pot-planter-set-cogr9954.html

Also from Wayfair I bought Burnt Reflective Fire Pit Glass in a turquoise blue color.  I bought 2 orders of 10lbs of fireglass (20lbs total) for $20.99 each

Burnt Reflective Fire Pit Glass:  https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/fire-sense-burnt-reflective-fire-pit-glass-frs1400.html

I cut rectangle by the top for the regulator to fit through, cut the bottom out of the planter, and drilled 1” holes on each side of the planter so the propane can escape in case of leakage.

Cutting and bending the metal was…interesting

I needed a frame to add to the burner in order to add on top of the planter.  The burner will be modular so that I can take it off and on so I can take the propane tank out of the fire pit.

Picture Frame:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0757GZ795/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As I said before, I wanted a 5# propane tank.  This was hard to find.  Most all stores have either the 20# propane tank or 1# propane tank so I had to buy the 5# propane tank from Amazon.

Manchester 5# tank:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000243QA0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A quick once over with matte black spray paint and the fire pit was ready!

Came out pretty well if I do say so myself!

To protect my fire pit when not in use, I bought a Kettle Grill Cover.

Kettle Grill Cover:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071H9G1NF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Overall I’m happy how it came out. I am going to change the frame around the burner but that will be another project for another day.  Since I’m comfortable with what I’m dealing with now, I’m ready to make the big fire pit!

Now I can enjoy evenings by the fire without smelling like smoke!