1. Select a relatively level area located a safe distance away from anything flammable such as houses, sheds, trees, shrubs or other tall plants. The foundation surface where the fire will actually rest should also be fire proof.
2. Sort through the granite and choose the pieces you want as the top layer. Some people like a solid layer of either all dark or all light pieces, while others want to mix it up. Whichever you choose, set this layer aside as it will be the last layer you put in place.
3. Next outline the footprint of the fire pit. For the round pits you can use a piece of string or twine attached to a fixed point in the center of the pit. Attach the other end to a stick or rod. The length of the string will be half the diameter of either the inner or outer edge of the fire pit. For example, the interior diameter of a small fire pit is approximately 25 inches, so your string length would be roughly 12 inches. Drag the stick around the center creating a line you can use as a guide once you start to dig. You can also spray paint the line to make it clearer. For square pits simple measure out both the interior and exterior length and width and again use spray paint for assistance if desired.
4. Once your footprint is in place dig down approximately 4 to 6 inches in order to create the space for the foundation on which the fire pit will rest. It is not necessary to dig out the entire fire pit area. Only the footprint portion where the fire pit will rest needs to be dug out.
5. To create the foundation, fill the dug out area with modified stone. Tamp down the stone trying to make it as level as possible. For the top inch of the foundation use sand or some other similar material and again tamp down making it as level as possible. Or if you prefer to make a concrete footer for the foundation, fill the dug out area with concrete and again make this as level and smooth as possible. Allow the concrete to cure for the recommended time period based on the instructions found on the concrete bag.
6. Once the foundation is in place you are ready to start stacking your layers of granite. For the stone/sand foundation, place the first layer again trying to make sure each piece is as level as possible. If the first layer is not level enough the rest of the pieces will not sit well. If you used a concrete footer for the foundation then apply High Heat Silicon onto the concrete before you put your first layer in place. Note that the pieces of granite do not have smooth ends so each joint where the pieces meet will have small gaps. This is normal and recommended as it allows air to be drawn into the fire pit to feed the fire. It also allows rainwater to drain out.
7. For each subsequent layer, put a dab of High Heat Silicone, roughly the size of a quarter, on either side of every joint. Each layer should be staggered so the joint from the lower layer is centered under the granite piece resting above it. It should have a similar appearance to stacked bricks.
8. The last layer will be the pieces you set aside at the beginning. Place the layer on top to create the look you desire and again remember to stagger the pieces. That’s it! You are finished and almost ready to use your new fire pit. While you will be tempted to build a fire right away, most silicon’s recommend a 24-hour waiting period to let the material cure properly.
2. Sort through the granite and choose the pieces you want as the top layer. Some people like a solid layer of either all dark or all light pieces, while others want to mix it up. Whichever you choose, set this layer aside as it will be the last layer you put in place.
3. Next outline the footprint of the fire pit. For the round pits you can use a piece of string or twine attached to a fixed point in the center of the pit. Attach the other end to a stick or rod. The length of the string will be half the diameter of either the inner or outer edge of the fire pit. For example, the interior diameter of a small fire pit is approximately 25 inches, so your string length would be roughly 12 inches. Drag the stick around the center creating a line you can use as a guide once you start to dig. You can also spray paint the line to make it clearer. For square pits simple measure out both the interior and exterior length and width and again use spray paint for assistance if desired.
4. Once your footprint is in place dig down approximately 4 to 6 inches in order to create the space for the foundation on which the fire pit will rest. It is not necessary to dig out the entire fire pit area. Only the footprint portion where the fire pit will rest needs to be dug out.
5. To create the foundation, fill the dug out area with modified stone. Tamp down the stone trying to make it as level as possible. For the top inch of the foundation use sand or some other similar material and again tamp down making it as level as possible. Or if you prefer to make a concrete footer for the foundation, fill the dug out area with concrete and again make this as level and smooth as possible. Allow the concrete to cure for the recommended time period based on the instructions found on the concrete bag.
6. Once the foundation is in place you are ready to start stacking your layers of granite. For the stone/sand foundation, place the first layer again trying to make sure each piece is as level as possible. If the first layer is not level enough the rest of the pieces will not sit well. If you used a concrete footer for the foundation then apply High Heat Silicon onto the concrete before you put your first layer in place. Note that the pieces of granite do not have smooth ends so each joint where the pieces meet will have small gaps. This is normal and recommended as it allows air to be drawn into the fire pit to feed the fire. It also allows rainwater to drain out.
7. For each subsequent layer, put a dab of High Heat Silicone, roughly the size of a quarter, on either side of every joint. Each layer should be staggered so the joint from the lower layer is centered under the granite piece resting above it. It should have a similar appearance to stacked bricks.
8. The last layer will be the pieces you set aside at the beginning. Place the layer on top to create the look you desire and again remember to stagger the pieces. That’s it! You are finished and almost ready to use your new fire pit. While you will be tempted to build a fire right away, most silicon’s recommend a 24-hour waiting period to let the material cure properly.