I had a similar experience when I first set up my fire pit. Thought elevating it on some bricks would be enough, but after a few months, I noticed the grass underneath was turning brown and brittle. Didn't seem like a huge deal at first, but it got me thinking about the heat transfer and potential long-term damage.
Ended up placing a layer of gravel and then some basic concrete pavers underneath—nothing fancy or expensive. Honestly, it made a noticeable difference. The grass around the area stayed healthier, and I felt way more comfortable leaving the fire going for longer periods.
I'm curious though...has anyone tried using sand beneath their pit? I've heard mixed things about it—some say it's great for heat absorption, others say it just makes a mess. Wondering if it's worth experimenting with or if sticking to stone or brick is the safer bet.
I've actually tried sand under my fire pit before, and honestly, it wasn't the greatest experience. At first, I thought it'd be perfect—cheap, easy to set up, and good for heat absorption. But after a few uses, it turned into a bit of a mess. Ash mixed with sand is annoying to clean up, and when it rains...ugh. It just becomes this gritty, muddy mess that sticks to everything.
Personally, I'd stick with gravel or pavers like you mentioned. Gravel drains better and stays cleaner over time, and concrete pavers are solid enough to provide a stable base and decent heat protection. Plus, sand tends to shift around easily, so your pit might not stay level for long.
If you're really curious though, maybe just try a small area first? But from my experience, sand isn't worth the hassle compared to stone or brick setups.
"Ash mixed with sand is annoying to clean up, and when it rains...ugh. It just becomes this gritty, muddy mess that sticks to everything."
Yeah, totally agree with this. Sand seems like a good idea at first, but it quickly becomes a maintenance headache. Gravel or pavers are definitely the way to go—especially concrete pavers. They provide a stable, level surface and handle heat really well. Plus, they're easier to sweep clean after use. If safety's your main concern, a solid, non-shifting base is key...sand just doesn't cut it long-term.
"Gravel or pavers are definitely the way to go—especially concrete pavers."
Concrete pavers sound nice, but aren't they pretty pricey? I'm trying to keep costs down, so gravel seems more doable. Has anyone tried pea gravel or something similar? Wondering if it's stable enough or if it'll shift around too much... I'd rather not end up with a wobbly chair situation every time we sit around the fire pit, lol.
Pea gravel looks nice, but honestly, it shifts around quite a bit—especially with chairs. Had it at our last place and was constantly leveling things out. Maybe crushed granite or limestone fines instead? Curious if anyone's tried those around a fire pit...
