Did you put any drainage holes or gravel underneath your pit? Moisture buildup can cause bricks to crack faster, especially in colder climates. I built mine similarly—firebricks and heat-resistant mortar—but added a gravel base for drainage, and it's held up pretty well so far. Might help prevent future cracks...just something to consider if you're worried about longevity.
Good point about drainage—I agree it's important, especially in colder areas. When I built mine, I actually skipped the gravel (risky, I know...) but compensated by slightly sloping the base outward to help water run off naturally. It's held up surprisingly well through a couple harsh winters. Still, your gravel idea sounds like a smart precaution. Might have to borrow that if I ever redo mine.
Your approach sounds pretty solid, actually. While gravel is definitely a good practice, especially in colder climates, your method of sloping the base outward is a clever workaround. I've seen similar setups hold up surprisingly well, even through tough winters, as long as the slope is consistent enough to prevent standing water.
If you ever do decide to redo it and add gravel, here's a quick tip: make sure you dig down at least 4-6 inches below your intended fire pit base level. Then lay down landscape fabric first—this helps keep weeds and grass from poking through later. After that, add your gravel layer (pea gravel or crushed stone works great), compact it down firmly, and then build your fire pit on top. This layering really helps with drainage and stability over time.
But honestly, if your current setup has already survived a couple harsh winters without issues, you're probably in good shape. Sometimes the simplest solutions work best. I built mine with gravel because I'm a bit cautious by nature, but I've seen plenty of pits without gravel hold up just fine. Your slight slope idea is actually pretty smart—water runoff is key, after all.
One thing I'd suggest keeping an eye on is any shifting or settling after heavy rains or freeze-thaw cycles. If you notice unevenness or pooling water starting to form, that's usually a sign it's time to revisit the base. Otherwise, sounds like you've got a good handle on things already. Nice job thinking outside the box!
"Your slight slope idea is actually pretty smart—water runoff is key, after all."
Agreed, drainage is everything. I've seen plenty of fire pits fail because folks underestimate water pooling. Gravel's ideal, but honestly, your slope method should hold up fine if it's consistent. Just watch for erosion over time...
Totally agree on drainage—seen too many pits turn into mini ponds after heavy rain. Gravel's great, but compacted sand underneath can also help stability. Just make sure the slope isn't steep enough to trip someone up when it's dark... learned that lesson the hard way.
