How to Make a DIY Smokeless Fire Pit

By
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender
Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for years.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 06/15/24
Reviewed by
Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier
Reviewed by Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Smokeless Fire Pit

Wirestock / Getty Images

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Total Time: 2 - 4 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $200 to $400
  • Yield: One DIY smokeless fire pit

A glowing fire pit creates a welcoming ambiance, but too much smoke will ruin the good mood. Learn how to make a DIY smokeless fire pit in a few hours with items found at your local home center.

Before You Begin

This smokeless firepit is largely made from two items: masonry pavers and a stock tank ring. The pavers form the outer wall, and the stock tank ring forms the inner wall. There is a gap of about 2 inches between the walls.

  • Masonry pavers: Use retaining wall blocks for the outer wall. Small blocks work best (4 inches high, 8-1/2 inches wide, and 8 inches deep).
  • Stock tank ring: A stock tank ring is a galvanized steel ring 36 inches in diameter by 10 to 12 inches high. It's used to make planters or for building open fire pits and can be found at most home centers or farm supply stores.

A smokeless fire pit gives off little or no smoke because the smoke is burned a second time before it is exhausted to the outside.

Safety Considerations

Though it may not produce visible smoke, the fire pit still emits carbon monoxide. Use and test the fire pit only outdoors, in an open area. Wear eye protection and gloves when drilling or cutting metal.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 1 electric drill
  • 1 annular drill bit, 3/4-inch
  • 1 caulking gun
  • 1 drill bit set
  • 1 tape measure
  • 1 pencil
  • 1 roll painter's tape
  • 1 metal file
  • 1 shovel
  • 1 bubble level

Materials

  • 1 stock tank ring, 36 inches by 10 to 12 inches
  • 72 small retaining wall blocks
  • 1 tube fire-resistant sealant
  • 1 tube landscape block adhesive
  • 1 can high-heat spray paint
  • 3 cubic yards granite drainage gravel, 1/4-inch

Instructions

  1. Mark Hole Locations on the Insert

    Mark the location of the air vent holes along the top of the fire pit insert. Use the tape measure to mark down two inches. Mark directly on the insert with the pencil or run a strip of painter's tape and mark on that.

    When measured from the side of one hole to the side of its neighboring hole, each hole should be about 2 inches apart. Remember that the holes will eventually be 3/4-inch in diameter. Aim for about 24 holes in the insert.

  2. Drill Holes on the Insert

    Drill holes on the insert at each marked location, using a 1/4-inch drill bit. The drill bit should be appropriate for drilling in metal.

  3. Enlarge Holes in the Insert

    Insert the drill bit into the electric drill and enlarge each hole on the insert to 3/4-inch.

  4. File the Holes

    File off burrs on the holes with the metal file.

  5. Paint the Insert

    Spray the inside and the outside of the fire pit insert with high-heat black spray paint. Let the first coat thoroughly dry before applying a second coat. Be sure to paint the insert outside since you'll be using spray paint.

  6. Prepare the Fire Pit Base

    Dig out a circle 60 inches in diameter by 2 inches deep and remove the turf, if any. Check for level with the bubble level. Fill the space with the 1/4-inch drainage gravel. Use a board or rake to flatten and level the gravel.

  7. Create the First Tier of Pavers

    Place the stock tank insert on the prepared gravel base. Build the first tier of paver stones around the insert. Maintain a gap of two inches on all sides. Remove four pavers at opposite ends of the bottom tier to feed air to the main fire. Remove the insert and set it aside.

  8. Finish the Tiers of Pavers

    Add three more tiers of blocks. Run a thin bead of landscape block adhesive between the tiers. Stagger the blocks to prevent vertical seams from continuing through all tiers.

  9. Add the Fire Pit Insert

    Set the fire pit insert onto the tiers of blocks from above.

  10. Test the Fire Pit Ring

    Test the smokeless fire pit by lighting a fire. Smokeless fire pits usually will smoke at first until the secondary combustion process begins.

FAQ
  • Can you make your own smokeless fire pit?

    You can make your own smokeless fire pit by creating a secondary smoke combustion stage that re-burns the smoke. Because the fire burns hotter, it burns off smoke, as well. Masonry pavers and a metal insert are used to make a smokeless fire pit.

  • Are there smokeless solo stove fire pits?

    Solo stoves are designed to be smokeless or low-smoke. But you can reduce the smoke even more by using only a clean stove (dump out the ash each time), burning dry, seasoned wood, and building small fires.

  • How do you build a smokeless campfire?

    Build a smokeless campfire by digging a fire hole about 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide, then burrowing an eight-inch-wide tunnel out of the bottom that exits the ground about a foot away. Air drawn into the tunnel feeds the fire. Also, burn well-seasoned wood and not debris, and keep the fire small.

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