Do you need sand at the bottom of a fire pit?
Table of Contents
The sand absorbs the heat and distributes the heat throughout the entire base of the pit evenly. Without the sand, the heat can become concentrated in one specific area. When this happens, it can lead to the metal at the bottom of the fire pit deteriorating and burning through.
What do you put at the bottom of a fire pit?
What do you put in the bottom of a fire pit? You’ll want to start with a layer of sand at the bottom of the pit, and then top the sand with gravel, lava rocks, fire pit glass, paving stones or even bricks for your fire pit. Alternatively, you can simply use dirt.

What kind of sand do you put in the bottom of a fire pit?
Fire-proof silica sand is an excellent base layer for a fire pit. Silica sand can be used as cost-effective filler to cover the bottom areas of a fire pit. Fire glass or lava rock can be added on top of the sand for effect.
Can I use paver sand for fire pit?
Paver base and sand will help you create a good foundation for the pavers that will surround your fire pit.

Can I use any sand for my fire pit?
You are able to use all-purpose sand in a fire pit. The composition of all-purpose sand is such that it will not melt under the heat of a fire pit until it reaches 3090°F.
How do you build a fire pit with drainage?
Add Drainage
- If the soil drains well or there is moderate precipitation, simply dig a hole in the center of the fire pit. The hole should be 12 inches in diameter and 18 inches deep.
- If the soil doesn’t drain well or there is heavy precipitation, dig a trench from the center out.
What does putting sand on a fire do?
The main benefits of using sand are that it helps to soak up the heat and evenly distribute the heat throughout the fire pit. Sand is also great for protecting the actual metal bowl from the intense heat the fire can put out.
Why do you put sand in the bottom of a fire pit?
Basically, the layer of sand that you put at the bottom of your fire pit is designed to protect the metal that is used at the bottom of the bowl. The extreme heat produced by the fire needs to be absorbed, and sand does a good job of that.
What is the best material for the bottom of a fire pit?
One of the best materials that you can use for the bottom of your fire pit is sand. Why Choose Sand? There is actually a pretty simple reason why you should consider using sand in the fire pit. Basically, the layer of sand that you put at the bottom of your fire pit is designed to protect the metal that is used at the bottom of the bowl.
How much gravel do you put in a fire pit?
Gravel is a fantastic option because it is commonly available and if you have a fire pit and need an inexpensive option, you should definitely consider using this. If you don’t want to be very particular about the use of gravel, you should just put in enough to cover 10% of the fire pit.
How to choose the best lava rocks for a fire pit?
Ideally, you should choose natural magma lava stone, since they offer the best results. They are going to be the perfect shade of pink and you can easily use them at the bottom of your fire pit. One of the reasons why lava rocks are a great choice is because they give you a very exotic and stylish look.