Fireplace at the Dacha: Arrangement, Examples

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Svetlana Shevtsova 03/19/2020

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A fire is an important component of a cozy landscape design in a summer cottage. A place for a fire in a country house is chosen based on safety parameters, ergonomics relative to other objects and aesthetic appeal. If you achieve a harmonious relationship between these three parameters, the corner with the fireplace will become a favorite place for relaxation for all family members.
From time immemorial, mystical properties have been attributed to fire. It was believed that the flame could cleanse and protect from evil. He was deified, worshiped, sacrifices and ritual ceremonies were performed. Today, psychologists recognize flame contemplation as one of the effective therapies for relaxation, distraction from worries and achieving peace. Indeed, you can watch the fire indefinitely. It is especially pleasant to do this in your own garden, sitting in a cozy hammock, inhaling the aroma of roasting meat.

Why make a fireplace?

Metal portable bowl

There is a corner with a fire pit in almost every suburban area. Why do people build such a platform and how to use it?

1Fire helps to warm up on cool evenings. Makes family gatherings enjoyable and carefree

2It is used as an open stove for roasting vegetables, meat or fish on the grill or skewers. If you equip a grill or hooks for hanging pots, you can cook vegetable soups, fish soup, cook pilaf and other delicious dishes. Sunday barbecue is a great occasion to gather friends and family

3Brings a unique zest to the exterior of the dacha. Can act as the center of a landscape composition or play an important role in the ensemble

4Performs a relaxing function, helping households relax comfortably in the fresh air. From a psychological point of view, watching a fire is an excellent antidepressant.

5Fire also performs a purely practical task. It illuminates the area in the evening and can be used to burn garbage and non-hazardous waste. Wood ash is also used in folk medicine, and also as a good fertilizer for garden plants.

Firewood storage facility

At a close distance from the fireplace there is a wooden stand and a canopy where firewood is stored. The structure is made of 20x40 mm boards using fastening metal corners or cut 45x45 mm bars. Screws are also required for assembly. To store logs, ventilation must be provided. The canopy protects from precipitation.

Rules for site development

Convenient location of the fire pit on level ground

When setting up a modern fire pit, safety precautions must be observed. This will protect you from accidents. Protects children, gardens, buildings and fences.

The rules are simple:

Maintain distance from country buildings, beds, bushes and trees. Keep in mind that strong winds can carry large flames up to 3 meters, and sparks even further
Keeping this in mind, it is advisable to set up a fireplace at least 10 meters from houses and other buildings, 5 meters from plantings
Make sure there are no overhanging trees or flammable structures over the fire
Be sure to provide good drainage under the fireplace.
Carefully control the stability and strength of the structure
In case of rain, a canopy or even a roof is provided, which will protect the seats around the corner
The ground surface must be flat and level. It is not advisable to settle on hillocks, ditches or lowlands
The structure may be made from fire-resistant components. When burning, they should not emit toxic odors, decompose, or melt
An irrigation system should be within accessible proximity: a water tank, sandbags, a water tap with a connected hose

At your dacha, you must have a fire extinguisher in case of an unexpected fire. It will help to quickly and efficiently extinguish any object.

Fire pit in the garden photo

Building a fire pit is very simple. The main tool is a shovel. The hole is dug to a depth of half a meter. The solution is being prepared. Portland cement is mixed with sand.

Stones are laid out in the first row. Concrete gravy is made under them. Drainage is provided by a grate placed at the bottom or a metal sheet with holes.

After completion of the masonry, the space between the walls is filled. They use the remaining soil left after digging a hole.

What to make a fireplace out of

Fire pit

Car rim with welded struts

The choice of material consists of three parts. Firstly, it is determined what the base for the fire pit will be made of. Secondly, the bowl itself, the recess or firebox. Thirdly, if the hearth will be used as a barbecue, you need to take care of the upper part of the structure.

Use only non-flammable materials. The metal frame must be thick enough, otherwise it will quickly thin out and burn out. Concrete blocks and bricks must be fireproof.

Among the materials in demand, fire-resistant ceramics, brick or metal are most often used. They look aesthetically pleasing and fit well into the country house exterior. They can be easily supplemented with a grill grate, a lid, or placed on top of a skewer.

What improvised items are used to construct country hearths?

From stones

From stones in a chaotic order

From stones

Flat specimens are selected, and if necessary, the top and bottom are polished. The stones are laid on top of each other along the approved perimeter. If necessary, they are glued together with fire-resistant glue. It is most convenient to make such a hearth rectangular or square.
For a round shape, you need to find beveled triangular stones. They are laid out in the place where the structure is rounded. The installation procedure will take a little longer.
A strong metal ring must be inserted inside the frame. It will not allow the fence to crack or fall apart over time.

Made from concrete blocks or bricks

Concrete fireplace

Made from concrete blocks or bricks

The installation principle is identical to the previous one. It’s just that blocks of the correct rectangular shape will be much easier to build. They are tall, which means you don’t have to make many rows.
Take care of the stability of the structure. It is advisable to dig the first row into the ground. Be sure to add a good layer of drainage to the bottom of the hole.
By the way, you can use semicircular concrete blocks, which are used to create borders around trees.

From a car wheel or a washing machine tank

New life for old things

From an old car wheel or washing machine tank

Prepare a place for the fire, level the ground, remove grass and stones.
Install a disk or galvanized ring , dig a hole 10 cm deep inside and fill it with gravel.
For beauty, you can lay a brick wall around the metal frame.

From an old barrel

Decorating an old fire barrel

From an old barrel

Knock the bottom out of the container. If the barrel is tall, use a hacksaw or grinder to cut off the unnecessary centimeters.
Make cuts along the top edge and fold the sharp edges inward.
Dig the barrel into the ground, making sure it is stable. If it wobbles, deepen the hole.
Make several holes in the walls to allow air to flow inside the fire pit.

From paving slabs

An example made from paving stones

From paving slabs

The installation method is identical to those described above.
The laying technology will depend on the design and shape of the tile.

Preparing a site for a fire in swampy areas and on water

In swampy areas, if you do not have a fire pit, starting a fire can be difficult.

To protect the fire from water, it can be done on the flooring. For this:

Three spears break off. You can take four, but this is an extra waste of time. Horns are stuck into the bottom of the reservoir so that their “horns” rise above the water. If you look at the structure from above, the spears should be located in the shape of an equilateral triangle. When using four spears, a square should form.
On three slingshots, two poles are placed in the gap between the “horns” so that on one of them the ends of two poles lie simultaneously, while on the other two slingshots - on one end of the other poles.
A flooring of thin logs is placed on top of the poles, which it is advisable to cover with earth so that the logs do not quickly burn out. If there is no dry earth, and you plan to burn the fire later, you can spread a thick layer of dirt on the flooring: by the time the fire is lit, it will have time to drain a little and dry out. That's it - the fire pit is ready.

Also, for the same purposes, you can make a small raft and similarly cover it with a layer of earth that protects the structural elements from burning.

Fire pit in the middle of a swamp.

I know of other ways to protect fire from water, but they are either more complex or require additional materials that are not always at hand, so I see no point in talking about them.

Review of purchased kits

Ready-made outdoor hearth

Fire bowls and ready-made fire pits will be the optimal solution for a gardener who can afford such a purchase. Unfortunately, the pleasure does not fall into the cheap category. But if your budget allows, you can choose amazing designs.

The assortment of special stores with equipment for country holidays includes cast iron or ceramic hearths, barbecues, tandoors, beautiful spheres, bowls, ready-made designs for outdoor fireplaces, fire barrels and other vessels.

Bowls and spheres

Bonfire sphere

Bowls and spheres

They are a bestseller. They have different diameters, depths, and are made of different alloys. Some are suitable for grilling.
They are rounded compositions with metal carvings on a low or high base. The set includes lids, protective glasses, and tongs for turning over coals.
The price range varies in the range from 7 thousand rubles. for an ordinary concrete bowl, up to 150 thousand rubles. for a unique design idea.

Street fires

Classic ready-made design

Street fires

These are ready-made structures for installation in a specific location. They are not transported, not disassembled, and are used only for their intended purpose. The structure is dug into the ground, strictly following the instructions.
Made of high quality metal, beautifully decorated.
The cost of a finished fire pit starts from 80 thousand rubles.

Fire barrel

Fire barrel

It is convenient to use it instead of a barbecue. It is tall, has a small diameter, and the metal maintains a uniform temperature.
You can buy the product at a price of 20 thousand rubles.

Braziers

Stylish grill design

Braziers

For cooking meat or vegetables on skewers. The most convenient shape is rectangular, depth – from 25 cm.
The upper walls of the vessel usually have notches for installing iron knitting needles.
A simple, laconic product will cost 3-5 thousand, but the upper limit can be even more than 100 thousand.

Cooking utensils over a fire

Cauldron with frying pan lid

Cooking utensils over a fire

Tandoors, cauldrons, frying pans, cast iron, flat stones for baking. These are utensils for outdoor cooking. It comes as a pleasant bonus to the complete set of a country fireplace.
The cost of containers depends on their volume, manufacturer, and quality of the metal. The average price for a 15-liter pilaf cauldron with a lid is 4-5 thousand rubles.
Over time, avid gardeners acquire useful accessories, outdoor frying utensils, and folding furniture. They pay attention even to small things, like all kinds of gratings, tongs, and hooks for hanging. They think over a design that includes a decorative woodpile, bright blankets, and mosquito nets.

Gazebo with fire pit

The location of the outdoor fireplace can be arranged in an open or closed gazebo. A mandatory element in this case is a chimney and an exhaust hood. Often such buildings are called Scandinavian houses. The design with a fire bowl inside resembles a hut or tent. Here you can relax comfortably with friends and cook delicious food. If the gazebo is closed, nothing will interfere with family relaxation or friendly gatherings. No rain, no wind, no snow.

Sizing Guidelines

Setting up a relaxation area near the fire

The most common shapes are round or rectangular. The first is considered classic, and the second is convenient because it is easier to lay out yourself.

The optimal diameter of a round fire pit is 80-100 cm. The convenient size of a square hearth is 50*50 cm. The harmonious aspect ratio of a rectangle is 60*30 cm.

The depth of the foundation should be at least 25 cm. The same height of the drainage layer is maintained. Essentially, gravel is poured into the hole until it reaches ground level.

The perimeter of the foundation should protrude 10-15 cm beyond the fireplace. That is, it is dug in along the outer edge of the internal steel frame.

How to hide the place where the fire was burning?

Many people do not care about maintaining their camp site in the same condition as when they started organizing the camp. But this rule is a sign of good manners among tourists, and in some cases a necessity, for example, when the task is to hide the place where the camp was located.

To ensure that there is no fire left from the fire, you can:

Make fires that do not leave a fire pit, for example, a Finnish candle or one of the options for a fire in a pit.
Light a fire on a log deck or on a platform made of stones. After this, the cooled logs and stones can be hidden in dense thickets, or they can be left for others.
Light a fire near a pond when the water level in it drops so that the rising water washes away traces of the fire.
Light a fire in special camp stoves, wood chippers, or use burners and dry fuel with a special stand for it.

If it is necessary to hide the place where the fire burned after the fact, it can be covered with earth, covered with leaves, or the turf can be replaced with a similar one dug in another place.

Step-by-step installation instructions

Most often, summer residents create their hearth from stones. Use any available breed. How to set up a fire safely, comfortably and beautifully?

Above ground installation

Example of above ground installation

Step by step installation:

1 Find a flat area and clear it of foreign objects. Make sure it meets the security parameters listed above

2 Prepare the perimeter for further improvement , when benches, a gazebo, and other structures will be located around the fire. Remove the top layer of soil from this area. Later it will be possible to lay paving stones or pour crushed stone here

3In the place where the fire pit will be, dig a hole up to 30 cm deep

4Insert the metal ring inside

5 Pour gravel into the container . It will ensure the stability of the structure and good drainage of water after extinguishing or rain. It also promotes good air circulation, which helps the fire burn easily and without excess smoke.

6 Lay stone walls around the structure , with the first tier of bricks completely buried in the ground. For reliable adhesion of the masonry, use a solution or glue that is not afraid of heat

7 The height of the well is determined at the request of the builder . Some people like deep hearths, others are limited to half a meter high walls

8 Create a lid for the fire . It will prevent melt water, rain, and debris from falling inside. It will also extinguish the flame and become a natural barrier to smoldering sparks.

Deep installation

Deep installation of fire pit

Step by step installation:

1 Preliminary activities similar to the previous technology: preparing the place , clearing the area for sun loungers

2 At the site of the fire, it is necessary to dig a pit with a depth of 0.5 - 0.7 m. The diameter should be 10 cm wider than planned

3 Gravel is poured onto the bottom to a height of 10-15 cm

4 The side walls are laid out with fireproof bricks , do not forget about the coupling

5 You can replace masonry with a steel ring . In this case, the diameter of the pit should fit the metal frame tightly

6The entrance hole is beautifully decorated with tiles or paving stones around the perimeter

7The fire pit dug into the ground is also equipped with a tight lid

Iron racks with a horizontal crossbar are installed above the fireplaces, on which hooks are hung. You can hang kettles for fish soup on them, boil water for tea or cook compotes. Gourmets fix a metal spit and roast the whole bird on it.

Preparing a fire pit in deep snow

If we consider the situation in a winter snow-covered forest, then most fires, without preliminary preparation of the place for their lighting, will melt the snow and go to depth. In this case, the water from the melted snow will moisten the fire, and the resulting hole will reduce the access of oxygen, which can negatively affect combustion. Well, of course, a fire buried under the snow can no longer be considered as a source of heating, and cooking food on it, located 1.5 meters below the snow level, is also somehow not very convenient.

To avoid these inconveniences, there are several solutions:

Excavate the fire pit down to the ground and expand it. This option is convenient for cooking and heating during the day in between other activities around the camp when there is a small layer of snow cover.
If the depth of the snow cover is great (tested with a long straight stick stuck into the snow to the ground) and digging is impractical, you can make a deck for many fires from thick logs. This flooring should be wider than the fire itself. In this case, even if the fire melts the snow, it will only be in the central part, while the edges of the flooring will remain in the unheated areas, keeping the burning wood on the surface.
Use types of fires that do not melt snow. For example, you can make a wooden primus stove with your own hands for cooking or a node from two logs for a comfortable overnight stay, and a taiga fire will help you both cook food and keep warm without making any special efforts.

The Finnish candle is a fire that requires very little space and does not fall into the snow.

If you plan to make a fire just to boil a mug of tea, then you can light it on a floor made of brushwood or pieces of tree bark. Such a fire will cope with its task before going into the depths.

Stylish ideas for corner design

Cozy corner

In order for a country fire to become cozy and homely, the area around it must be elegantly decorated. Create comfortable seating, a reliable barrier from the wind, and a canopy from the rain. Create an elegant design and add cute country decor details.

So your hearth will become the center of country life, a gathering place for household members on warm summer evenings. What is the design of a fire pit made of?

Let's look at the popular attributes:

What to sit on

Stylish country furniture

Let us remember the famous shots from the cult Soviet film “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears.” The heroine sits in a wicker rocking chair, wrapped in a warm blanket, and a fire smokes deliciously next to her. Very romantic and cozy.

Indeed, wicker furniture is pleasant to the touch, inexpensive, and fits perfectly into country design. Instead of a rocking chair, you can buy a set of regular deep chairs. Or a couple of narrow sofas.

Lovers of naturalistic style will love the idea of making stools from logs. If you install them symmetrically around the perimeter and lay a board on top, you will get a wooden bench. A four-sided bench made of horizontal birch trunks installed around a fire will look even more original.

Today it is fashionable to buy sun loungers for the dacha. You can lie down on them in the evenings and sunbathe in the sun during the day. There are different models on sale, from simple plastic or wooden ones, to expensive ones, equipped with soft foam inserts and different modes for changing the position of the backrest.

Don't forget about textile design, which plays a huge role in creating harmonious decors. Throw a bright pillow into the chairs, and lay a knitted striped blanket on the sofa. Place fabric napkins and a basket of knitting balls on the table.

Campfire utensils

Regular charcoal tongs

It includes all kinds of objects and tools that are used in the ignition process. These are tongs, hooks, skewers, grills, dishes, etc. They can be used beautifully in design if you come up with a place for each item.

For example, build an elegant shelf for a cauldron and a pot. Hang skewers nearby, place a spatula, and a grill grate.

Floral decor

Greenery around the fire

Decorative shrubs and beautiful flower beds are planted around the fire pit. Remember the recommended distance to the fireplace. It is not necessary to make plantings close to the site.

If you have a gazebo nearby, try covering it with vine branches, ivy or another similar plant. It looks very picturesque and expressive.

Stylish designs

Chic composition from old tires

They are created independently from any objects. Sometimes even a pile of large boulders creates an amazing ensemble if placed in a favorable location.

Try taking old tires from wheels, laying them around the area and painting them in your favorite color. By the way, there are a lot of instructions on the Internet for creating funny characters from several wheels. They are used to decorate flower beds, make islands and slides.

If you are ready to invest in decor, purchase unusual urns, graceful garden statues, and abstract lattice fencing. How about a beautiful cast iron lantern? You can also install a swing nearby.

Alcove

An example of a successful design with a gazebo

Every gardener's dream. Often a fire pit is installed next to the gazebo, because there are already ready-made seats, a table and a roof over your head.

There are different designs: made of wood, stone, glass. They are sold ready-made, or become the result of the creativity of dacha residents. A beautiful gazebo is the basis of a country exterior, so put your imagination and effort into decorating it.

How to beat a woodpile

Decorative woodpile

A stack of prepared firewood is the epitome of bonfire events. It evokes the anticipation of a pleasant time next to the fire. Helps create a relaxed, warm atmosphere.

Try to build a special place where you will put logs. Garden stores sell ready-made woodpiles.

It is advisable to allocate the area around the hearth zonally. For example, fill it with gravel, crushed stone, lay out paving slabs or cobblestones. Consider lighting options, because at night the light from the fire is not enough.

Make sure you have a sink so you can quickly rinse your hands or dishes. It is not necessary to install a water supply; a hand washbasin is sufficient. If there are stable posts nearby, try stringing a hammock.

It’s easy to make a fireplace area with your own hands, especially if you use your imagination. Let the man be responsible for the technical and practical part of the task. And the woman will bring comfort and harmony, adding cute and pleasant things to the place. Let your evenings at the dacha become a wonderful family tradition.

Stunning corner of a country house

The video clearly demonstrates how to make a simple hearth using stones and a shovel in a couple of hours of work:

How to protect a fire from precipitation

It should be noted that some types of fires themselves are not afraid of minor short-term precipitation. These include, for example, nodya, Finnish candle or Dakota hearth. The last two can easily withstand drizzling rain, being covered with a flat stone or a dish in which food is cooked. But with heavy rain or snowfall, even they can go out, so knowing how to protect the fire from getting wet is still useful.

A big fire that burns safely in the rain.

Most often, for these purposes, they use an awning or canopy made from scrap materials - spruce branches, for example. In some cases, it is possible to find natural shelter, for example, a large boulder, under which you can sit with a fire.

You can organize a place for a fire in a cave, but this is not always convenient: the fire has to be lit at the entrance, which makes it difficult to freely enter and exit the cave, especially with a narrow passage. If you light a fire inside the cave itself, you can be poisoned by the combustion products of the fuel.

Despite the popular belief that our ancestors lived in caves, in fact, this way of life was not typical for them: caves are damp, dark, and lighting a fire inside will cause more harm than the benefits that can be gained from such actions. Ancient people sometimes used caves as temporary shelters, but overall the "caveman" is more of a literary trope than an actual milestone in human history.

What kind of care does furniture require?

— Wooden furniture must be periodically coated with weather-resistant compounds. Inexpensive products (for example, made from domestic pine) are best stored indoors. Moreover, they are not as afraid of rain as the scorching sun after a rainstorm. When it gets hot, the moisture in the ends of the furniture quickly evaporates, and the wood begins to crack. We use larch or paulownia wood in our premium products. We experimented with the latter for quite some time, discovering amazing resistance to pests and rot.

The most reliable materials are concrete and fiber-reinforced concrete. The furniture made from them is quite cold, but you can always put wooden seats or sheep skins, blankets, etc. on it.