Make a cute DIY tabletop fire pit with just a few materials that you can enjoy outdoors on your patio or porch.

Sitting outside and enjoying a fire doesn't have to include a huge fire building undertaking. This simple fire pit craft can be just the ticket if you want to enjoy the look of flames or even roast a marshmallow on a table sitting on your outdoor patio or porch.

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Materials to make firepit including lava rock, a cement pot, metal mesh, aluminun tape, wire cutters, and a fuel can.

How to Make a Tabletop Firepit

Supplies

Short Wide Pot or Planter with Drainage Holes (cement or concrete)
Wire Mesh
Metal Tape
Fireglass Lava Rock or other fire-resistant rock
Sterno Smores Heat Fuel Can

Step 1. - Start with a cement or concrete pot with drainage. This is especially needed if you are going to leave it outdoors in the rain when you are not using it. You can find these in garden centers or other home improvement stores, or you may have one at home you can upcycle.

Measuring the height of a pot with a ruler.

Step 2. - Measure the height of your vessel.

Step 3. Cut some wire metal mesh that can withstand high temperatures slightly shorter (about 1/4 inch) than the height and long enough to wrap around a gel fuel can.

Step 4. - Wrap the wire mesh around your fuel can and hold it in place until you can cover and seal it with aluminum tape.

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Taping the wire mesh together to create a cylinder.

I covered the entire inside and outside seam with tape to make sure it was secure.

Setting the cylinder in the pot centered in the middle.

Step 5. - Set the wire cylinder in the middle of your pot or vessel.

Filling the pot with lava rock around the cylinder of wire.

Step 6. - Start filling the pot with lava rock around the wire cylinder.

Setting the fuel can in the wire cylinder and lighting the fuel with a fire stick.

Step 7. - Set the fuel can into the wire cylinder and continue to fill in with rocks.

Tip: You may need to add a few rocks to the bottom of the cylinder to lift up the fuel can.

Safety Notes: Light the fire with a long-handled lighter. Keep the fire pit away from any flammable materials. Never leave the fire burning unattended and make sure there is plenty of ventilation around the fire pit. Also don't forget to extinguish the flame when you are done by placing the cap back on the fuel can.

Roasting marshmallows above the firepit.

The Smore's sterno fuel is food-safe and meant to be used for roasting marshmallows. However, be careful as I noticed my marshmallows seemed to immediately catch fire so you'll need to practice with keeping the marshmallows further away from the flame.

Side view of the homemade tabletop fire pit.

If you are not interested in cooking on your fire pit then you can use standard Sterno fuel gel cans or even a small torch for the flame.

Sitting and watching a flame from a pretty vessel creates a lovely ambiance and is certainly a relaxing way to enjoy the evening.

More Patio Projects

DIY Fire Pit Table Top

Here's an easy tutorial that will show you how to create a diy tabletop fire bowl or fire pit for your backyard patio.

Active Time29

Total Time29

Yield:

Equipment

Wire Cutters
Ruler

Materials

Instructions

Measure the height of your pot.
Cut the wire mesh slightly less than the height of the pot.
Wrap the wire mesh around the sterno can and tape it together with aluminum tape.
Set the wire mesh cylinder in the middle of the pot.
Fill in with lava rock around the cylinder.
Set the sterno fuel in the wire cylinder. Add a few rocks in the bottom if needed.
Continue to fill with rocks to the top of the can and hide the edges.
Remove the fuel cap, light it with a long lighter, and enjoy.
To put out the flame cover with the can lid.

Notes

Options and Substitutions

If you don't want to cook with the fire pit you can use regular fuel cans and enjoy the fire.

You can also use a small tiki torch instead of a fuel can.

You can use sand or other non-flammable filler such as pea gravel or fire pebbles to hold the can in place. Fill it most of the way then add a small layer of fire glass rocks on top.

Choose a container that can withstand heat such as concrete, cement, terra cotta, clay, or other fire resistant rock.

Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram