Warm Up Your Patio With a DIY Tabletop Fire Pit
The warmth of a fire pit will instantly cozy up any outdoor room. If space is an issue, make this tabletop version. It's easily customizable to fit any table, yet just as beautiful as a full-size one.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
Materials Needed
- metal or ceramic rectangle planter with lip
- glass sheet (not tempered) cut into 4 pieces
- metal mesh
- lava rocks
- marine silicone
- gel fuel
- tape measure
- tin snips
- rubber gloves
- small metal pails (optional for deep planters)
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
Make the Glass Box
Have a sheet of glass cut at the home improvement store into four pieces, each measuring 8” tall and slightly less than the length of each side of your planter. The finished box will need to rest on top of the lip of your planter. Alternatively, if the size works, you can use already cut glass from dollar store frames.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
Construct a glass box by running a bead of silicone along the edges of your glass and placing them together. Apply silicone slowly and neatly.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
For extra stability, add another bead of silicone along the inside corner of the two glass pieces. Wearing a rubber glove, smooth the silicone against the corner.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
Follow the same process to attach a third piece of glass. Hold these three pieces in place using heavy objects until the silicone dries.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
Once dry, flip the box upright and secure the last piece of glass. Let the glass box dry completely before picking up.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
Cut the Metal Mesh
While the glass box is drying, use tin snips to cut the metal mesh about 1/4” smaller than the overall size of your planter.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
The cut metal mesh should be able to fit inside the glass box but still sit on the planter lip.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
Assemble the Fire Pit
Once the glass box is constructed, add a bead of silicone along the top of your glass box. Flip it over and sit the glass box in place on the top of your planter.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
For extra security, add another bead of silicone all along the outside of the glass and smooth with a gloved finger. Let it dry completely before moving the fire pit.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
Light the Fire Pit
Prep your gel fuel by following the directions on the label. Remove lids and place 1-2 cans in the bottom of your fire pit. If your planter is deep, like ours, you may need to prop up the cans with small rocks and metal pails.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
Add the metal mesh and cover loosely with lava rocks, leaving space over the gel fuel cans.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
Carefully light your fire pit using a long lighter. The gel fuel cans burn for about three hours; to put the flame out earlier, place something nonflammable over the glass box until the flame is snuffed out. Cans can be reused until the gel fuel is gone.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
Grab a drink and sit back to enjoy your tabletop fire pit. Its ambiance is perfect for a gathering or a quiet escape. Take delight in the cozy warmth and glow it brings to any occasion.
PopFizz | Bryan Allen
