How to Make a Personal Fire Pit

Relaxing evenings spent next to a fire pit are usually reserved for people with backyards and lots of space. Even if you do not have a large yard, or if you live in an apartment or condo, you too can enjoy the flickering flames of a fire pit.

Purchase a square metal garden planter. The sides need to be the same lengths. Make sure the planter has a metal lip that runs around the inside walls. You will sit the grates on the lip later, so do not buy a planter without the lip.

Measure the length of the planter's sides. Purchase some inexpensive glass picture frames that are the same length as the planter sides. Remove the glass from the frames.

Glue edges of the glass pieces together so they form a box that will fit on top of the metal planter. Squirt a bead of marine silicone along the edges where the glass pieces connect. Glue two pieces together so they form an "L" shape. Use some books to prop up the pieces as the silicone dries. Glue the other two glass pieces together into an "L" shape and prop them up as well. Allow to dry for 20 minutes.

Apply a line of marine silicone to the edges of the glass pieces so that the two "L" shapes combine to form a box. Use books to hold the glass together while the silicone dries. Wait another 20 minutes before proceeding.
Scrape away any excess silicone with a razor knife.

Squirt a bead of silicone around the bottom edge of the entire glass box. Set the glass box on top of the metal planter so the glass rests squarely on it. Allow 20 more minutes for the silicone to dry.

Remove the cap from a can of heating gel Set the can in the middle of the bottom of the planter. Cut two pieces of metal mesh material to size so that it fits down into the glass box and rests on top of the lip of the planter. Make sure you place two pieces in case one ever falls or becomes dislodged during use.

Cover the top of the mesh material with heavy, round, decorative rocks. Discard any rocks that are extremely lightweight, cracked, or damaged. The heat could cause the flawed rocks to pop during use.

Place the fire pit outside in a safe location, away from any tree branches. Use a long kitchen or fireplace match to light the canned heating gel.