Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you really need a particular item, but you don’t want to fork over the money to buy it? Happens to me all the time…like the broken headlight that I have been driving around with all Summer long…
Yes Dad, I know I need to get it fixed, but I also have my priorities 🙂
Lately, I have been ALL about s’mores. S’more blizzards from DQ, s’more candles, s’more lip gloss {coming from someone that has never been much of a s’mores fan}. I decided it was time that I have a s’mores party, but I don’t have a fire pit. And I’m certainly not going to spend my money on one…after all I need to fix my broken headlight, remember!?
While browsing Pinterest one evening I saw that people make their own fire pits {how smart are they}!? I knew it was time to jump on this bandwagon.
These small fire pits are super easy to make too!
You will need a small flower pot, {I chose a ceramic flower pot, then spray painted it navy and added a white stripe} some river rocks, and a chafing fuel container.
Instructions:
1. Fill the flower pot with the river rocks.
2. Even out the river rocks, so you have a flat surface.
3. Place the chafing fuel container on top of the river rocks. Make sure the chafing fuel container sets up a little higher than the flower pot.
4. Evenly place the rest of the river rocks around the chafing fuel container.
Remove the chafing fuel lid, light the container {don’t be fooled this thing gets HOT!} and volià! You have your very own small fire pit. Perfect for making s’mores!
And you didn’t break the bank either, because this little guy costs less than $5 to make!
So you can spend the rest of your money on your broken headlight, or I can anyways. 😉
Who’s ready for some s’mores!?
See my S’mores Party here.
P.S. Looking for some more outdoor party inspiration? Check out my Clam Bake party!
craftycoup says
July 23, 2014 at 8:08 amWhat a cute idea!
theblueeyeddove says
July 23, 2014 at 9:07 amThank you! Glad you liked it 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Constance Perkins says
November 15, 2016 at 1:27 pmHow does one turn off the burner?
[email protected] says
November 15, 2016 at 4:27 pmYou can put the lid back on or blow the flame out. Hope this helps 🙂
Pat says
July 23, 2014 at 8:41 amVery good Erin! Perfect for a small patio!
theblueeyeddove says
July 23, 2014 at 9:02 amThanks, Pat! It works well for our patio 🙂
Renee says
July 23, 2014 at 9:21 amSuch a cute idea! This is perfect for city living and small balconies. I always want a fire pit on summer night but have to settle for candles. Not anymore!!
theblueeyeddove says
July 23, 2014 at 9:24 amThanks, Renee! You could even use a larger flower pot and put a few more chafing fuel containers in it to make a “bigger” fire pit 🙂
Audrey@That Recipe says
August 23, 2014 at 4:55 pmFound this on SITS Girls. Great idea and so simple. I just need the chafing fuel to make it.
theblueeyeddove says
August 23, 2014 at 5:02 pmThanks, Audrey! Glad you liked it. I found my chafing fuel at Party City for less than $2. It has worked perfect! Have a nice weekend 🙂
My Creative Days says
August 25, 2014 at 1:09 pmI need to try this! How much fun would this be at a party! Great idea
theblueeyeddove says
August 25, 2014 at 1:32 pmThanks, Lindsay! It was super easy to make and use. Actually, I have used it multiple times already. And it just might be one of my fav crafts. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Courtney @ Crafts by Courtney says
August 25, 2014 at 3:25 pmWhat a cool idea!! I love making smores with the kids but hate a fire pit. What a perfect solution, AND it looks super cool in the process. I could see these set all around for a BBQ just for display!
theblueeyeddove says
August 25, 2014 at 3:44 pmThanks, Courtney! This worked out perfect, and is so much more practical for me than a fire pit 🙂 And it’s perfect to store because it doesn’t take up a lot room. Never thought I’d love a “fire pit” so much. Haha!
Katie Stahl says
August 25, 2014 at 10:59 pmGreat idea!! My husband was bound and determined to build a big firepit in our backyard, and guess what??? It’s been half finished for 2 months! I should just make one of these and call it good! So cute!
theblueeyeddove says
August 26, 2014 at 8:01 amThanks, Katie! Haha, maybe he can still get that fire pit finished yet this summer… but half finished is better than nothing, right!? 🙂 Mine took 5 minutes (minus waiting for the paint to dry). Glad you like it!
Melissa @ A Prudent Life says
August 25, 2014 at 11:28 pmLove it! We have a fire pit, but let’s be honest, it takes a commitment to build a fire and then baby sit it until it burns out. Some nights that doesn’t matter, but having a quick & easy alternative that still results in s’mores sounds perfect!
theblueeyeddove says
August 26, 2014 at 8:07 amThanks, Melissa! You are right no one wants to sit and wait for a fire to burn out! This fire pit allows you to blow it out and move on with your day, or evening. I have been guilty of getting it out just to make a quick s’more for myself. The things I do for my sugar cravings 🙂
Applestar says
September 22, 2014 at 12:26 amWhat a cool idea! I love fire pits , too. I saw a “fire basket” at Meijer , but I think I like this better. And it’s cost !!
My only question is if it is safe to use this chemical flame on foods??
theblueeyeddove says
September 22, 2014 at 6:02 amThanks, glad you like it! Yes, from what I have read (and experienced) it is safe to use the chafing fuel with food. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Diane says
September 28, 2014 at 8:54 amI am having a small get together to celebrate the fall. This will be great with several scattered sound. I will be serving Sangria from your website. You have so many wonderful ideas! Fantasic!
theblueeyeddove says
September 28, 2014 at 8:58 amThank you, Diane! You are too sweet 🙂 This firepit is wonderful for small get togethers. It was so nice to have this Summer because it’s easy to get out and doesn’t require much of a set-up at all. I’m sure your guests will enjoy it too!
Kathy says
September 30, 2014 at 7:49 amI have a few of these and they are great! If you toss a little table salt on the flames they will turn colors. Pretty cool…..
theblueeyeddove says
September 30, 2014 at 9:41 amWhat a cool idea, Kathy! Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to try that out next time 🙂
michelke says
November 23, 2014 at 8:14 pmDoes this kick out a decent amount of heat or is it just decorative?
theblueeyeddove says
November 23, 2014 at 8:36 pmIt gets very hot, very quickly! So it’s practical and pretty 🙂
Davona says
January 23, 2015 at 4:41 pmwhere do you buy river rocks? and is the flower pot plastic or ceramic and where did you get it?
theblueeyeddove says
January 24, 2015 at 10:27 amYou can find river rock at any craft or dollar store. I bought the flower pot on clearance at Hobby Lobby and it is ceramic. It works perfect for this fire pit. Hope this helps Davona 🙂
Davona says
January 24, 2015 at 2:06 pmThanks for your answers! I want to try this out when the weather warms up a bit!
theblueeyeddove says
January 24, 2015 at 2:07 pmGood luck, Davona! Hopefully it’s a short winter 🙂
athena says
March 15, 2015 at 4:29 pmI love this idea! I love in an apartment and can’t build fire pits or anything but this is an awesome idea. Maybe I could get away with making one like yours. How do you extinguish it when you’re done?
athena says
March 15, 2015 at 4:29 pm*live. Lol
[email protected] says
March 16, 2015 at 12:23 amThanks, Athena! I live in a condo so this fire pit works well for me too. When I’m done using it I just blow out the flame. The chafing fuel container gets really hot, but the rocks help it cool down after you are done with it. 🙂
Ken says
March 23, 2015 at 6:43 pmWell Looks like I have something to do this spring. Clever.
[email protected] says
March 23, 2015 at 7:00 pmGlad you like it, Ken! It is very easy to make and comes in handy for sure 🙂
barbara says
May 2, 2015 at 10:50 pmCan you use plastic flower pot . I was wondering if rocks get hot melt the plastic. I love this idea.
[email protected] says
May 2, 2015 at 11:21 pmThanks, Barbara! The rocks seem to absorb the heat, so it could potentially melt the pot. I’d probably stick with clay if you can 🙂
Cam says
May 11, 2015 at 3:28 amYour instructions say, “…Make sure the chafing fuel container sets up a little higher than the flower pot.” Why does the chafing fuel container have to be higher then the flower pot? I’d rather the can itself be hidden more within the rocks.
[email protected] says
May 13, 2015 at 1:18 amHi Cam, I chose to have my container set up higher, but it doesn’t really matter where it sits as long as you can reach it for roasting marshmallows. I roast the marshmallows in the heat that the container produces (usually holding the marshmallow about 6 inches above the container). According to the company it is fine. I’ve used it several times and have never noticed any weird tastes. There really isn’t a flame with this type of container, but it sure gets hot! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Sue Good says
May 27, 2015 at 11:31 amHi. I note you have used a ceramic pot, do you think a terracotta pot that has been varnished would be ok to use? Thanks x
[email protected] says
May 27, 2015 at 6:49 pmYes, terra cotta pots will work fine too, Sue! Enjoy 🙂
natasha says
June 24, 2016 at 4:12 pmThis is such an awesome idea! I’m shopping to buy one..but, they so are expensive! Now with your tutorial I feel confident to make one!
If you have an iPhone, can you please also share this on the Univhers app? http://www.appstore.com/univhers or I can feature your blog – let me know.
[email protected] says
July 5, 2016 at 6:30 pmThanks, Natasha!
maryann demuynck says
September 5, 2016 at 5:20 amOne suggestion is to find a tuna or chicken can just slightly larger then the chafing fuel can. This allows you to replace the fuel can without disturbing the river rocks.
[email protected] says
September 6, 2016 at 6:07 pmGreat tip! Thanks, Maryann! 🙂