Backyard Fireplace

It's surprisingly easy to build-and portable too

- TOM DVORAK

This project was inspired by an outdoor gas fireplace I saw online. The look was exactly what I wanted, but the construction wasn’t— I didn’t want a 500-lb. concrete cube that couldn't be moved. And I didn’t want an underground gas line to fuel the fire. So instead I engineered this version. It looks just like the one online, but it can be easily moved by two people and it doesn't need a remote gas supply. Best of all, it can be completed in a weekend and is suitable for even a beginning builder.

This project involves mostly cutting parts and driving screws, but it does include some materials and methods that might be unfamiliar to you:

Steel studs: These are the best choice for the inner structure of the box. Unlike wood, they're unaffected by heat and humidity. If you haven’t worked with steel studs before, don't worry—you'll probably find them easier than conventional lumber. Note: Steel studs in contact with soil will eventually rust away, so the box base is pressure-treated wood.