Base

• When making a homemade fire pit, it's important to consider the base material for the pit. Creating a foundation will ensure the flooring of your deck isn't damaged, and items like an aluminum sheet or ceramic tiles make a good fire pit base when lain in a square in the spot where you want your fire pit to be.
  
  

Bricks

• Brick is a good material to utilize when building your own fire pit, as they are resistant to the flames and won't get damaged. They can also be hosed down easily to remove and soot or ash the fire creates. Laying a series of bricks in a circle, and possibly laying second or third layers on top of that, makes a nice and simple fire pit construction.
  
  

Lighting

• You can fill your fire pit with either wood or coals, depending on what you have on hand or what material you prefer working with. Either way, make sure to use dry wood or coals for the easiest fire making. Some lighter fuel can be dripped onto the pit as well to make getting the flames started easier.
  
  

Mesh Lid

• A mesh lid is a dome-shaped object made of a mesh material. These lids can be placed over the coals or wood of a lit fire, and protects guests and the house from any flying embers the wind may pick up. Take care not to handle the lid too soon after it has been on the fire since it will be very hot.
  
  

Grill Grate

• A grill grate is typically a rounded grate that is used over fires to turn the flames into a grill. Grill grates can be found at most outdoor or camping supply stores and can be lain over the bricks of the fire pit to make burgers, hot dogs or s'mores.