Easy DIY Indoor Fire Pit and Fire Bowl with Video

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How do you make an indoor fire pit or fire bowl? I’m going to share how to make a few and they can be used inside or outside.  It can safely put off heat, add ambiance, is great for survival emergencies like power outages, and is inexpensive to make.

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Indoor Fire Pit

Run to the dollar store grab a few items and we’re gonna make an awesome project that lights on fire, let’s get started.

For this project you're going to need some Dollar Store rocks, a Sterno can, a basket of your choice, and then a glass container of your choice as well.

Indoor Fire Pit: Smore Kit

Materials Needed:

For this project you’re going to need some Dollar Store rocks, a Sterno can, a basket of your choice, and then a glass container of your choice as well.

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Indoor Fire Pit Video

To start this project you're going to place a large sum of the rocks at the bottom of the wired basket.

To start this project you’re going to place a large sum of the rocks at the bottom of the wired basket.

Once you get enough of those in you're going to place the glass container on the top and at the center of those rocks.  I'm going to continue taking the rocks and placing them around the glass container until I reach the top of the glass container.

Once you get enough of those in you’re going to place the glass container on the top and at the center of those rocks. I’m going to continue taking the rocks and placing them around the glass container until I reach the top of the glass container.

Now you can use any rocks you want from the dollar store. You could also choose a different outside basket and use sand if you choose. The center glass jar is a glass jar that has a lid with it and I got that at the dollar store as well. Once that is complete I’m going to place a Sterno can in the center and then I’m going to remove the lid.

I'll take a clicky lighter and light the Sterno can so that a flame is present. It puts off a flame but you can't easily see it unless it's dark. This is a great emergency heat source it, can be used inside or out.

I’ll take a clicky lighter and light the Sterno can so that a flame is present. It puts off a flame but you can’t easily see it unless it’s dark.

This is a great emergency heat source it, can be used inside or out.

This is a great emergency heat source it, can be used inside or out.

Now for some added fun I’m grabbing some graham crackers and splitting them in half. I’m also going to add a piece of chocolate to one of them and then I’m going to set this aside.

I’m going to add a wooden skewer to a marshmallow. You could use the metal skewers from the dollar store both come from the dollar store and I’m going to go ahead and toast my marshmallow.

I'm going to move that aside and now's time to put my s'more together simply putting the graham cracker on and pulling off the marshmallow.

You can look for Sterno cans that are made for s’mores and for food. Once my marshmallow is toasted all you have to do is place the lid right back on top of the Sterno can and it puts the flame out.

I’m going to move that aside and now’s time to put my s’more together simply putting the graham cracker on and pulling off the marshmallow.

Here's a step-by-step tutorial for creating a DIY fire pit using a hanging flower basket from Dollar Tree!

Outdoor Fire Pit – Best for bug-repellant outdoors

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for creating a DIY fire pit using a hanging flower basket from Dollar Tree!

Materials:

The first step is to remove all the string from the hanging flower planter. You could leave the planner as it is, but for this project, we will be using Rust-Oleum cement spray paint to give it a unique look. Paint the entire flower pot and let it dry completely before moving on.

The first step is to remove all the string from the hanging flower planter. You could leave the planner as it is, but for this project, we will be using Rust-Oleum cement spray paint to give it a unique look. Paint the entire flower pot and let it dry completely before moving on.

The next step is to grab a Tiki torch lamp and fill it with bug-repellent Tiki torch fluid.

The next step is to grab a Tiki torch lamp and fill it with bug-repellent Tiki torch fluid.

Once the planter is dry, place the Tiki torch in the center of the flower planter.  Then, grab some gravel from your kid's playground and place it all around the entire Tiki torch until you fill it all the way up to the top.  You could stop here if you wanted, but we will be adding a little more to it.

Once the planter is dry, place the Tiki torch in the center of the flower planter. Then, grab some gravel from your kid’s playground and place it all around the entire Tiki torch until you fill it all the way up to the top. You could stop here if you wanted, but we will be adding a little more to it.

For example, you could add bigger rocks to the top and keep placing them around until you get the desired look that you are going for. You could alternatively use glass rock, crushed glass, anything that you like, or decorative Dollar Store rocks; it's really your choice on how you want this little DIY fireplace to be.

For example, you could add bigger rocks to the top and keep placing them around until you get the desired look that you are going for. You could alternatively use glass rock, crushed glass, anything that you like, or decorative Dollar Store rocks; it’s really your choice on how you want this little DIY fireplace to be.

That’s all there is to it, and then you can place it on your table outside. To use it, simply remove the cap, grab a clicky lighter, and light your Tiki torch. Choose a clean-burning fuel that will also repel bugs while you’re hanging out outside together. If you’re looking for alternative clean-burning fuel solutions, you can also use rubbing alcohol.

A bowl of your choice Decorative rock, sand, etc. (I used crushed mirror glass from IKEA) A Sterno can (Dollar Tree) A lighter

DIY Fire Bowl:  More for Decoration & Ambiance Best Suited For Indoors

You’ll need the following

  • A bowl of your choice
  • Decorative rock, sand, etc. (I used crushed mirror glass from IKEA)
  • A Sterno can (Dollar Tree)
  • A lighter
Place the Sterno can in the bowl

Place the Sterno can in the bowl

Put your decorative rock around the Sterno can. I left the lid on to make sure I didn't get any near the wick.

Put your decorative rock around the Sterno can. I left the lid on to make sure I didn’t get any near the wick.

Remove the lid and set it aside, you'll need it to put out the flame. Light the flame.

Remove the lid and set it aside, you’ll need it to put out the flame.  Light the flame.

This simple fire bowl only cost a few dollars to make!  This is great to have around in case of emergencies. If your power goes out you can use it to cook with.  (They make cooking sternos) Here is a video of both fire bowls and some extras – continue on for Firebowl #2…

This simple fire bowl only costs a few dollars to make!  This is great to have around in case of emergencies. If your power goes out you can use it to cook.  (They make cooking sternos) Here is a video of both fire bowls and some extras – continue on for Firebowl #2…

Indoor/Outdoor Fire Bowl – great for emergency warmth!

A cookie tin (or other container of your choice) A empty can washed out Rocks or sand Wall Sticker, ribbon, or paint Hand Sanitizer Lighter

You will need the following:

  • A cookie tin (or another container of your choice)
  • An empty can
  • Rocks or sand
  • Wall Sticker, ribbon, or paint
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Lighter
Use the wall sticker (mine came from Dollar Tree) to decorate the outside of the cookie tin. You could also glue on ribbon, or simply paint it.

Use the wall sticker (mine came from Dollar Tree) to decorate the outside of the cookie tin. You could also glue on ribbon, or simply paint it.

Place an empty washed out can in the center of the cookie tin.

Place an empty washed out can in the center of the cookie tin.

Add rocks around the tin can. You could use sand, or another decorative item of your choice.

Add rocks around the tin can. You could use sand, or another decorative item of your choice.

Put the hand sanitizer in the tin can.

Put the hand sanitizer in the tin can.

To protect your surface - I would suggest placing on a trivet, pot holder, etc.

To protect your surface – I would suggest placing on a trivet, pot holder, etc.

Light the hand sanitizer. The alcohol content in the hand sanitizer is what will burn and alcohol is a clean burning fuel.

Light the hand sanitizer. The alcohol content in the hand sanitizer is what will burn and alcohol is a clean burning fuel.

If using inside, be sure to crack a window for oxygen flow. Never leave a lit flame unattended.

If using inside, be sure to crack a window for oxygen flow. Never leave a lit flame unattended.

To put the fire out - simply save the can lid to snuff it, or you can lay a damp washcloth or towel over it.

This is great to have around in case of emergencies.

To put the fire out – simply save the can lid to snuff it, or you can lay a damp washcloth or towel over it.

DIY fire bowl Video

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Always make sure to have proper ventilation when having a warm fire in an enclosed area.

Other fuel types include:

  • gel fuel
  • isopropyl alcohol
  • ethanol

Are you ready to sit around your new warm fireplace and have a social gathering point? These can be used outside on a patio, or other outdoor space. The great thing about these is there is no smoke, soot, ash, chimney, flue, or mess to clean up. You don’t need a window, but again good airflow is important when burning inside. These are portable too, so grab it and take it with you to set the mood when you lounge at a friend’s house for the festivities. It makes a fantastic centerpiece on that dining room table too.

You might be interested in seeing my stainless steel tabletop fire pit – Fondue Pot to Table Top Solar Fountain & Fire Pit

I hope this inspires you to make a cosy DIY fire bowl of your own I’d love it if you’d subscribe to my YouTube channel and my blog. Thanks for watching and I’ll see you in my next video and don’t forget to like share and subscribe.

Find out “What Exactly Does It Mean To Repurpose Or Upcycle“, save money, and create the most amazing things.

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26 Comments

  1. Hand sanitizer?! Wow! Who knew? I’ve never seen fire bowls. These are great ideas. Happy New Year Chas! xo Deborah

    1. Hi Deborah! Thank you and it’s not only great for ambiance but good for emergency heating too. Happy New Year to you and I’m glad you’re feeling better. Hugs my friend 🙂

  2. How clever! I would never have thought of hand sanitizer! Thanks so much for sharing! – Bloggers Pitstop

      1. Barbara McGurn ; Hi Chas I just ordered my items from Amazon. I’ll go to a store called savers for the glass bowls. I can’t wait to make 4 of these
        Thank you hon
        Happy Easter to you and your family🙏🏽

        1. Yay! I’m so excited you’re going to make some of these. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

  3. Oh love this idea! I always have leftover tins after Christmas. What a fantastic idea. pinned! Saw your post at the bloggers pit stop. Pinned:)

    1. Thank you Kathleen and thank you for the Pin 🙂

  4. Thank you for the clever idea! I love that this is great for emergencies! I have pinned this, so I have it saved!

    1. Thank you Natalie and thank you so much for the Pin 🙂

    1. Thank you Kathleen and thank you very much for the share 🙂

  5. To snuff out the flame, use the cookie tin lid, or make a fitted lid from aluminum foil, slide down over top of can, and done.

  6. I would never have thought about using hand sanitizer, but what a great thing to know! Thank you so much for sharing this on Party in Your PJ’s. I’m anxious for summer to try the outdoor one!

    1. Thank you Teresa, and I am so ready for summer to use mine too 🙂

  7. Clever, this is worth knowing for an emergency situation. Thanks.

    1. Thank you Julie and I love that it’s good for emergencies too. We once lost heat in our house in the middle of winter and I loaded us up with blankets but really wished I would have had this ready back then.

  8. What a great idea. I loved how simple it was to make from watching your video. The hand sanitizer was also a great idea. Thank you for sharing.

    1. Thanks you Amy, I’m so glad you think so. As winter comes, I know not everyone has a fireplace and might want something, and they’re really great in case of an emergency.

    1. Thank you Kim, yes the alcohol is the fuel and it’s great for emergencies too 🙂

  9. ********************************************************
    Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
    ********************************************************

    1. Thank you Marilyn, and I have you had a great weekend.

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