I want to build a firepit in my backyard. Problem is (or maybe it's not a problem) there is a stump in the way, so...couple of questions:
1. Can you build a firepit on top of a stump and simply burn out the stump over time, or are there any risks or serious dangers (other than basic fire safety protocol) of doing this?
2. I'm thinking of doing with a circle or oval perimeter made out of stone or brick. Yea, nay or any better ideas?
3. Here are some pictures of the site in question. Let me know any pitfalls or areas of concern anyone might be able to see.
And yes, I do plan on buying a fire extinguisher to keep specifically outside, and I'm going to see if I'm required to have any kind of a burn permit by the city.
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The instructions above require that you actually dig a shallow hole, so the slump should not be there.
In any case, this is a copy and paste from Wikipedia:
Stump removal
Tree stumps can be difficult to remove from the ground. They can be dug out, shredded with a stump grinder or burnt.
A common method for stump removal is to use one of the many chemical stump removal products, so long as immediate results are not needed. These stump removers are mostly made of potassium nitrate (KNO3) and act by rapidly increasing the decay of the stump. After an average of 4–6 weeks, the stump will be rotten through and easily fragmented in manageable pieces. If time is a limiting factor, setting fire to the stump is effective because once the potassium nitrate has been absorbed it acts as an effective oxidizer.
(And yes, this even applies to removing the stump, quite apart from the firepit itself.)
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Me, I built a firepit a few months ago. I have a much bigger yard, and my town is pretty rural (for Connecticut,) but I just scraped about 2 inches down into the soil (I own a tractor...) filled the depression with gravel, and put an old rim from a tri-axle dump truck in there. Works like a charm, and it's just hick enough for my town.
Yep, though it takes some time for the KNO3 to diffuse through the wood. http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2011-07/gray-matter-fire-hole
Of course this is also the most back breaking method and can be a huge pain in the ass, but its what I would do.
Also check on the applicable laws, some areas straight up ban fire pits, some areas have regulations about distances from fences or other property, etc etc.
you definitely want a ring around the pit too, otherwise it's very easy for embers to get spread around and light your grass up if it's dry.
pretty much a good way to do it is to dig out your pit, ring the outside with rocks maybe six inches high, and then to basically nullify the chances of the fire spreading out of control (barring truly freak accidents or stupidity involving gasoline) put down sand or bare dirt in a foot and a half- or two-foot radius around the outside of the ring. then put your logs or lawnchairs for seating on the sand.
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