Top 4 Reasons rocks are better than buying a Fire Pit Kit
Ready for S'mores? I am too! That is when I'm not on some health kick that prevents me from eating sweets and such... Anyways, S'mores aside, there is something special about a dedicated fire pit area that brings people together. I suspect it is the smell. The smell of opportunity to tell stories and gather with new faces as well as old familiar ones closest to your heart. So what do you do when you know your backyard is calling for a new way to interact, but you are overwhelmed with the options. Keep reading as I state my case for why you should never buy a concrete fire pit kit off the shelf.
Got Free Rocks?
Depending on where in the world you are reading this, your argument may carry a different tune. From where we sit here in Northern New Jersey rocks are plentiful. In fact it is highly likely that you will need to remove sizable rocks to install your fire pit. Even if you live in flatland flood planes you are not far from the hills where I'm sure you can find someone more than happy to give you some of their rocks. In most cases building a fire pit from existing boulders is the sustainable option. Of course, if you need a special rock like in the video below they can be purchased too. Either way your fire pit budget will have more room for the enhancements like a patio or seating when you choose boulders for your fire pit.
Timeless Durability
Do you remember those 8x16 pavers from the 70s? I think the house I grew up in had green, pink, grey and yellow ones. How about those trend setting 6x9 cobbles that were taking over the world in red flash in the 90s? One thing the corporate paver market is good at is convincing the general public that the new thing is here to stay and timeless at that. I chuckle inside. The reality is anything man made is going to be timestamped but the style of the decade and the technology that exists at the time to manufacture. Rocks however sing a different tune. Like it or not rocks are part of our world and they are here to stay. Building a fire pit from rocks and boulders will always be the timeless option, and should you ever need to change or replace said rocks you will never have trouble finding a replacement. In most cases it just takes a short walk out back.
Blaze Your Own Path
I've been working with rocks my entire adult life. I have never seen two rocks that are the same. Some rocks are super interesting and some rocks are just plain. You beat your own drum. You zig when everyone else zags. Strolling the lanes at the local supply house you see dozens of fire pits on display. They all look the same. None of them scream take me home. If you are are looking for more of a personal touch, rocks will fit the bill. Whether you are into rocks that are super interesting with fossils and whatnot poking out the surface, or your style is a little more basic. You are highly likely to find a handful of rocks near you that are calling your name. In a way the journey is part of the fun.
A Trip Back in Time
Personally, I love the creative process of finding rocks that speak to me, and then figuring out how to make them work together. It is an art if you choose to make it that. The one thing I find when speaking with people about the idea of adding a fire feature, is that they are either drawing inspiration from a childhood memory or looking to create a memory that they themselves never had. It never was about the fire pit itself. It was about the smell of the wood, the sound of the crickets, the journey to find the perfect marshmallow stick. A stimulation of the brain that brings us joy, and more importantly the desire to share that with others.