Dropped $1,200 on a pro-grade fire pit kit for the backyard, and my wife still won't let me forget it

Alice Wilson · 2026-09-17T22:25:05.761611+00:00

So two summers back I finally caved and bought one of those big stainless steel fire pit kits with the built-in grate and spark screen. Cost me about $1,200 after tax and shipping to my place outside Boise. I figured it would be the centerpiece of every backyard hangout, s'mores on Fridays, beers around the flames, the whole deal. First month it was great, then the igniter quit, the lava rocks cracked, and the stainless started spotting after one rainy season even though I covered it. My neighbor built his own out of a $60 tractor rim and some fire brick and it still works fine. On one hand, the kit lights in 2 minutes and looks clean, no smoke blowing in your face. On the other hand, I could have poured a small pad and done a block pit for a third of the price and had something that outlasts me. So which way do you all lean, buy the prefab kit for the convenience or build your own and deal with the hassle?

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Dropped $1,200 on a pro-grade fire pit kit for the backyard, and my wife still won't let me forget it | Backyard Builds - Rigidtalk