Fire bowls are available in many different versions - both more expensive and cheaper versions. However, many do-it-yourselfers prefer to do without the finished new product and use old stainless steel leftovers to manufacture an individual fire bowl. This is not easy, at least if the bowl is to have feet - in this case you need a welder and the appropriate craftsmanship.
An old wok can easily be used as a fire bowl
You need these materials
You can recycle various metal objects or materials for a fire bowl. However, the metal must be fireproof, at best you should use stainless steel. This very heat-resistant material also has the advantage that it is more weather-resistant and therefore more durable than other metals. In principle, any bowl-like vessel made of stainless steel is suitable for a fire bowl, for example
- an old wok
- the bottom of a water tank
- the bottom of a cauldron
- the tail of a ton
- or a so-called dished end
You can get a dished bottom made of stainless steel in different sizes in the trade, but it is often not much cheaper than a ready-made fire bowl. You can also continue to use the drum of a disused washing machine and convert it into an original fire basket, for example.
If you want the fire bowl to have feet, you will also need three stainless steel tubes of the desired length.
Fire bowl without welding
If you want to save yourself the welding, you can simply use the fire bowl without feet. To do this, prepare the ground for the planned fire in a fireproof manner: Mark out the area, lift off the turf and dig a hole about ten centimeters deep. Fill this up with gravel, which you tamp down well. Now lay out a few larger, refractory stones in such a way that the fire bowl rests on them instead of on feet. The bowl must sit securely and must not wobble.
Fire bowl with feet
However, if you are looking for building instructions for a fire bowl with feet, the best thing to do is as follows:
- Obtain three stainless steel tubes.
- Cut them to the desired length with an angle grinder.
- A length of about half a meter is very suitable for a fire bowl.
- The tubes must be exactly the same length so that the bowl will stand securely later.
- After cutting, deburr the sharp cuts with a file.
- Weld the tubes to the bottom of the fire bowl.
- The distance from the edge of the shell to each tube should be the same.
- The pipes should also be evenly spaced from each other.
- Work as correctly as possible here to increase the stability of the fire bowl.
Welding safety
Always wear protective goggles, long clothing and sturdy shoes when welding! Otherwise, sparks can cause serious injury, such as getting them in your eyes.
tips
You should not set up the finished fire bowl near easily flammable objects or materials and always place it on a fireproof surface.