Are Pavers Safe for a Fire Pit? [ANSWERED]

Fire pits have become a hot real estate trend in recent years. They are an excellent way to add ambiance and warmth to any backyard or patio area, but they also require the right kind of materials for construction. If you want to add your own fire pit to your backyard, it might be tempting to pick out any old pavers to stack in a circle to form the fire pit. But are pavers safe for a fire pit?

Are Pavers Safe for a Fire Pit?

Pavers are generally not safe to build a fire pit out of unless they are kiln-fired brick pavers. Most types of concrete pavers are dangerous for this purpose. Concrete pavers are often very porous and contain small air bubbles. If this type of paver is used to build a fire pit, the air bubbles may expand when heated by the fire. This can cause the entire structure to explode.

Do Pavers Explode in Fire?

Pavers are not designed to withstand high heat, so they will explode if exposed to the extreme temperatures of a fire pit. Pavers are safe for use around small campfires or bonfires but should never be used in the construction of a fire pit.

Is It Safe to Have Pavers Under a Fire Pit?

Generally, it’s not a good idea to have pavers directly under a fire pit for the same reasons you shouldn’t build the rest of the fire pit out of pavers. The pavers will crack from the heat, and could potentially explode if they get hot enough. With fire directly on top of them, that would certainly happen.

If you don’t want to get rid of your existing pavers, your best bet is to get a premade fire pit and put a fire pit pad underneath it. That will keep your pavers (and you!) safe from the hazards of the pavers potentially exploding.

What Type of Pavers Can I Build a Fire Pit Out Of?

If you want to build a fire pit out of pavers, your best bet is to go with kiln-fired brick pavers. This type of paver is specially designed to withstand extreme heat, making them a safe option for fire pits. They are also heavy enough that they won’t crack or explode from the high temperatures of a fire pit.

If you plan to build a fire pit around an existing structure, such as pavers or decking, you will need to make sure those structures are designed to withstand a fire pit.

Are there Kiln-Fired Paver Alternatives?

Fire bricks actually work much better than kiln-fired pavers. Fire bricks are designed to withstand high temperatures in furnaces and brick ovens, so they are safe to use. While kiln-fired pavers can stand up to a lot of heat, fire brick is a better option for your backyard fire pit.

Pavers are generally not safe to build a fire pit out of unless they are kiln-fired bricks. Most types of concrete pavers are dangerous for this purpose. Your best bet is to build your entire fire pit out of fire bricks to create the safest structure possible!