I built a Smokeless Fire Pit, from start to finish!

This was on my wish list for a really long time. I debated the look, and watched hours of youtube videos to figure out the best features. It had to be smokeless, so I wouldn't have to keep moving to avoid choking. I built it when I had some free time, especially once I knew exactly what needed to be done. A lot of thought went into this project, and the CNC came in handy for an important part. If you have any questions, let me know.
#diy #smokeless #firepit
This is the metal ring insert I used: www.amazon.com/dp/B08DRSVF1X?p...
The screened top: www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2NSSBVZ?r...

[@johngill5175]

Umm, I hate to be that guy, but the reason you see smoke at the end is you need a air intake a void and then the holes at the top, as one system. Your intakes go to the fire center, could some go up to the metal, sure, but it will already be mixed with warm air. This will cause the flow to not exist. You need two things to happen, the air to enter cold so that it expands and warms and get dwarn/pushed into the fire, also you want a ventrilly effect. This is where the hot air leaving the fire pit create s a vacuum in the holes in the ring to encourage the cold, now warming, air to be pulled up and into the firepit. If your void is connected to the firepit, as your is, you will not get a ventrilly effect. This is why you still have smoke at the end. However great video, and zoom zoom watch had me rolling!!! Keep being creative and amazing work. Just need a little polish! Great Job!!!!

[@melevsreef]

I want to see if I can get more steel to create that vacuum you recommended. I just need to get it in two halves to be able to fit it in there easily.

[@stasss2h]

how about raising your floor with some gravel?@@melevsreef

[@kevinoneill41]

Using a drier mix on your mortar might help in pressing it in to the cracks and gaps with out it seeping out. A stone wall guy suggested that to me it seemed to work well

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Awesome, Marc! You should keep showing more of your house, backyard, studio, etc. Really adds to your channel. Love everything you do!

[@CW7081]

Very nice tutorial video Mark. The detail information was key. Appreciate you!

[@lesliemagalis5215]

Great Job! I will definitely use your video when I make my first fire pit; nice touch with the solar lights too!

[@fletchlivesdaily348]

You did a great job with this project....

[@Ellery-USA]

That's awesome. I may consider making one myself.

[@carlbeels3594]

Bro I ran across your firepit video, cuz I’m in the process of building one for my backyard! Very nice! What a fun surprise for me it was to see your smiling face when I clicked the link. :)

[@melevsreef]

Very cool surprise. 😲

[@Rob_8529]

Great Job! I’m sure the Dryer the wood, the less smoke it makes. S’mores by the fire 🔥

[@pln573]

Great job dad!

[@melevsreef]

Thanks!

[@TBassJaps]

Nice DIY job, nice video.

[@kevinriley771]

Well done Mark! My kind of project

[@melevsreef]

Thanks Kevin.

[@SULLYtheSojourner]

Very nice pit!

[@Reefahholic]

Strong work! Looks great!

[@melevsreef]

Thank you!

[@davidshettlesworth1442]

Thanks for an excellent video. I learned a great deal. Carry on Sir.

[@iBcv_Dubs]

👍🏼 Thanks for the minor details!

[@melevsreef]

You bet!

[@christkallimanis4621]

Nice work Mark. Very informative. Having the CNC saved you some money. Keep the molds maybe start a business selling those top crown pieces.

[@melevsreef]

I could ship those, that’s true. Flat, not made.

[@DsqaureD0495]

Great video man.

[@Tweeterandthemonkeyman]

Great video mate, I want one.

[@fletcherwright7042]

Very nice 👌

[@strykerliker]

The guy you are referencing is HAXMAN.

[@ashleyciccarello9027]

Love what you’ve done with the place! Really enjoyed watching your process. You’re such a brilliant renaissance man!

[@AlbertoO.Hardin]

That's fantastic! A smokeless fire pit can enhance your outdoor experience by minimizing smoke and providing a more enjoyable atmosphere for gatherings and relaxation. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your smokeless fire pit

[@briandeines5019]

I have commented before... KZbin says 7 months ago. I am finally putting one together and wonder if you would change anything? Specifically the holes on the ring... spacing, size, and anything else you can think of.

[@melevsreef]

No, I’m very happy with exactly how it came out.

[@GioBen68]

Great job! Seeing the swiss flag 🇨🇭!👌🏼 greetings from Switzerland, region lake Geneva

[@melevsreef]

Geneva is beautiful!

[@kronic0961]

This is great! I'm about to build this and have a few questions if that's ok. Approximately, what's the gap you have between the metal ring and the inner wall of the fire pit? Do you think sealing the gap between the bottom of the ring and the ground (except for airflow gaps) will force more air into the side wall and increase the hot air coming from the top holes? Thanks!

[@Britineeng]

Please tell me about that router cutter machine you have. Thank you

[@S79KW]

Good Job I give you 10/10

[@melevsreef]

Thanks!

[@terrydavis7389]

great video, looks like it turned out perfect, and saved a ton of money over buying one. you know, now we need the follow up video of how to make the perfect smore using your backyard firepit.

[@Toxic-Male]

All of these videos on smokeless fire pits and would like to know has anyone used metal grates at the bottom and do they help….

[@melevsreef]

I didn’t see a reason to do so.

[@Fish_Ventura]

I like it! Did I just smell finger hair? Ha ha nice job Marc, your yard is huge compared to mine.

[@markbellaire8977]

Hate to tell you but once you get to what they refer to as steady state you're going to have relatively little smoke to begin with. That's why most people will tell you about 15 minutes into a good fire that the smoke will abate. A true smokeless fire pit will draw that air in at the top through those holes that you created and feed it back to the fire from the bottom. The gaps that you left in the block are allowing air in from the bottom rather than it pulling air in through the holes that you drilled in your ring. Because the air is drafting in through your blocks at the bottom it's causing a chimney effect up through your wood and will carry uncombusted gases up over the fire, otherwise known as smoke. What you actually want is the air at the surface of the fire to be drawn to the sides and down through those holes which will also pull the uncombusted gases back down and feed them up through the fire again so that they are exposed to combustion temperatures and burn off before they exhaust.

[@DWitt-rj9el]

Great Job! Now as long as Sarah doesn't see it we are good. If she does, and I have to build one you are in trouble! LOL

[@melevsreef]

[@jameskelly9800]

Nice work! Any firepit, smokeless or not, requires well seasoned wood. Avoid wood that is rotted, punky or has fungus. Hardwood is better than softwood, but any will be at it's best when split and dried for a year at least.

[@ryansheard8092]

Dude, love the CNC cut forms. I'd pay you to cut and ship the cut pieces to me!

[@melevsreef]

I can do that.

[@ryansheard8092]

@@melevsreef awesome. I'm going to build one over the next month. Once I have the exact dimensions, I'll hit you up. I appreciate that!

[@tdfam]

@@melevsreef I'd be interested in ordering the forms also. Do you have a part number for the insert from Amazon?

[@melevsreef]

@@tdfam Here's the insert: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DRSVF1X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@aphillyq]

Now to use your skills to make a fish pond in your yard!

[@melevsreef]

I do want a water feature still.

[@michaelbaldwin3356]

MelevsDIY/prepper channel. Not only saving your but you and your relationship.

[@melevsreef]

lol

[@GwonkReefkeeping]

I loved this video. What type of fire accelerant did you use? I ask because that fire started fast and strong.

[@melevsreef]

Acetone, aka fuel.

[@shadowrockcairns8390]

Should put plastic down concrete color will stain existing slab?

[@Viper-63]

Great Video.!!! What about using fibrous Concrete versus the chicken wire? Not sure how that is with heat

[@midzo3152]

Any issues with the cap stone cracking? I want to do one myself but not sure what mortar to use and online is all over the place.

[@melevsreef]

No issues at all. It’s been used many times since the making of this video. I used mortar to fill any gaps beneath the concrete circle. I can’t see it so I can’t comment on what it looks like but the fire pit still looks like the day I built it. And now I can even see it from space, thanks to the recent update by Google maps. 😉

[@petermcquinney3360]

Great video, you have inspired me. I will use a cement mixer though when I attempt it Also love the metal rocking chairs, I might pinch that idea as well. Did you buy them or weld them up yourself?

[@melevsreef]

The chairs were a local purchase, found on Facebook marketplace.

[@adambahe9309]

I’m hoping that one day SLS printing will come down in price a ton. Because then we will be able to print metal pieces. Like the metal pieces you need for the top of a DIY fireplace. FDM and resin printers have come down from thousands to less than a couple hundred bucks. There are even vendors now who are releasing 3d print files of their accessories so you can make your own when they break. I see a future where ChatGPT creates 3d print files for a lot of what we need.

[@minerthreat8921]

The "Tamping and sliding" is called Screeding. *Cue Rainbow* 🌈 The more you know.

[@ErickHernandez-kk5ty]

It all depends what kind of firewood and the condition..

[@billssaltwaterheaven]

Lucky u can be outside in a t-shirt in January! Lol

[@melevsreef]

LOL - sweating in January seems wrong. ;)

[@NarutoEditzAndArt]

When are you going to set up the 60 cube from planet aquarium?

[@melevsreef]

Hopefully before the month is over.

[@flipflopsneeded]

Good work hope your grass isn’t so draw that it might catch on fire.

[@melevsreef]

No problems at all. The fire is centered on the block, nothing has emanated out the small openings.

[@user-neo71665]

While it is curing cover it with plastic so it cures more slow. The more slow it cures the "harder" it will be. Hissing and grey/blck smoke is wet wood.

[@melevsreef]

Good point about the plastic, I forgot about that. The firepit is holding up well, it still looks like the day I built it.

[@fredquevillon3727]

Good jod, really nice build. You could have trim that chicken wire more to be easier. Almost 2 inches from the edges wouldn’t change strength.

[@melevsreef]

That would have been better for sure.

[@charlespowers6715]

I could never put my feet that close to a 🔥😅😮

[@reefp5816]

👏👏👏

[@alexiagibson3123]

What type of foam is this and do you have a link I want to make a concrete top

[@melevsreef]

The sheet foam is sold at Home Depot. It comes in 1/2”, 3/4” and 1” thick in 4’x8’ sheets.

[@peterborngraber8025]

Soju? 👍

[@michaelhorton6166]

Perhaps you should have thrown a stake on it. A wooden stake!🤣

[@melevsreef]

😂

[@chrisberryhill9838]

Do you sell these fire pits?

[@melevsreef]

No, I just documented my build.

[@robertlane8209]

I’m sure everyone has one of these machines.

[@melevsreef]

It helped. 😇

[@lisabeam8315]

Watch Haxman,he shows the whole process😊

[@melevsreef]

I watched his video several times. His work inspired mine. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@lisabeam8315]

You are a very humble man.❤️🙏

[@htc148]

This Old House ❌❌❌ This Reeder's Houss ✅✅✅

[@melevsreef]

Thanks, I think I'll take that as a huge compliment.

[@Terry-pm7fw]

What if you don't have that machine? Then what do you do?

[@melevsreef]

You could trace the shape on the foam and slowly cut the shape with a utility knife.

[@Terry-pm7fw]

@@melevsreef true

[@jamesrichmond5919]

Come build one for me😅

[@theamjadjamousable]

Where is the marshmallow bag ? 😁

[@melevsreef]

I finally got a bag yesterday. I only had minimallows. Lol

[@ProTexTV]

Nice, want to rent me your forms?

[@melevsreef]

I tossed them out, sorry.

[@Petebale1]

The steel ring should go to the ground and not let the intake air feed into the bottom.

[@melevsreef]

I’m going to try extending it to see if it adds more benefit.

[@briandeines5019]

show off. $10k machine to do what a 2 dollar knife can do. very cool. I want one for my plasm cutter but can't justify the cost.

[@melevsreef]

I use that machine for acrylic fabrication. Came in handy though, right?

[@rbodforss]

You forgot the cost for the CNC-machine… 😂

[@melevsreef]

😆

[@minerthreat8921]

You're gonna set the entire lawn on fire with that dead grass bro. Clear a 15 foot area and mix some more cement....

[@melevsreef]

It’s green now, that was while the lawn was in hibernation. Definitely something to be very aware of though.

[@janzelf]

The one thing your fellers always overlook: What simple jackass, like me, has a CNC-machine in the shed? Very few content creators involve hand tooling.

[@melevsreef]

I run a business so I had the tool. But these could be cut out by hand, once traced onto the foam sheeting.

[@janzelf]

@@melevsreef Far out, dude.

[@sailshane]

Its not wrkg...

[@charliemurphy9022]

Great, let me go buy that machine you used to cut my foam!! GTFOH!!! how many of us you think have that laying around it the garage???

[@eatshitaholes89]

That ring design is completely useless. Allowing air right into the bottom of pit will do nothing but burn up your wood faster. Nice pit though. 👍

[@white6delta]

Wrong

[@gonnafish]

No, air to the bottom improves combustion and reduces smoke which is hyena result of incomplete burning.

[@Dhru21880]

You r making fire pit too much complicated.

[@tuber93422]

Kinda worthless if you don't have a cnc

[@melevsreef]

You can hand cut the foam. I just happen to own this machine for my day job. 😇

[@tuber93422]

​@@melevsreefI see that...the foam appears to be forgiving of less than perfect cutting

[@melevsreef]

@@tuber93422 Yes, it's easily cut with a utility knife, it just takes a few passes. Or if you had a 'hot knife' you could cut through it like butter.

[@tuberNunya]

Waste of time. This will last two years unless he lives in the south, then maybe three. First fire burns off his paint, three of four more to get the rust steel thin enough to let the fire crack the concrete and the fake concrete decorative retaining block.

[@melevsreef]

It’s a year old so far and still looks great. We shall see.

[@gennadiymostovskiy4127]

Lmao when you have money, you don't need to know how to do shit. Just bust out the old household CNC. Didn't pay attention either when you ripped HAXMAN idea off as your own without any credit. He specifically says that contact cement eats the foam.

[@detroyt232323]

All good burning dry wood is smokeless. What a huge waste of time and makes the overall esthetics of the pit look far worse.