This smokeless fire pit is better // Shed Part 6

[@ShopNation]

Shed Plans are now available: bit.ly/3DlnU2h

[@clintonjlong17]

Coming from a landscaping background I'd suggest laying out a couple trails of gravel or pavers to get from the shed to the fire pit and then mulching everything else. That way you can plant in the mulched area later if you want

[@spmac101]

This… pavers will be more kind to lawn chairs and kids and less mud in the shop…

[@PaganWizard]

I agree with you, but rather than using real wood chip mulch, I would probably go with the rubber variety. It's made from recycled tires, which keeps them out of landfills, and it holds it's color a lot longer than tree mulch. The rubber mulch is also friendlier to the skin when your kids are running around acting like, well, kids, and they fall, no splinters.

[@myronperish7551]

@PaganWizard I disagree with that for 2 reasons, first it takes away from the nature look and second recycled tires still give off a petroleum smell which I think would be very unpleasant to sit around. Have you ever been on one of those recycled rubber playgrounds for kids? Stinks horrible and I am sure the chemical isn't very good for our systems.

[@VE3AVA]

@@myronperish7551 Yeah, I have to agree with you. Plus the natural mulch will feed your soil microbes over time and since the plan is to have a desirable space for your kids and family stay away from petroleum whenever possible.

[@VE3AVA]

I 100% agree. clear pathways of permeable materials is always the way to go. And feeding your soil with mulch can only be beneficial in the long run.

[@davidmcmichael8113]

This shed is going to be the neighborhood hang out for your son and his friends. The best part of that is. You can keep an eye on them while they think their foot loose and free. Job Well Done Travis.

[@jim2642]

You have been so much fun to watch. You remind me of me at a younger age. My ego also has stopped me asking for hello.

[@AlbertoO.Hardin]

This smokeless fire pit looks absolutely amazing! The innovative design and technology behind it are truly impressive. Not only does it provide all the cozy warmth and ambiance of a traditional fire pit, but the fact that it's smokeless means a cleaner and more enjoyable outdoor experience for everyone. Perfect for gatherings with friends and family without having to worry about smoke blowing in your face or bothering neighbors. I'm definitely considering getting one for my backyard - thanks for sharing this awesome find!

[@admcnich]

Landscaper here, we use the black rubber mallets to level any stone or paver, way softer and lighter then the dead blow. Even though they are called concrete pavers, they are mostly sand and not much for aggregate to make them smooth. A possible cheaper option, we use sand on top of road mix, sand is great for compaction and leveling. As for what you should do around it, break it down into uses. You have a a fire pit, in that zone I would put road fabric down, trail fines, sand, or small gravel for the seating area, maybe put some decorative boulders, and some plant pockets, sod the rest of the area. Think pulling mowers, snowblowers out, can be done with gravel, but easier with sod.

[@ShopNation]

Good to know! Thanks

[@craigschnier8644]

57 stone around the entire building and firepit is the way to go. Cheap and effective to keeping things dry. That's how we did it around here in central NC.

[@timooten5333]

Found your site a few weeks back and have been following this project since the beginning. I too am an engineer (ME) and have been doing woodworking as a hobby since I was young since my dad's hobby was wood working. I turned my hobby into my fulltime job (leaving the business world) until my primary contractor filed bankruptcy on me and I had to go back into the regular work force to support my family. Several years ago I bought a small hobby farm, and my son and I have built several complete buildings (animal shelter, storage barn, workshop, wood barn, etc), and I am thoroughly enjoying watching your thinking processes as you are going through exactly what I went through several years ago. Thank you for this great series, and I am now subscribed and will be following all your projects.

[@davidpaige146]

Looks good! Only thing I'm wondering is if the fire is not getting enough air. I think you need to remove a couple blocks at the bottom. Which might be hard at this point with them being glued together. Good luck, again looks great.

[@coltondunkle9333]

Breeo says as long as you have it resting on the insert ring, there are four holes located North, East, South, and West on it that allow air to travel down to the bottom of the pit. No need to make extra ventilation at the bottom unless you really want to.

[@kendexter]

to little air for sure

[@walteramado5505]

cold air is not going those little holes, you need to make holes in the bottom

[@Tom_Azin]

@@walteramado5505 I agree! This needs to have air intake holes at the bottom.

[@capnpugwash5403]

Needed a few gaps between the blocks at the bottom to allow air to get in and increase the burn off of the smoke.

[@ShopNation]

Nope, that is what is cool about this Breeo, the holes are already incorporated on top

[@capnpugwash5403]

@@ShopNation sorry, but the holes at the top do very little unless you have holes at the bottom of the bricks to allow free circulation of the air. An updraft like in a chimney.

[@WhetherWeather1]

Nice walk-through of smokeless firepit, thank you. Because I share your love for CFB, and have contemplated my future outdoor build, I share an alternate idea for TV viewing. Instead of a TV in the window, I would have put a projector inside (or if possible, outside under the porch) and then simply built a wall to project onto outside. Much bigger viewing area. You could also easily connect speakers under the porch. This way, you retain window for the shed and get a bigger viewing area. Thanks again.

[@daverowe5351]

Flag Stone around the fire pit with a walk to the cabin would be both visually appealing and functional

[@made4anotherworld152]

Crushed granite is amazing stuff all on its own, but if you want to be super "boujie" you can set flagstone in a layer of it in an ever-widening ring around your fire pit, leaving space between the flagstone so the crushed granite becomes your "grout". I'm having fun watching this build!

[@derekl_]

For the ground cover, contact a local lawn & plant shop and look for a local/native low-maintenance cover. Usually there is some variety of clover that you can plant or have laid down that does not require mowing since it never grows more than a couple inches tall but the roots will hold the dirt in place, prevent a mud pit, and only requires the occasional watering (if that).

[@davidward1259]

I also think you need to vent the TV box, also any sun that hits that black paint or TV early in the day will heat it up when the TV is not even on. A bonus is you can also unlock it the box and swing it inside to watch TV while in the shop in hot or cold weather, or just whenever. As to the ground, I would sod it, but then you have to cut the grass also.

[@dhammer5645]

That grill over the firepit screams great place to cook a pizza while watching the game. Also the gravel under the firepit would have been helped by possibly some drainage filter fabric under the gravel. Any rain that runs towards the firepit is going to pic up dirt and bring it in between all the rocks and essentially glog up the spaces in between. Essentially the same kind of cloth over drainage tile(big O).

[@EMBer3000]

Hey!! Little kids and mud mix perfectly well, thank you very much. It's muddy kids indoors and parents that don't mix very well.

[@sergeb7945]

Nice. Just add some vents (bottom & top) to the TV frame. Even a LCD TV produces heat, plus you basically enclosed and sealed it into a small scale greenhouse

[@donchristie420]

Experts do it right the first time Professionals know how to hide their mistakes

[@raptorshawn]

Get in touch with a local tree service company and have them dump you off a few loads of mulch. They are always looking for a place to dump their wood chips and will still give it an outdoor look. A good thick layer should last a long time.

[@IXISSV]

Great job 👍 I think fake grass would be good 😁 put some flag stones around the fire pit, but the rest do fake grass

[@jayeckhart1561]

For the area around the fire pit, I say go with gravel with a curbing of some sort to keep it out of the grass. Kids and mud mix very well, you just need to have a place to hose them off before going into the house.

[@matthysloedolff]

Great job! This shed is coming along nicely. Gravel around the fire pit would be a very easy option, but if you ever want to walk barefoot or with thin sole shoes, it will hurt a bit. One option I would suggest is large flat stones you can also use which some people use for paving. It looks a bit better than pavers (more natural) and it doesn't hurt your feet when you walk on it.

[@onthemorrow3515]

Pavers are always a good option around a fire pit but you should also check out decomposed granite. Compacted gravel base for drainage an then add a compacted layer of decomposed granite on top - should be able to find multiple colors to choose from. You’ll also need edging of some kind (pavers or just landscape edging) to keep it all nice and tidy.

[@269Ski]

Have you thought about putting a rv power hookup on your shed? Go Blue!

[@DevengerKott]

I'd recommend a pair of BOSE pill Bluetooth speakers for your TV sir! They're incredibly versatile and the sound quality is amazing (I ended up getting a pair of them for Christmas last year :-) ). If you get a small Bluetooth transmitter you can route the audio from the TV to the transmitter, and then pair the two speakers together, before positioning them around as needed.

[@lincolndickerson1293]

Put a few feet of gravel around the outside. About 2 inches deep. It acts as a warning track. It works surprisingly well.

[@ericmattinen4728]

For the sitting and traffic areas, a layer of gravel, then after getting that packed down into the mud, top it with decomposed granite or granite chips, AKA course turkey grit. Mulch or seed the rest. Yes, mud and kids mix very well, you just need an outdoor shower and a deck brush...lol

[@joeladam742]

Great video. I am really enjoying the series. My vote for ground cover is pavers around the fire pit for chairs and wood chips everywhere else

[@joshuagrafton8781]

Being honest I would love a shop greatness blanket to cover up in while sitting outside at camp watching the games. So don’t say no one would want one. Keep the videos coming

[@bjk12385]

one of the best parts about a campfire is your clothes smelling like it the next day. One of my favorite smells in all the world

[@ShopNation]

I agree! I always think, man this is how people used to smell all the time! ha

[@johndboran]

I would like to see just leaves and small sticks around the whole area so it looks like you're out in the woods. It won't be muddy once it dries out and the sticks and leaves get down in there and you add a few more big bags of leaves to the area. One thought though, you may want to have some sort of water source out there, like a garden hose, to put out and fires that may happen because of the fire ring/pit. You also don't want to burn down your brand new shed....Greetings from Texas...John B.

[@UncleChester]

Go Vols!

[@GJSfTec]

Glad you sealed your cedar, the nails would have eventually caused staining staining on the cedar. Stainless is the way to go for any exterior exposed cedar unless you don't mind staining.

[@billkiessel6682]

Love my Breeo X24, be prepared to have a lot of firewood on hand for the x30, love this series on the build!

[@zachdavis8499]

Project is looking good! That was a good first game to watch on that TV! GO VOLS!!

[@johnjacobs3160]

Pretty cool oven you built and put a TV in it.

[@jewdd1989]

Nice! I can’t wait for custom build furniture, shed organization, etc.

[@Iammannyt]

Love watching you create this shed project come to life. Can’t wait to see it done. What I would do is mount small outdoors speakers underneath your roof for your tv via Bluetooth when your watching the games outdoors.

[@antonenberg]

The shed is really coming along. Great job! I would put som bark or wood shavings on the ground 😃👍🏻

[@BrandonLaPointe]

I LOVE my Breeo Double Flame (don’t think they make that model anymore). Works amazingly and hope to do an insert like this in the future!

[@lisacantu3322]

Gravel layer with volcano red or black rock scattered on top.

[@susanmyer1]

Loving the progress and your “can do” attitude.

[@leendert2029]

Buy some outdoor onesies for your kids. Let them get dirty, its the best fun.

[@ShopNation]

Now that just might be the easiest option

[@creiij]

Grass, always grass. Easy and looks great

[@GeorgeLoch]

Since it's your money I'm spending...flagstone around the firepit and then add a flagstone pathway. Bonus: flagstone veneer at the bottom of the porch posts :)

[@TheKryptonian68]

I used rubber mulch and it works great and lasts a long time.

[@DGALVIN45]

💯

[@ShopNation]

I like this idea

[@vjaneczko]

Looking good! Think about installing some speakers in the soffit so you can hear the games instead of mounting them on the wall - seems a cleaner install.

[@ShopNation]

I like it.

[@Ravensoul92]

Just make sure to make airflow holes on the bottom and that the top is sealed to prevent any pressure leak, once this airflow problem is solved you will have far less smoke and the secondary fire working. Without it its just not worth using a breeo for the inside, works like any stainless steel bracer/fire pit would.

[@ShopNation]

Breeo already has incorporated vent holes in the top, no need for additional ventilation

[@rudyschwab7709]

You're going to like that swing away grill. I have something similar and I love it. Just like with a meat smoker, but not as intense, you can get different flavors out of your meats with different species of firewood.

[@ShopNation]

Hoping to get sone nice construction pine burgers going soon 😂

[@aneirins7085]

Best part of the video was seeing what games you had on the TV, gotta love seeing Bama lose. GO VOLS

[@Volkswoodshop]

I would say for ground cover a thick layer of the large mulch might work. Sorta the wood mulch they use at playgrounds.

[@jlsage4059]

Decomposed granite. Around the fire pit and deck…DG is the way to go.

[@Mykelthompson]

Rent a mulching machine. Clean up tree debris and use it for ground cover. Thx bro like the channel.

[@scratchinjack608]

Funny. The first thing I noticed was the mud. I thought perhaps pine chips/mulch

[@denniscarreno5882]

That’s crazy having a tv outside….but I love it! Well done…

[@brianhaber7382]

Decomposed granite walking paths and bark mulch for the rest of the area

[@davidrobbins1936]

Looking AWESOME!!! Yeah maybe a couple rows of pavers around the fire pit, a level space for chairs. Then surrounding area wood chips are great to keep mud down, and kids clean ;)

[@lukehosman411]

Mulch. Easy. And over time will make the entire area less prone to holding water. You could till lightly and put down a shade fescue mix, but that takes time and warmth. I’d mulch for now and in a year or two as weeds/grass take in, till and seed it.

[@wittworks]

Smokey would be proud! Good tip on centering on branches. “Construction mediocrity” 😂😂😂

[@chrispound4759]

Always love your videos. Admittedly I came for the smokeless fire pit however the TV box was the star of the show. Very clever idea. Pure genius!!!!

[@ronbrothersjr.2667]

This is great. I have really enjoyed all your content. Love the TV. I made one in my shop that is flush to the rafters and drops down when I want to watch. Advantage of having an unfinished ceiling.

[@projectrebuild908]

The project is looking great. I would chip a load of wood and put wood/bark chippings all in front of the camp house. As pavers will become real slimy under all the falling leaves. Or gravel as that will lead you down to the camp house nicely.

[@MyAdventureContinues]

Roll Tide! Love the channel and your current build.

[@GaJeepr]

Very nice. Quality and a terrific plan. Mine... paid two teenage boys to dig 5' ( YES FEET ) deep and 43" across and is encircled with wall blocks, yeah it looks like pretty badass...but It's a drain culvert inside ( free ). Nobody burns yard waste ever... just a great BIG bed of coals for hot dogs and smores always! Pssst, Sam's also has a sweet inexpensive 36" option. But hey if Breedo sent me one I would "retrofit/upgrade/renovate" my redneck NASA rocket pre-starter! LOL

[@paulhume8083]

Another great video. Project is really coming along and looking good.

[@ricksmith9910]

Flagstone baby, all the way!

[@downunderdave5417]

Really cool fire pit

[@Carkees007]

Love your videos and GO VOLS!!!

[@lazy_OS]

I like the suggestions for a couple gravel paths and some pavers, but I wouldn't do traditional mulch. Look at the rubber mulch. It costs a little more, but you don't have to replace it like traditional mulch/bark. It's heavier so it doesn't blow around as much and it's made for playground areas so your kids can enjoy it if you decide to put some stuff around there for them to play on as well. And - it comes in multiple colors, red, blue, green, black, brown - probably more. Brown would blend in quite nicely there around your shed.

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Most excellent, my dude.

[@RionE23]

One thing that came to mind is venting for the tv.. I imagine the heat from the tv being on in an enclosed box might damage it. Maybe it needs a couple of vents or holes at the top just to allow for air to circulate.

[@ShopNation]

Yeah I'm going to keep an eye on it during the warmer months to see how warm that box gets, won't be a big deal to add some vents to the top/back

[@ronaldchapell4813]

Love the backyard concept. Don't over do it on the landscaping. Flagstone would look nice around the pit and I guess would be easier with chairs. Then just get some natural playground mulch for the rest. Keep it looking like a forest floor and not some hardscaped patio.

[@dreadedscotslass]

Playpark bark is good for a muddy garden. Still feels like you're out in the woods as well

[@everss02]

outdoor speakers are a must

[@hoppyd]

Not sure which brand of TV you installed, but if it's Roku, then you can add their Roku wireless speakers and you won't need to run audio cabling, just need 110 VAC outlet nearby. If it's not a Roku TV, you can still use their wireless speakers. You will just need to get their soundbar. For the speakers to wirelessly connect to. The soundbar only needs the ac power and an HDMI cable to connect to the TV through the ARC-HDMI port. Highly recommend doing this as it will improve your sound and allow you to mount them where ever you want as long as you have power.

[@gjhunter9326]

Great video, came across it searching for smoke less FP designs. While it is a great product and yours was provided by Breeo, just the X30 and the insert ring in stainless lists for around $2,100 as of 7/2023. That significantly more than almost any DIY design. Just noting for DIYers who might like to know. Great option though!!

[@cfunk378]

The cedar on the porch is a nice touch, but the galvanized nails may react to the oils in the cedar and make black dots where you nailed. It's all looking good, though.

[@ShopNation]

Interesting, thanks for the info!

[@meperson]

That is great progress on your project and fun and educational video as always - thanks! I would go with gravel or pavers next to the fire pit and mulch further away. For gravel you want to have a good base with heavy duty landscape fabric and hexagon mesh to keep it from being washed/kicked away. For mulch put heavy duty landscape fabric first so it won't sink into the much. Notice the pattern of doing good base so things don't sink into the mud - don't ask how I would know 🙂.

[@ymck1294]

Man..I was planning to build a very tiny house , more like cabin before I founded your channel. and now you're my inspiration to make it really happen Ps english not my first language

[@justinbey3426]

More expensive and time consuming, but pavers, with a solid base so they don’t sink or go anywhere over time, I think are a great option. We built a backyard fire pit last year and also built a paver circle about 5’ in each direction of the pit as a seating area. Really happy with it and don’t regret the extra work vs gravel

[@sammarkman3730]

Pavers for around the fireplace with a small half moon retaining wall to keep paver base level and shield from the high ground on the back (front?) side!

[@austinstephenson9877]

I vote gravel! With pavers for a pathway into the shed

[@RandomStuff2024-j3g]

how about some wood chips over the dirt it will keep the mud under control and still feel like outdoors

[@jeffchandler5520]

Microclover as ground cover - no weeding, no cutting, no pesticides for bugs- etc.

[@MaxGoddur]

Nice!

[@nellermann]

I personally hate rounded rocks that go everywhere especially with little kids. Go with crushed blue stone that you see in paths at nature centers or go with local mulch. Mulch is great in the woods.

[@scottanderson691]

This is an absolutely awesome project. Nice job!

[@apdj94]

I think my choice for the ground around the fire pit would be a thin layer of gravel. I feel like pavers would just give too many hard lines to look at. Gravel would also probably be a lot easier to lay down

[@SirCarlosMusicBMI]

Love your TV invention. I really like creative people. So glad that I found your channel. I’m now subscribed. Blessings, Carlos ✝️🙏❤️😊❗️

[@Marine-wj4jv]

Real men don't ask for help, they engineer!

[@k1sfd1974]

Right into the ED sometimes. ;) usually saying “well, it seemed like a good idea at the time! No, I didn’t think that… [insert cause of accident here].” I know we aren’t always the best at it, but at least try to be safe in your backyard engineering projects!

[@jcsfive5670]

Is this a Kanye/Lex inspired comment? Lol

[@ruffneckranch]

He used a pulley, calm down.

[@Veemack21]

It looks really nice !

[@janishall8062]

When you pulled the fire pit up using you redneck system, I wanted to grunt like Tim the tool-man from Home Improvement.

[@IndyGuy09]

Awesome job!

[@Erik_The_Viking]

Love the project! I would put some pavers and gravel around the fire pit (18" or so) just in case of some hot embers getting out of the pit, and then mulch or similar material everywhere else.

[@Hipps78]

Pretty sure Hyatt scored 4 more TD’s while this video was playing. Go Vols!!!

[@williamprice7571]

Id put down a layer of decomposed granite then a layer of cypress bark mulch keep it natural looking

[@Danman1972]

Little kids love mud! I would say pavers or just decomposed granite with a paver edge. I would look at both and compare the cost. Go with what is cheaper.

[@FixItYerself]

Thanks for the great vid! I'm confused as to why you dug out the pond underneath, but like the metal components and everything else

[@OVHabitats]

My suggestion is to find a wholesale wood chip/ mulch supplier. (buying it by the bag will put you deeper in the poor house) Cover the area with mulch gives you the natural look, keep the inevitable running child from scraped knees from fall on rocks and the cost is much lower.