Tabletop Fire Bowl | How to Easily Make Your Own

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This project is easy to put together. It’s a DIY tabletop fire bowl.

It all started last year when we were forced to spend more time at home. We took the opportunity to improve our outdoor space by landscaping and gardening. We got some outdoor furniture and I can honestly say that we really enjoy our yard. I can’t imagine getting through the pandemic without having an outdoor space. I have come to greatly appreciate it.

This summer, I wanted to improve it a bit more. I had thought about a fire pit last year but wasn’t sure about one since we have our dog Barry and the fact that we just don’t have a lot of physical space. So then my thoughts turned to a tabletop fire bowl.

A tabletop fire bowl is smaller and more manageable for our space. Since it’s going to be sitting on an end table, it would be elevated so we wouldn’t have to worry about the dog and so this seemed to be a good alternative.

Supplies Needed to Make a Tabletop Fire Bowl

This project does not require a lot of items and is easy to put together.

• fire safe bowl – terracotta or concrete. I got a small concrete planter from the dollar store.
• methanol fuel – these are the little cans that are used in camping or go under chafing dishes; if you want to roast marshmallows, you need a special food-safe version.
• fire glass or lava rock – these are both fire safe.
  *Do not use regular glass rocks or even regular rocks as they may explode when heated. Lava rock is cheaper than fire glass. Fire glass is not cheap! For me, this was the most expensive part of the project. Depending on the size of bowl you are using you may need a lot.

How to Make a Tabletop Fire Bowl

• depending on how deep your bowl is, you may wish to put some of the fireglass or lava rock on the bottom of the bowl so that you can elevate the methanol fuel
• place your methanol fuel in the centre and make sure it’s level

• surround the methanol fuel with the remaining fireglass or lava rock

Now all you have to do is light the fuel, sit back and enjoy.

Safety First

It’s important to be safe whenever fire is involved.

• make sure your fire bowl is on a stable surface
• don’t leave your fire bowl unattended
• be cautious with pets and children so that the table is not bumped
• make sure the flame is completely out when you are done – simply cover the top of the can with the lid; unused gel can be relit

Don’t forget that if you want to use this to roast marshmallows, you should use the food-safe methanol fuel. Keep in mind that marshmallows can drip onto your fireglass.

This tabletop fire bowl makes our backyard space so much more welcoming. It’s so nice to sit out here after the sun sets now.

I love that this fire bowl is small and can be put away easily during the winter months.

Want to remember how to make this tabletop fire bowl? Be sure to save this to your favourite Pinterest board.