With just 3 items you can make this DIY Tabletop Fire Bowl to enjoy on your patio or outdoor space.
You are going to LOVE this simple project for your patio or deck! We love hanging outside on my deck, in my outdoor room, or out by our new outdoor fireplace! Everyone needs an outdoor space they can enjoy, whether it’s a balcony or large patio, easy DIY garden projects make it better. My tutorial on DIY Mason Jar Solar Lights are another simple project for all outdoor spaces.
DIY Tabletop Fire Bowl Project
This easy DIY fire bowl project is great for placing on your deck or patio. It gives off a great ambiance and you can even made S’mores.
It was one of the easiest outdoor projects I’ve done! It couldn’t be easier! You only need 3 items and you’re ready to go. 
DIY Tabletop Fire Bowl Supplies
- Fireproof container – I used a wide top terracotta flower planter.
- Fire Glass or Rocks – When I couldn’t find the specialty glass at Lowes, ordered it at a ridiculous price, only to realize I could have used leftover pea gravel I had in my outdoor potting area. So, unless you need a certain color, save your money and use any type of rock.
- Clean burning gel – grab the food safe variety if you plan on using for roasting marshmallows.
How to Make a Tabletop Fire Bowl
EASY TO MAKE OUTDOOR GARDEN DECOR!
Materials
- Fireproof Container like a terracotta planter or galvanized bucket.
- Fire Glass, Pea Gravel or Small Rocks
- Sterno Clean Burning Gel - get food safe if you plan to use it for roasting.
Instructions
- Gather your supplies.
- Fill container 3/4 full with rock or gravel.
- Position and wedge the burning gel can in the middle.
- Take the lid off to light. Replace the lid to extinguish.
Notes
Use outdoors only. Use common fire safety guidelines when using.
I thought the rocks were going to be smaller and didn’t expect them to be big chunks, but what’s a girl to do?
I had a small wide flower bowl I also picked up from Lowe’s and used a 10lb bag of the rocks. I didn’t think it would be enough at first, so I filled the bottom with pea gravel, then topped it off with the blue fire glass. I loosened the lid of the sterno can and then wedged the can into the center. I found the gel flame cans at my local Fred Meyer in the camping section.
Can You Use Other Rocks for a Tabletop Fire Bowl?
- Small River Rock
- Gravel
- Pea Gravel
Any hard non-flammable material will work great. The fire isn’t in direct contact like it would be for a natural gas fire pit and there is very little heat generated.
The fire glass is beautiful and it worked well, but it’s expensive.
And I hate to admit it, but the pea gravel looked more my style and would have worked great……and here I already had a full bucket in my potting area.
Can I Roast Marshmallows with a Tabletop Fire Bowl
Outdoor fires and S’Mores go hand in hand, so you know someone will want to know if they can make one.
As long as you use a burning fuel that is also safe for this purpose, you’re good to go. The flame is small, so if you have a few people, you may consider getting more than one can.
Can I Make a Larger Firebowl?
When wanting to make a tabletop fire bowl, you’ll need to consider where you’re using it and if it will be safe.
If you want a larger one you can use a larger galvanized tray or tub if wanted. As long as the container is fire safe. You may consider a DIY Firepit instead.
How to Put the Fire Out on a Fire Bowl
How to Put the Fire Out on a Fire BowlBecause it can burn for hours, you may want to put it out on your own. You cannot blow on it like a candle. To extinguish the flame, use tongs to place the lid back on. It goes out immediately.
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Kim Gonzales says
So you need fire glass but I don’t understand you said to add water to the pea pebbles?? Is there suppose to be water on the bottom of the fire glass?
Kim says
Hi Kim, Sorry to confuse you by showing my DIY Fountain at the end of the post. The text on the fountain photo has nothing to do with the fire bowl. The full tutorial is included for the fire bowl in this post and doesn’t not use water. If you click to also view the fountain tutorial, you’ll see that it does however use water.
Peggy says
What size of terracotta planter did you use? Thank you can’t wait to make this 🙂
Kim says
Any size will work. Mine is probably a little over a foot across.
Coleen says
I was wondering if the glass pebbles that you can buy at the dollar stores would work or small rocks from my garden.
Kim says
I’m not sure. I would want to use a fire safe product in case it cracked.
Coleen says
that makes sense thanks
Stephanie says
What a great idea, so easy. I will be doing this, maybe today if I can find the Fire Glass locally! Too bad I didn’t see this when you first posted it, before my husband’s 50th birthday party, it would have been a big hit along with my wine bottle torches.
Kim says
I hope you find it!
Condo Blues says
The fire glass makes it look like fire and ice!
Kim says
I never thought of that!
Carrie This Home says
I love, love, love this idea! This is a great way to get that look without using up a lot of deck space. Pinned it and can’t wait to try it out on my own deck!
Stefanie says
This looks beautiful! I’d probably add two more cans of gel fuel too….I like a good fire! 🙂
P.S. Not to be all ‘Grammar Police’, but you extinguish a flame, not distinguish. :0 Sorry, I went in to homeschool mom mode…….
Kim says
Good catch!!!! I didn’t realize I did that! Thank you! Changing it now.
Kim says
Thank you! I’m loving it!
Carie says
This looks like the fanciest table top s’more making station ever! We don’t have a fire pit, always seems too smokey, but this would be a better fit & super easy to take along too! Thanks 🙂
Kim says
Please make sure cooking Marshmallows over the Sterno Clean burning gel is safe for eating.
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
What a fun idea for summertime – thanks for sharing this easy DIY idea!
Kim says
Thank you! I love it! I’ve been wanting to do this for a couple of years now.