I found an old washer tub, and knocked the bottom out of it. It left a stainless steel tube. I dug a hole big enough to put the tub in, and back filled the outside of it. I Dug the hole where the top of the tube was at ground level, and then on the ground around it, I put those retaining wall bricks around the outside, two high. It has been so much fun. I do need to get a grate for the top because I'd like to use it for a grill too. I love it!!

I built one a month ago. I had a gas line stubbed up through the concrete decking of my pool when they poured it. 1.I got a 90 degree shut off valv and connected it to a flexible gas line (pick one up in the appliance section at local Home builder store). 2.Bought a fire ring from an outdoor furniture\BBQ store and connected the fir ring to the flexible gas line.(but you can buy the kit here. http://www.firelogs.com/HearthProductsFireRing.htm) scroll down the page. 3. I bought stackable blocks (like you would use to build a small garden retaining wall) and configured them into a circle (abot 15 blocks per layer, 3 layers high). no need to morter, just stack 'em. 4. Bought 10 bags of lava rock in the BBQ section of home builder store and poured them in under and then over the fire ring. Now I just turn on the gas valve and light it. Works great. If you want pictures, let me know by email. rgs@thesissons.com

We have had a Weber one for over a decade and it is still fine. The body and lid are black like a typical Weber grill. There are a couple of tiny rust spots where the is a defect in the paint. There is an unpainted piece that goes between the body and lid when it is in use and that has a rust coating but is still solid and strong. We keep it outside but often it is stored under our eaves which provide a bit of shelter. Perhaps our drier California climate helps. We like that it is light enough to move to where we want it for use and then put it out of the way when not in use because a fire pit without a fire isn't the most attractive thing and I wouldn't want to have it in the way in the middle of the patio but when sitting around it on a cool night that's a nice place for it. When one is done with the fire, one can put out the fire by taking the unpainted piece out and putting the lid directly on the base. That's a nice feature because I wouldn't like to leave a fire going outside unattended.

Do you prefer the smooth finish or textured? My general thought is if you are planning to be there for awhile do what you like. Any new owner will likely able to tell on aging that you added the outdoor space and it is a nice selling point anyway. The pavers and landscaping will make it feel update so I think for the fire pit/BBQ do what you like.