Your fireplace build: what comes first, and what can wait

Some parts of this build can't be rushed.

The footing is one of them. Skip it or rush it, and a heavy brick fireplace will lean and crack.

The mantel can wait. So can the first big fire. Those come last, and there's a good reason the first fire stays small.

We just rebuilt our outdoor fireplace guide from the ground up. It walks you through a brick build in weekend-sized stages, and every stage ends at a safe place to stop for the day.

It also fixes two things the old version got wrong. Gas parts are a job for a licensed fitter, so the grill bay is now a dry spot for firewood. And the harsh acid wash is gone.

Not sure you want a full brick build yet? There's a simpler path in there too, for families who'd rather sit by a fire this weekend.

Settle this for me, Out of curiosity, which way would rather you go? Cast your vote below.

What's inside

• What has to be right before the first brick goes down

• Why firebrick only goes in one part of the fireplace

• The one cleanup step that has to wait

See the outdoor fireplace build →

Talk soon,