Backyard Fireplace: The Richardson Family's Fireplace and Oven Wall
A wood-burning fireplace and a firebrick barrel oven, built side by side into one gray block wall in a Michigan backyard. Here is every stage, from the footing holes to the first pizza.
- Built By
- The Richardson Family
- Location
- Michigan
- Oven Style
- Fire Brick Barrel
- Photos & Videos
- 13 Photos
- Homeowner Review
- ★★★★★
Build Time-Lapse
Watch This Backyard Fireplace and Oven Get Built
From footing holes to a fire in the fireplace and pizza in the oven, in about 33 seconds. Press play, or grab the slider and scrub through the build yourself.
Looking for backyard fireplace ideas? This Michigan build puts a wood-burning fireplace and a Mattone Barile firebrick barrel oven side by side in one long gray block wall, with firewood stored right under the oven. The Richardsons did the work as a family, from drilling the footing holes to sliding in the first pizza. Here is how it came together, photo by photo.
Step 1 of 8
Step 1: Drill the Footings and Set the Sonotubes
A backyard fireplace and oven are heavy, so this one sits on concrete piers. A towable auger drilled the footing holes, then a wood form went around the pad and the gravel was compacted around the sonotube holes.
Step 2 of 8
Step 2: Pour the Concrete Slab
With the piers in, the concrete slab was poured inside the wood form, right next to the stamped patio. Everything else gets built on top of it.
Step 3 of 8
Step 3: Cut the Pavers and Lay the Block Base
Gray landscape block went up in one long base: a stand for the oven on one side and a raised box for the fireplace on the other, topped with a stone cap course. Pavers were cut to fit with a cut-off saw.
Step 4 of 8
Step 4: Cap the Oven Stand and Insulate the Hearth
A concrete hearth slab went on top of the oven stand, then an insulating layer over it, so the heat stays in the oven instead of soaking into the block below.
Step 5 of 8
Step 5: Line the Fireplace Firebox With Firebrick
The fireplace box was lined with firebrick, since that is the part of a backyard fireplace that takes the flames. Beside it, the covered oven hearth waited for the barrel.
Step 6 of 8
Step 6: Build the Firebrick Barrel Over the Foam Form
The Mattone Barile foam form set the barrel shape on the firebrick cooking surface, and the firebrick arch courses went up over it. Next door, the fireplace chimney was finished in the same gray block.
Step 7 of 8
Step 7: Light the First Fire and Bake
Firewood went into the bay below and a fire went into the oven. The first pizzas, topped with prosciutto and basil, baked right beside the fire on the firebrick cooking surface and went straight to the patio table.
Step 8 of 8
Step 8: Finish It in Stucco and Charcoal Brick
Gray stucco went over the barrel, with a charcoal brick arch around the door and a charcoal brick chimney on top. A gray paver patio finished the backyard, with the fireplace and the oven side by side.
Hover over the dots (or tap them on your phone) to see what makes this backyard fireplace and oven one of a kind.
- Charcoal Brick ChimneyA short charcoal brick chimney sits on top of the oven.
- Brick Arch & DoorA charcoal brick arch frames the oven door and its wood handles.
- Stucco BarrelThe firebrick barrel is finished in smooth gray stucco.
- Firewood BaySplit firewood stored right under the oven.
- Wood-Burning FireplaceA firebrick-lined fireplace sits right beside the oven.
- Block Fireplace ChimneyA tall gray block chimney with a stone cap.
- Stone Cap LedgeA stone cap course runs along the front of the base.
- Paver PatioThe whole wall sits on a new gray paver patio.
BeforeFinished
Drag across the photo (or just move your mouse) to go from a gray block base to the finished backyard fireplace and oven.
Plan Yours
Backyard Fireplace Ideas From This Build
Put the fireplace and oven in one wall. One long block base holds both, so they finish as one piece. See more outdoor fireplace with pizza oven builds.
Start on solid footings. Concrete piers under a poured slab give a heavy fireplace and oven a base that will not settle.
Store the firewood where you burn it. The bay under the oven keeps a stack of dry wood within arm's reach of both fires.
Insulate under the oven. An insulating layer under the firebrick cooking surface keeps the heat where you cook.
Mix your finishes. Gray stucco on the barrel and charcoal brick on the arch and chimney stand out against the gray block. For another fireplace and oven combo, see how the Grunick family built theirs, stage by stage in stone.
Good Questions
Backyard Fireplace: FAQ
Can you build a pizza oven next to a backyard fireplace?
Yes. The Richardsons built one long block base with the fireplace on one side and the oven stand on the other, gave each fire its own chimney and stored the firewood under the oven. See more outdoor fireplace with pizza oven builds.
What is this backyard fireplace built on?
Concrete piers set in sonotubes, a poured concrete slab over them, and gray landscape block on top of that.
Does a backyard fireplace need firebrick?
The firebox does. Anywhere the flames touch should be firebrick set in refractory mortar. The Richardsons lined their fireplace box with firebrick and used landscape block everywhere else.
Which oven kit did the Richardson family use?
They built a firebrick barrel with Mattone Barile · Package 3 and finished it in gray stucco with a charcoal brick arch and chimney.
How long do you cure a new pizza oven?
Plan on about a week of small, gradually bigger fires to drive the moisture out. Skip it and the oven can crack. See our pizza oven curing guide for the full schedule.
Your Turn
Build Your Own Backyard Fireplace and Oven
The Richardson family turned one corner of their Michigan backyard into a fireplace and a pizza oven in one gray block wall. Every one starts with the same kit and plans. Start with our free plans and materials list, then finish it your way. Ready to start? See the Mattone Barile kits, or compare all of our pizza oven kits.
