I want to build an outdoor fireplace (portable)

[Triumph]

I'm thinking about building my brother portable outdoor fireplace, since he just bought a new house. Something along the lines of this:

http://www.amazon.com/CobraCo-FB6200...411587&sr=1-13

I have access to a machine shop and can work with metal pretty well, so I thought that building it would mean a lot more as a gift than simply buying that one. Plus a lot of the reviews on Amazon for various fireplaces complain about the same thing - rust. We have a paint booth at work and I can give it a nice, tough powder coat finish.

So I'm looking for tips or ideas to incorporate from all of you people who enjoy a nice fire. What ideas do you have for things like air flow, safety, access, etc? Maybe some way to include a grill for cooking? What would you want in an outdoor fireplace?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Good idea! I've built three fire pits and can offer some suggestions.

A covered pit is great for arresting errant sparks. Some type of shelf around the perimeter for cups/glasses/feet is great. The most important part is easy ash removal because rain or putting out the fire in a hurry with water will do serious damage due to lye leaching out. A wide base to prevent accidental tipping is good. Details are easy to cut out with a plasma cutter. Think of how the design will look at night with a fire going.

Portable is relative. Even a cookie cutter home improvement model is difficult for one person to move, the cup/glass shelving doubles as cool hand holds for moving the pit even when a fire is going..