How To: Build an Outdoor Brick Fireplace

Good intro to fireplace building, but you've given some bad (and sometimes downright dangerous!) advice...

First, you should not be using just any old concrete blocks in your fireplace. Heat and fire can break down the bonds created during the curing processes of concrete. This can lead to catastrophic failure of the structure and create a VERY dangerous collapse of red hot materials. In your case, it could create a fire due to the proximity of the wooden decking if it collapses. I won't even mention the gases they could give off that your family would be breathing in.

Second, if you intend to use this fireplace for cooking any kind of food you should not be using painted metals or metals with unknown alloys. The paint can give off caustic gases which will seep through the porous brick and concrete and leech into your food. The unknown allows can do similar things, but may give off heavy metals in the heating and cooling process.

Third, and this is possibly the most immediate danger: NEVER pour water into an acid. This is basic chemistry 101, and there are multiple reasons why it should not be done. Two quick ones are the possibility of splashout of the acidic liquid and the exothermic reaction created when adding water to acid. Both can lead to blowback of the materials, causing permanent, and possibly deadly, damage to your person.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exothermic_reaction

Also to note, any use of acids should be accompanied with the appropriate safety measures. Good quality nitrile gloves, the proper eyewear, and a safety station with base water and eyewash abilities should ALWAYS be used. It should also be suggested to utilize the proper breathing equipment to prevent permanent damage to your lungs during use of the acid mixture. Additionally, gas starters should always be installed by a licensed professional. Anything else is taking unnecessary risks.

Stay safe and enjoy your fireplace!

this fire place is an accident waiting to happen