Mini Indoor Fire Pit for S'mores
Introduction: Mini Indoor Fire Pit for S'mores
This project has been on my mind for a while now and what better time to make it than winter months when bonfires and BBQs are out of question.
S'mores were introduced to my European-self via American movies and I never even thought to make them myself. That is until I met my newest friend, who happens to be a s'more obsessed American. Unfortunately, since he lives in an apartment in London, he's unable to make them himself and he's constantly trying to come up with alternatives. Believe me, there is nothing sadder than watching a grown man trying to heat up marshmallows with a lighter or spreading marshmallow fluff over saltine crackers and topping it with nutella. I finally took it upon myself to make him an indoor fire pit to satisfy his cravings.
Supplies
# Cement or concrete mix + optional powdered pigments
# Mould - silicone mould, 3D printed mould or DIY homemade mould
If you don't have a 3D printer, use plastic containers you have laying around the house to create a simple mould.
# Mould release - oil based
If you are using DIY plastic mould or 3D printed one, you can use any oil based lubricant on hand- cooking oil, baby oil, Vaseline etc. 74
For professional silicone moulds you will need special release agents to prevent damage.
# Sanding paper, at least 120-320 grit
Optional: Dremel, concrete polishing pads
# Concrete sealer - optional
Only non-solvent sealer! It can be skipped altogether if you absolutely don't want to use it, but it will look better and cement won't be prone to stains or damage.
Sealer can usually only be bought in large quantities, but sometimes you can buy samples (1-2 oz.) on eBay and Amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=concrete+sealer&crid=...
# Decorative stones or pebbles
# Heat-proof metal container for alcohol burning
# Methanol, ethanol or isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) - high concentration
I tested 70% and 99% isopropyl alcohol and both worked, however 99% burned longer and more consistently.
OR
# chafing fuel https://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympia-CE241-Chafing-Fue...
Step 1: Moulds
You can buy special silicone moulds or make them yourself using household items like plastic and metal containers, melamine boards or even cardboard.You can also 3D print them.
I've found an interesting bowl design on Thingiverse, I tweaked it a bit and made it into a mould. When I'm no longer using the fire pit I will be able to fill the bowl with decorative pebbles, candles or use it as a succulent planter.
Step 2: 3D Printing Moulds Using CURA's 'MOLD' Mode
Cura has this interesting feature that allows you to print any object in a mould (mold) form. I have no idea what the intended purpose of that mode is, but I use it to print moulds and fill them with cement or plaster. Not all objects can be converted and still be usable, some have to be modified, but it works great for simple designs like bowls, vases, planters.
Once you made or downloaded a design of a bowl or planter, import it into Cura and find 'mold' feature in settings.
Print your mould upside down.
* 0.2 or 0.3 layer height
* 0.4 mm wall thickness
* 0.8 mm bottom and top
* 2-10% infill (depends on the size of the object)
* use raft as build plate adhesion (at least 2 layers), it will also act as a connector between the outer mould shell and the inner part
Step 3: Cement/ Concrete
Use cement or concrete mix, either one will work. While concrete is stronger than just cement, on a small scale project like this the lack of aggregates won't matter as much.
In fact cement works better than concrete, since there are no gravel pieces and the whole mixture fills small cavities perfectly, so the end result is flawless.
Cement doesn't usually stick to PLA too much, so mould release is not strictly necessary, but I like to spray some WD-40 on the insde of the mould just in case.
Mix a batch or cement- white, pale gray or dark gray (whatever is available in your country), add pigments if you want to and pour into the mould.
Bang the whole mould onto the countertop to release any air bubbles and to spread the mixture evenly. 254