A fire pit support is used between a fire pit and the underlying support surface. The fire pit support provides a heat shield that carries the fire pit above the underlying support surface while allowing air to circulate between the support surface and the heat shield. The fire pit support provides a raised lip about the perimeter of the heat shield to prevent the fire pit from unintentionally sliding off the edge of the fire pit support. The fire pit support includes water drainage openings that allow water to drain through the fire pit support. The drainage openings are configured to minimize heat that passes through the heat shield. The fire pit support can be shipped to the end user in a disassembled condition and readily erected by the end user using a typical screwdriver.