| If you are planning to be truly adventurous with your | | | | the lining is that it evens out and holds the heat. |
| barbecue parties this summer, one of the things you | | | | You can line the pit with a bed of gravel; then mix |
| could do is build your own barbecue pit. Arguably one | | | | dry mortar with water and spread a two inch thick |
| of the oldest forms of cooking, pit cooking needs | | | | circular layer all around the edge of the gravel. While |
| you to simply dig a hole in the ground, fill it with fire, | | | | the mortar is still wet, smooth the surface. Then |
| add a large animal, cover, and cook. Voila, your | | | | place a roll of flat cinder blocks all along the |
| authentic pit barbecue is done! | | | | perimeter, leveling them as you go along. As the |
| The digging of the pit though, needs some expertise. | | | | mortar dries, fill the hole with dirt, and spread fresh |
| To begin with, pick the right spot, not far from the | | | | mortar and smooth again. Scrape off any spare |
| house. Keep away from fences, electric lines or | | | | mortar. Add another layer of bricks, changing the |
| overhead trees. Keep wind directions in mind and try | | | | pattern. Build the inner wall, following the same |
| to protect the pit from rains. After all, you would | | | | method. |
| want the pit to be secure for several years in the | | | | Finally, insert metal braces for the grill in the mortar, |
| least. | | | | and build a final layer of bricks on top. Leave to dry. |
| The site selected, the size of the hole will depend on | | | | When hard, place the grill on top of the metal braces. |
| the animal you are cooking. In fact, it will need to be | | | | Building your own barbecue pit may sound like a |
| a foot larger that the animal in all directions. If you | | | | tedious project, but remember, a DIY barbecue pit |
| are planning to roast a hog that is four by two feet, | | | | will make you the envy of the neighborhood. What's |
| your pit should safely be six by four feet. Keep to a | | | | more building the pit yourself will give you the |
| depth of about three feet for your pit. Once you | | | | satisfaction no store bought pit will fetch. So are you |
| have the pit dug, you will need to line it. This is | | | | feeling up to the enterprise? The results will be |
| mostly done with stones or bricks. The reason for | | | | unmatched, for sure! |