Outdoor pit?

[OutdoorsGirl]

How hard is it to build an outdoor pit? I think it would be cool to have one at our cottage, what things does it require? Could you use old BBQ racks for the racks?

[jason]

It could be as easy or hard as you want it? Do you just want to dig a hole in the ground? Maybe just put some blocks in a circle/square/rectangle I've seen others where they dug down a little and built up, then put brick around it and made brick benches to sit on around it.

You can use old BBQ racks yes. A friend had built one for that. It was a U shape out of bricks, put the BBQ rack up top. Fed the fire through the opening.

[Michael]

It's really easy to build a cooking pit. You just dig a hole, then line it with rocks, bricks, or cinder blocks. There needs to be enough room inside that you can build up a good bed of hot coals, so a foot or so from the top of the rocks is a good minimum. Then you toss on a metal grate or a caste iron pan, and you're good to go.

Just remember that a pit full of hot coals is really, really hot. Even if there aren't any flames at all, you can easily burn yourself by reaching over it. So be really careful, and long utensils are your friend.

Cooking food over hot coals is the best. Have fun with it.

[OutdoorsGirl]

Sounds easy enough. I think I am going to start compiling things to make one in the spring, It is almost too late to build one for this year.

[deb60]

We used old railroad ties for our fire pit. They are great at keeping everything in the pit. One time we made one out of fire-safe bricks and that worked well too. My hubby is a mason so he can build anything.

[Stoker]

I used cinder blocks for mine. To cut down on the amount of work, I just didn't dig that deep, and had it half underground and half above.

[OutdoorsGirl]

I think I am going to look for some designs or at least pictures, my husband isn't too bad when he has a guide to go by.