Barbeque pits can be made to enjoy both cooking and fires.
Backyard barbecue once meant a metal grill set up on a patio or in a back yard, today BBQ's have evolved into "outdoor kitchens" with giant built-in cookers and smokers. But patio barbecue's don't have to be that elaborate. You can build a simple fire pit into a patio, incorporating the same type of pavers already in use. There are several options for patio paver barbecue pits. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
1. Dig out an open pit in the patio by removing the bricks from the desired area if you are adding a pit to an existing patio. Make the hole at least 12 inches deep, depending on how big a fire you intend to build, and as big around or as square as you want. Size it to fit a prefabricated grill, unless you intend to make your own grill. Make sure to adapt the dimensions to firebricks and pavers you will use to meet the 12 inch requirements.
2. Line the bottom of the pit with six inches of gravel, topped with a thick layer of sand. Use sand as the base for the fire pit or line the bottom with firebrick, set atop of a thinner layer of sand. Stack pavers around the perimeter of the fire pit. As you build up several courses (layers) of pavers, make sure to overlap the joints. Continue until you are level with the patio or if you want it higher, continue until you reach your desired height. You may choose to dry stack pavers or set them with mortar.
3. Adding a top to your BBQ pit allows you to use it as a smoker.
Insert the grill. A true barbecue pit uses two grills, a lower one that is solid halfway across and a top grill, the kind commonly seen in hardware and home improvement stores. To install a permanent grill, when performing step two, secure the edges of the grill between the courses of pavers so they hold it in place. Use either a purchased grill or one fashioned from steel bars or expanded metal sheeting. To use the fire pit as a smoker, place a metal cover over the pit.
4. Purchase a pre-formed fire ring or metal pit kit to simplify construction. Prepare a solid base for a ring or square pit liner. Make a base of concrete or firebrick and set the insert in place, then build the walls up with your pavers. Build the paver walls up to about knee height to use the fire pit comfortably while seated in a chair. To use this style as a smoker, choose a kit with a cover.
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