Deep-pit barbecues allow you to cook large pieces of meat slowly and inexpensively. Dig a large hole in the ground to build a fire. Once you successfully build the fire, you can then prepare the large meat for the pit. Pork, lamb and beef are often cooked in barbecue pits, but you can prepare almost any type of meat. Successfully barbecuing the meat does require some trial and error, but the results will be worth it when you impress your friends and family members with a meal of slow-cooked, juicy barbecue. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Dig a pit large enough to cook the food. The barbecue pit will need to be 2 feet wider and longer than what you plan to cook. If you want to barbecue a whole pig that has a measurement of 4 by 2 feet, then you will need to dig a hole that is 6 by 4 feet. Pile the soil off to the side to use later.
2. Line the barbecue pit with bricks or large stones to help hold the heat inside. Water the grass around the pit to prevent sparks from flying up when you add more wood or coals to the fire pit.
3. Fill the pit 2-1/2 feet deep with coals or wooden logs. It can take up to two hours until you have the depth of coals that you need, and you may need to add more coals and wood to the pit to get the necessary depth for the coals. Light the coals or wood to start the fire. Allow the logs to burn down into embers, which may take between four to six hours. Smooth the embers with a shovel.
4. Prepare the food for the barbecue pit. Season the meat if you desire. Place the cut of meat in a clean and dry grocery bag. Fold the grocery bag around the food to keep it tightly secured. Wrap the grocery bag with two sheets of wet newspaper to prevent the bag from catching on fire.
5. Add 2-½ feet of aspen or other green branches on top of the embers. Lower the meat into the pit carefully so it sits on the branches. Cover the pit with a large sheet of metal to help cut off the air so the meat does not burn. Cover the metal with a large tarp and place the soil on top to prevent any smoke from escaping. Place an old blanket on top of the soil to maintain the heat. The coals will continue to burn and cook the meat, and covering the pit will help to maintain a constant temperature.
6. Cook the meat until it reaches the desired doneness. Large pieces of meat can take up to 12 hours to cook. You can also cook the meat overnight and enjoy it the next day.
Tags: build fire, coals wood, cook meat, depth coals, food barbecue, meat does, pieces meat