How To Build An Outdoor Cooking Pit

Building an outdoor cooking pit is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and cook delicious food. It's a relatively simple project that can be completed in a weekend. Here are the essential steps on how to build an outdoor cooking pit:

1. Choose A Location

The first step is to choose a location for your cooking pit. It should be in a level area that is away from any trees or other hazards. You'll also need to make sure that there is good drainage in the area.

2. Dig A Hole

The next step is to dig a hole for your cooking pit. The hole should be about 2 feet in diameter and 1 foot deep. If you're using a fire pit ring, you can place it in the hole now.

3. Line The Hole

Once you have dug the hole, you need to line it with a layer of crushed gravel. This will help to keep the fire from burning the ground and will also help to improve drainage.

4. Build The Fire Pit

Now it's time to build the fire pit. You can use a variety of materials to build the fire pit, such as bricks, stones, or concrete blocks. If you're using bricks or stones, you'll need to mortar them together. If you're using concrete blocks, you'll need to stack them together and secure them with concrete adhesive.

5. Add A Grate

Once the fire pit is built, you need to add a grate. The grate will hold the food over the fire. You can use a metal grate, a cast iron grate, or even a grate made from rebar.

6. Season The Fire Pit

Before you use your cooking pit for the first time, you need to season it. To season the fire pit, build a small fire in the pit and let it burn for several hours. This will help to create a protective layer on the fire pit that will prevent it from rusting.

7. Enjoy Your Cooking Pit

Once your cooking pit is seasoned, you can start cooking! You can cook anything over an open fire, from burgers and hot dogs to steaks and fish. Just be sure to use caution when cooking over an open flame.