Build a Temporary Brick Barbecue

You can build a cheap outdoor fire pit grill on your own which you can use to barbecue foods over a real wood fire! All you need are a few supplies from a hardware store and a little work.

Steps

  1. Plan the position and size of your circular brick fire pit grill. The size should be based on the size of grill grate and/or screen or cover you can find for your grill.
  2. Use your grill grate as a guide for the size. The diameter should be slightly smaller than the diameter of your grill grate.
  3. Lay the round piece of heat-proof sheet metal on the ground in the position of your brick barbecue (optional). Otherwise, mark the size of your grill on the ground using the grill grate as a guide.
  4. Arrange bricks or cinder blocks in a circular fashion so that they are almost touching.
  5. After the first layer circle is complete, add the next layer, with the new bricks overlapping two bricks in the layer beneath (staggered).
  6. Continue adding layers until you reach the desired height, about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
  7. Place stones in the base of your fire pit, followed by firewood.
  8. Start your fire and burn until there is a good depth of glowing red wood embers in the bottom.
  9. Place the grill grate on top of the brick fire pit and start cooking your food!



Tips

  • Use a solid, stable surface. If your surface is not flammable and is okay to damage with soot and char marks (such as cement, concrete, gravel or firm packed dirt) you do not need to use a flame-resistant metal base. If you want to protect your ground surface, use the metal base.
  • It is okay If there are slight gaps in the wall of your barbecue pit. If your bricks do not line up completely in your circle size, slightly adjust the size smaller so that your bricks fit with minimal space between the final two bricks.
  • Use large bricks or cinder blocks, they will be more stable and less likely to topple. The number you need will depend on the size of the bricks and the size of your fire pit.
  • If your bricks or cinder blocks have holes through them, align the holes up and down so that there are no large holes through the wall of your fire pit.
  • Avoid making your grill too tall. You will not be able to see your fire, it will be less stable, and your grill grate will be too far from the source of heat.
  • Buy a screen mesh cover for your fire pit. It will help prevent flying embers from escaping your fire and is more safe.
  • If you are using smaller bricks or making a very large fire pit, consider reinforcing the wall with a second ring of bricks or cinder blocks around the first for added stability.

Warnings

  • Safety note! Never build a fire pit or start a fire near flammable materials or on a flammable surface. I recommend your grill is at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} from structures and there are no overhanging branches which can catch fire. Check with your local zoning laws regarding outdoor fires before building a fire pit. Use protective hand and eye gear when building any fire to avoid injury.
  • Avoid using soaked-wet bricks or stones. They might explode if the water inside expands because of the heat.

Things You'll Need

  • A pile of large bricks or cinder blocks
  • A round grill grate
  • Round piece of heat-proof sheet metal (optional)
  • A few large stones

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Sources and Citations

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