All About Built In Barbecue Pits

While you could buy a simple portable kettle grill to heed the call of the charcoal, there’s something alluring about a built-in masonry grill. These structures not only accent the patio, providing a focal point and creating a gathering spot, but also are ideal for feeding a crowd because they typically have more grilling space than your standard-size rollaway. Plus, they’re durable and weather resistant, don’t need to be stored, and have a warmer feel than outdoor kitchens glinting with stainless-steel surfaces. Building a simple barbecue pit is a relatively easy job and likely to cost less than a fancy new gas grill. With the right tools, materials, and a little skill, you can put together a basic brick barbecue in a weekend.

Grill Maintenance 101

So whether you build your own or hire a pro, think about firing up one of these backyard barbecues this summer and standing, Tom Collins in hand, admiring the glow and taking a moment away from your packed schedule to appreciate your family, your friends, and your life.

Anatomy of a Simple Brick BBQ

Firebox: The inner wall of the barbecue may be lined with fire brick—called refractory brick and made of fire clay—for added heat retention. Grill grate: Choose rustproof, porcelain-coated cast iron or stainless steel. Can be supported by angle irons or brick ledges. Base: A 3- to 4-inch-thick pad of fiber-reinforced concrete over a 3- to 4-inch base of tamped crushed stone provides stability. Solid-brick walls: These are finished on top with header and stretcher borders. Charcoal/ash pan: A solid-metal sheet holds fuel and simplifies ash removal. Space it 7 to 15 inches below the cooking surface.

BBQ Design in Action

The higher back and side walls on this barbecue, designed and built by Brookwood Landscape and Stonework, reduce the risk of flying sparks. Thinner, elongated inside walls ease side access to the grates during cooking.

Barbecue Pit: What You Need to Know

How much will it cost?

A simple three-sided 24"W by 24"D by 30"H brick grill on a 4-inch concrete pad will run about $500 for DIY materials. Prices go up from there, depending on materials and style.

DIY or hire a pro?

If you’ve got basic bricklaying skills, a strong back, and some good buddies, go for it (blackknightdirect.co.uk offers kits that include plans and grates from $175, shipping included). You may want to hire a pro for complicated masonry.

Where to put it?

Determine which way the prevailing winds blow, and site the barbecue so that the smoke will blow away from the cook and the dining area. If in doubt, stake small flags in the lawn and observe.

Maintenance

Brush hot grill grates to prevent food and bacterial buildup. When they’ve cooled down, spray with vegetable oil to prevent rusting. Dispose of cold ash after each use to cut down on excess smoke and unpleasant flavors.

Barbecue Pit Material Options

Price: $ Concrete block is the least expensive option; the 4-inch-thick blocks shown here allow for a smaller footprint. Costs can rise significantly with the addition of a natural-stone or cast-stone veneer. If using the latter, be sure it’s rated for outdoor use. Lining the firebox with fire brick mortared with refractory cement will help increase heat retention.

Brick

Price: $$ Brick is a good choice because it’s handsome, it retains heat well, and, as a fire-hardened material, it doesn’t readily break down when exposed to the elements. Look for “facing bricks,” which are both a structural and a finish material; the ones shown here have recesses that hold mortar. Achieving uniform courses may require above-average DIY skill.

Stone

Price: $$$ Quarried stone, such as the “rounds” shown here, is the most “natural” choice and, like brick, is good at retaining heat. Expect to spend considerable time selecting, shaping, and fitting stones together. Plan to have extra material on hand; how much depends on the type of stone. Ask your stone yard to determine the overage you’ll need.

BBQ Safety Tips

Check local codes regarding open flames, especially in areas prone to brush fires. The barbecue must be located in an open area at least 10 feet from buildings, combustible overhead surfaces, and brush. Before disposing of ash, allow coals to burn out completely and wait 48 hours. Wrap cold ashes in heavy-duty aluminum foil and place in a noncombustible container.

Barbecue Pit Additions

Adjustable grate

Argentine-style “gaucho grills” feature a recessed firebox with a heavy-duty grate that has a cranking mechanism to raise and lower it over hot coals, regulating the heat. These products can be pricey; consider having one made by a metalworker, starting around $700.

Grill-smoker combo

This cylindrical smoker—made from a brick-clad concrete drainpipe—is fueled by a fire pit that becomes a campfire-style grill with the addition of a grate (grategrates.com offers custom ones, starting at about $170).

Fireplace grill

Want to build a “wow” outdoor feature? Start with a precast fireplace kit, line it with fire brick, and clad it with stone veneer (fogazzo.com has kits, starting at $2,000). Then turn it into a cooking hearth by adding angle irons to hold a grill grate.

BBQ Fuel Options

Fast-lighting briquettes are convenient, but we prefer these chemical-free options for fueling up:

Natural briquettes

Their lower burn rate provides the most control over heat while cooking, and a higher carbon content makes briquettes an easy grilling fuel to light.

Hardwood lump charcoal

These irregular chunks of carbonized wood burn clean, fast, and hot, creating a 600°F or hotter wall of heat that produces a crisp char.

Hardwood logs

The old-school campfire method adds lots of smoky flavor. Use dry, well-cured woods, such as fruitwood, hickory, or mesquite, and allow 45 minutes for logs to burn down to embers.

Must-have BBQ Tools

Chimney Starter (MOST IMPORTANT): The easiest way by far to light charcoal is with a metal chimney starter. Fill the space under the wire rack at the bottom with wadded-up newspaper and the metal cylinder at the top with briquettes. Light from below. When the briquettes are lightly covered with white ash, pour onto lower grate. Tongs: Select extra-long ones for safety. GrillPro 20-inch Professional Extra Long, about $15; ebay.com Instant-read meat thermometer: We chose this one for its longer probe, which helps keep hands far from flames. Chef’s Drawer, about $11; amazon.com Grill brush: A removable scrubby pad makes quick work of cleaning gunk from grates. Tool Wizard Grill Brush Scrubber, about $13; toolwizard.com Spatula: A serrated stainless-steel edge helps release burgers from the grill for a clean flip. OXO Good Grips BBQ Turner, $11; oxo.com Mitt: Look for one that can withstand at least 475°F. Pit Mitt Barbecue Grill Glove, about $20; chefs.com

Tips for Grilling

Jamie Purviance, chef, and author of Weber’s Big Book of Burgers (2014), shares tips—and a great recipe—to turn you into a grilling guru.

Meat “doneness” temperatures

Rare: 120°F-125°F Medium-rare: 130°F-135°F Medium: 140°F-145°F Medium-well: 150°F-155°F Well-done: 160°F-165°F

Two Ways to Gauge Heat

An Instagram-worthy burger starts with ideal cooking temps. Burgers need medium-high direct heat to get a charred crust and medium doneness, while buns should be toasted in a cooler, indirect zone of the grill. Here are two methods for assessing the heat.

Hand test

Hold your outstretched palm an inch or two above the upper grill grate. The length of time you can stand the heat tells how hot the grill is.

Eye test

Resources

Featured in this article:

Landscaping: Jason Morey and Mark Simonds Red-and-white rug: dashandalbert.com Red flower pots: homedepot.com