How to Build a Mobile BBQ Pit

If you appreciate the taste of barbecued meat, whether it be chicken, beef or pork, then you understand the importance of having a good-quality barbecue pit. Barbecue pits are essentially large ovens or grills that not only cook the meat, but smoke it as well. They can be expensive. However, it is possible to build your own mobile barbecue pit with common materials and minimal investment.

Things You'll Need

• Drill
• Food-grade 55-gallon steel drum
• Metal cooking grates
• Metal basket
• 1/2-inch bolts

Instructions

1. Light a large fire inside the barrel. Allow the fire to burn off any residue from the inside of the barrel.

2. Drill several holes in the barrel's lid for exhaust vents.

3. Drill three holes around the barrel's perimeter two feet from the bottom. Insert three 1/2-inch bolts to act as a platform for one of your barbecue pit grates.

4. Drill three holes in the perimeter of the barrel 6-inches above the first smoker grate as a second platform.

5. Drill 4 four holes in the bottom section to allow air flow into your charcoal.

6. Load the metal basket with charcoal and light it. Place the basket into the bottom of the can, load meat onto the two grates and put the lid on the barrel. Allow the meat to cook.

Tips & Warnings

• Drill one more hole in the barrel and install a thermometer in order to monitor the inside temperature of the barbecue pit while cooking.

References

• Informative guide to building homemade smokers

Resources

• Lowes carries many of the needed materials