Sparky - Phase I
This past weekend we visited my dear uncle, aunt, and their clan in South Carolina. Two of my cousins, who are impressively talented at fabricating buildings (as well as being fine folks all around), whipped up a barbecue pit from plywood and other odds and ends and sat up all night babysitting roasting pig parts.
The alchemy was present, their efforts were fruitful, and the pig was turned into amazingly delicious, perfectly slow-smoked barbecue.
This got me to thinking that I should work towards realizing my dream of a functional backyard barbecue pit -- nothing elaborate or even permanent. Just something that I can use more easily than my aging CharGriller to smoke up a shoulder or four. I had not intended to go public with this project in case I lost either my initiative or fortitude. But my dear wife outed me on both Instagram and Facebook. So, I might as well document my progress here.
Monday I sat down with my graph paper and did a little research. I came up with a design for a modest little pit that I thought might work; I dubbed her "Sparky".
Sparky will have an offset firebox and a cooking surface of approximately 32" x 24". The structure will be made of cinder blocks, which will be just set in place, leveled with sand; no mortar.
Monday afternoon I staked out a spot in the backyard for Sparky. I cleared the brush from the ground and began to dig a trench to level out a footer for the first course. The yard slopes pretty nicely, so that turned out to be more work than I expected. I got it about half way finished by Monday evening.
Tuesday after work I picked up my spade again and finished leveling out the footer. I had three cinder blocks at hand and used them to measure off the perimeter and level the surface all the way around. Miraculously, I managed to get it level on the first try by leaving one block in place at one corner and stair-stepping the others around the rectangle. When I closed the loop and everything fit snugly and was reasonably level, Josh and I cheered.
I cleared out the step down terrace for the firebox and called it a night.
I'm pretty happy with my progress. So far, I have one busted blister on one hand, a few achy joints (particularly the elbows), and some nicks and bruises on my legs. And I've sweated a fair amount. That's not a bad thing.
I'm ready for a load of cinder blocks, some sand, and a few fire bricks. Then the fun really begins.
The alchemy was present, their efforts were fruitful, and the pig was turned into amazingly delicious, perfectly slow-smoked barbecue.
This got me to thinking that I should work towards realizing my dream of a functional backyard barbecue pit -- nothing elaborate or even permanent. Just something that I can use more easily than my aging CharGriller to smoke up a shoulder or four. I had not intended to go public with this project in case I lost either my initiative or fortitude. But my dear wife outed me on both Instagram and Facebook. So, I might as well document my progress here.
Monday I sat down with my graph paper and did a little research. I came up with a design for a modest little pit that I thought might work; I dubbed her "Sparky".
Sparky will have an offset firebox and a cooking surface of approximately 32" x 24". The structure will be made of cinder blocks, which will be just set in place, leveled with sand; no mortar.
Monday afternoon I staked out a spot in the backyard for Sparky. I cleared the brush from the ground and began to dig a trench to level out a footer for the first course. The yard slopes pretty nicely, so that turned out to be more work than I expected. I got it about half way finished by Monday evening.
Tuesday after work I picked up my spade again and finished leveling out the footer. I had three cinder blocks at hand and used them to measure off the perimeter and level the surface all the way around. Miraculously, I managed to get it level on the first try by leaving one block in place at one corner and stair-stepping the others around the rectangle. When I closed the loop and everything fit snugly and was reasonably level, Josh and I cheered.
I cleared out the step down terrace for the firebox and called it a night.
I'm pretty happy with my progress. So far, I have one busted blister on one hand, a few achy joints (particularly the elbows), and some nicks and bruises on my legs. And I've sweated a fair amount. That's not a bad thing.
I'm ready for a load of cinder blocks, some sand, and a few fire bricks. Then the fun really begins.