Materials
54 concrete blocks 16" x 8" x 8" (actually 15.75 x 7.75 x 7.75"). Cost about $54.
4 x 8' sheet of 1/4" plywood, cut down to about 44 x 60". Cost about $10
3 lengths of 48" each of 3/8" rebar. Cost about $5 per 10' bar, 2 bars needed.
Non-climbable uncoated fence wire or rabbit wire at least 14 gauge, 4 x 5'. Cost about $30 for a 50' roll.
2 boards 1" x 2" x 6' each. Cost about $2
100 bare wire loop ties, 6" each. Cost about $2.50.
3 disposable aluminum water pans. Cost about $12.
2 pieces light weight sheet metal for dampers, about 20" x 10" each. Cost about $15.

Optional
Buy more rebar to pound from the top down into the ground to prevent the blocks from shifting
Mortar to lock the blocks permanently into place.
Light weight sheet metal for lining the lid, about 28" x 44". Cost about $30.

Tools
Fire extinguisher
Wire cutter
Level
Hack saw
Hammer
Chisel
Utility stapler and plenty of staples
Wheel barrow, steel drum, or charcoal grill to start coals
Shovel
Garden hose or buckets of water or fire extinguisher
Good digital oven thermometer

The pit
Keep the pit at least 10' from buildings and overhanging trees in case there is a grease fire. Keep a fire extinguisher rated for grease on hand. Fire extinguishers rated ABC are filled with can handle most everything except combustible metals. Beware, they contain a yellow powder that can damage electrical devices.

Clear a base that is 4' x 5' by removing grass and prepare an all dirt or sand base at least 2" thick. You will need to discard some of it when you are done because fat and meat drippings will get in the dirt and the dogs will roll in it and it will attract insects, mice, you name it. If needed, you can buy sand at a hardware store. If you wish, you can line the pit with aluminum foil or put disposable aluminum roasting pans on the bottom. I recommend that you put roasting pans under the hog and fill them with water to add humidity to the pit, so you could just get more.

Make sure the ground is level. Stack the concrete blocks 4 rows high, 3 full lengths and then turn one block on each course, staggering the blocks so they overlap as in the illustration.

Put the rebar on top of the fourth course of blocks. Make notches in the blocks with a hammer and chisel so the next course of blocks will lie flat on the course below. Don't put the top course of blocks on until you place the hog and stretcher on the rebar.

The cover
You can use a sheet of plywood for the cover if you are really careful to prevent grease fires. If you wish, you can line the underside with sheets of aluminum or steel, or just use a metal top instead of the plywood.

The stretcher
To carry the hog and hold it in place on the pit, you need to build a stretcher, with two poles for the stretcher bearers, and a wire mesh sling in between for the hog. Non-climbable fence wire is heavier gauge and sturdier than chicken wire. You can use chicken wire for but it would be a good idea to use two layers. Make sure the wire is not coated with plastic.

Make a sling of the wire wide enough to hang over the edges of the pit by at least 1' on either side. Attach two 6' lengths of 1" x 2" boards for handles with staples and reinforce them with the wire loop ties. These are 6" lengths of precut wire that are easy to wrap around the handles.

This page was revised 9/24/2010