A long time ago we spent a summer in our aunt's cabin in the mountains. We expected it to be just a few hours visit since for city-slickers like us what els is there to do? Just a few hours turned out to be an overnight stay, not that we were stuck there, we really enjoyed a lot. The numerous "gadgets" that we'd thought that mountain cabin was lacking would really put a damper on enjoying a family mini-gathering. Our Aunt proposed a cook-out, helping set up at the outside table I was wondering where the barbecue was at…then I see my Aunt pushing this wheel barrow…my brother had this goofy smile and told me that the barrow was our barbecue grill/rotisserie/coal cooking thingamajig. I was amazed, the Portable Barbecue was made by our tiny and comely aunt. It was great to see her face light up when she explained "it really is simple"…

Making an all around barbecue that will handle 3 (grilling, rotisserie, spitfire) cooking techniques starts with an extra wheel barrow or metal kids wagon. a few bricks and gravel or sand. The cost is minimal, it is movable and this is something that can be added to any family gathering.

Fill the wheel barrow with six inches deep of sand and gravel, this is to act as an insulation of your barrow from heat. If given a choice my Aunt uses gravel since it allows air to circulate better, making a good cooking fire.

To make the grill, the bricks are placed on opposite sides or the wheel barrow. Stack the bricks according to the height you need to cook. To complete it, place the grilling rack atop the bricks. Cookie racks are ideal for this barbecue, grills from a refrigerator rack is coated with harmful chemicals making it a major DON'T. Spray the rack with non-stick cooking spray for easy cleaning. No cementing the bricks please! Stacking the bricks or removing the bricks regulate the heat you need for grilling. Normal brick height is four inches above the coals. Be sure to use completely dry bricks, since wet bricks cracks and explode.

To make a rotisserie use bricks with holes in its center. Stack it about four inches deep on opposite sides at the rear of the barbecue. Insert sticks vertically in the brick's holes to keep the rotisserie bar in place. Use a wooden dowel for the rotisserie, be sure to choose one that is large enough to drill two small holes near the center of the bar (about four inches). On roasting chicken, secure the chicken to the dowel with a wire put through the two holes.

For spit, stick or charcoal cooking a two to three brick height is ideal. Just don't get too excited about piling them sticks or putting too much coal, it's never about the large amount of charcoal but the even spread of the fire/ember.

So there you have it, a Portable Barrow Barbecue! Caution though: NEVER put out the fire with water. A wet barrow will make it rust. Put away the barbecue dry and covering it with a sheet of discarded plastic table cloth. By the way this do-it-yourself barrow barbecue is not recommended for tailgating parties, it takes up space!