Brick smoker - Compete how to

wes w · Jan 1, 2013

Thank you Dave. I really didn't think it was anything special till I got on the forum. I appreciate all the kind words.

The fatty wasn't very pretty. It was my first one.

IMG_0005.jpg-1.jpg

wes w
Jan 1, 2013

Fatties going in.

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wes w
Jan 1, 2013

End results. Into the frig. till morning.

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wes w
Jan 1, 2013

Bacon, egg, american, pepper jack cheese.

Got up early, made biscuits, warmed fatty up to 140 in oven. It was really good.

Learned a lot making this one. It ain't pretty, but it sure was good!

daveomak · Jan 1, 2013

Wes...... Some folks think "pretty" makes good food.... That "you eat, first, with your eyes"..... Maybe in New York but not in Omak... I see bacon, eggs, cheese and sausage... That about does it... I'm hungry now....

wes w · Jan 1, 2013

Your right Dave. When my dear Mother used to make cakes, they were so moist they would fall apart or slide off the plate. She always said it didn't matter what it looks like, as long as it taste good.

Well sir, it is time to eat..... I'm thinking some more of that fatty :-)

Hope you have a great day!

Wes

bigfoote · Jan 1, 2013

Dave's right, it doesn't get old looking at your smoker. Hope you had a Merry Christmas, and have a Happy New Year!

wes w · Jan 1, 2013

Thanks you bigfoote

beef77 · Jan 28, 2013

Sweet build Wes. I myself was a mason for ten years. I haven't picked my tools up in about six years though. I'm seriously throwing around the idea of building one out of brick. If you don't mind me asking about how much you have wrapped up in it? Just the materials? Any input would be much appreciated.

michael ark · Jan 28, 2013

That's one sweet smoker.

wes w · Jan 29, 2013

beef77 said:
Sweet build Wes. I myself was a mason for ten years. I haven't picked my tools up in about six years though. I'm seriously throwing around the idea of building one out of brick. If you don't mind me asking about how much you have wrapped up in it? Just the materials? Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks beef,

I had laid a few block for myself before, but never brick. It was an interesting project. My brother made a living laying brick for about 25 years. He gave me a lot of pointers and no help... :-)

The brick I had from our 1907 house. We tore down the chimney when we remolded in 2000.    My project also included the fireplace. Totally brick were around 1300, plus fill. I used common for fill.

I pored the footing 13in. thick double run rebar on 1 ft. grid.    Better safe then sorry. Overkill, maybe. But that's something you can't go back and fix.

My brother also built my doors, damper and shelves in his fab shop. It was free, but wasn't sure he would ever get them done.... I couldn't start the smoker without the doors.   So I bugged the hell out of him till he got them done. :-)

Total cost I would guess to be around $1500.00. For both fireplace and smoker.

I think I had around maybe 350 - 400 brick in the smoker. Not sure how many firebrick. Some I had from a fireplace tear down at work. I started the base of the smoker with 8" block and stepped them in to 6 once over the firebox. I left about 2in. expansion on the sides of the smoke chamber and about 1" in back.

If I were building another one. I'd make it at least 4 to 6 in. wider.

This is probably more then you wanted, but I just kinda got to rambling. If you have any questions I'd be more then glad to help anyway I can.

My run down pretty much covers the basics of my build. With your working knowledge of brick work it would be simple for you to build.

Thanks for the kind words Michael.

beef77 · Jan 30, 2013

Thanks Wes

wes w · Jan 30, 2013

Your welcome beef

I did a rack of rib the past week-end. The ribs need some work. I'm going to change my rub and see whats happened. Got some great advice here.

It was in the 20's and damp.

IMG_0201-1.jpg

wes w
Jan 30, 2013
1

atcnick · Jan 30, 2013

Man that's awesome! My puny lil brick firebox was hard enough to build, can't imagine this work if art ! Nice job!

-Nick

wes w · Jan 31, 2013

Thanks Nick. It was an interesting challenge.

wes w · Feb 10, 2013

I took a picture today while I had the rack out of my smoker.

It shows in detail how I baffled the bottom over the firebox. It can be adjusted to however much heat you need or don't need coming through. I use a large foil pan as a water pan to cover the middle.

IMG_0301.JPG

wes w
Feb 10, 2013

pjnla · Feb 11, 2013

good evening,

where did you get your doors? did you make them or have them made? i am getting to the point where i need to get my doors and frames secured.

pj

wes w · Feb 11, 2013

pj,

My brother made all the metal works for this project.   The frames are 3" angle 1/4 thick. Doors are 1/4" thick.

Something he did to help secure the frame in the masonry was on every other run of brick he welded a flange that could be mortared into the brick joint.   There's really no way the frame will ever get lose.

The 3" angle also serves as the lintel over the top of the doors.

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask

Wes

pjnla · Feb 12, 2013

you know, that 3" angle is a great idea. i emailed some specs to a fabricator today and included your suggestions. we will see if he wants an arm and a leg for it. in LA this is considered specialty work, so we will see. i will keep you posted and maybe share some pics as i go if i get up the nerve.

pj

wes w · Feb 12, 2013

PJ, I have no idea what it would have cost if I had went to a fabricator.   My brother has a fab. shop so I just hit him up for them.   I told him what I wanted the openings to be and he done it from there. He layed brick for about 20 years so he knew where to weld the flanges to where they would be on brick work.

I'd love to see your pictures!   Please share anything you have.

If you have any questions please ask. If theres something you would like to see in the build, thats not pictured, theres a good chance I have a picture of it. I didn't post all of them, just the ones I felt important.

Keep us posted on how its going.   You could start your own thread to document it.

There's not a lot of info on the web about brick smokers.   Everyone has new ideas. Please share for others to learn.

Wes

eugene lorman · Feb 18, 2013

Wes,

Any way you can share the plans for this build? My dad and I wanted to do something similar in his back yard and I really like your design. Anything you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Eugene

wes w · Feb 18, 2013

Eugene,

I really didn't have anything on paper.    I looked at what I thought would be a good base and when from there.   My pictures pretty much document the build. I have a lot more photos on file. If theres a part of the build you have a question about, theres a good chance I have a picture of it..

There's not a lot of info on the web about brick smokers.   I'm not sure what to tell you that's not in the review.   If you have particular questions please ask. I'm more then willing to answer any question you might have. You can PM me on FB too if you like. Thanks for joining my page.

Not sure why we can't have a brick smoker group here. Guess there's not enough interest in the art and craft of smoking the old fashion way.

Are you interested in the fireplace and smoker or just the smoker?

If you have any questions please ask.

Wes

gardi · Feb 21, 2013

Wow very impressive build, but my question to you is this - Does your wife know that your sweetheart lives in the backyard? lol

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