Brick smoker - Compete how to

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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.  


Brother , that is a smoker/fireplace anyone would be proud to have in their yard. What an accomplishment . I'm sure it functions perfectly , but it's also a work of art. Amazing.
 
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.  

Brother , that is a smoker/fireplace anyone would be proud to have in their yard. What an accomplishment . I'm sure it functions perfectly , but it's also a work of art. Amazing.
Thank you Hambone.   It has served me well.
I'm going to do a dry run just to get a feel for holding heat. 
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Albe, your link can't be found. 
 
Nice smokehouse... I am a masson,,, do you have a plan.. i don't want a buy a smokehouse. I want to make one... with briks...not wood... and yours is very sharp

Stéphan
 
Thanks sak.

No plan.  Just started with the base I thought was big enough and started up with it.    It could have been a little bigger, but it works well as is.
 
Ok, so I am new to this so sorry if this a stupid question.  What are all the blocks for in the ground?  Is that just because your ground was doff and sandy?  If I build one on concrete do I still need that much of a base?
 
Ok, so I am new to this so sorry if this a stupid question.  What are all the blocks for in the ground?  Is that just because your ground was doff and sandy?  If I build one on concrete do I still need that much of a base?
That is a foundation to prevent frost heave and tipping the smoke house off kilter...  

I don't know what the smoker weighs, I would guess 3 tons.....   How close am I Wes ???
 
Sorry guys I've been away due to a lost family member.

Weld, you must have a good foundation to build something like this. Dave I would say at least 3 ton. The foundation is 13in. thick with a double run of 1/2in. rebar.  The reason for all the block was to bring it up to the height I wanted the hearth to be.   The foundation must be at least 16in under ground to get under the freeze line in my area.  Check with your local building code and see how deep you need to be in your area to get under the frost line.    Like Dave said, if it freezes under the concrete it will tip the smoker and soften the ground. 

Yes you can build right off the concrete, if you have the height you want.

No such thing as stupid  questions.  Thats how we learn.
 
Ha ha   There's no secret.  Low and slow.  I have used a Char-Griller smoker for years.  My trick is Kingford or hot wood coals for best flavor.  I've used apple and hickory wood.  I can't tell that much difference in wood.   I have used gas in the past.  It kinda takes the fun out of smoking.  To me gas is like cheating.  Your baking it with fake smoke.  That's just me though.   I'm hoping this brick smoker works as good as I expect.   Sauce.  Not sure if you can find it up north or not, but there a BBQ joint in SC  that puts there sauce in grocery stores.  Its called Sticky Fingers.  They have about 4 different ones.   I'm not big on the vinegar base sauces.  I like the sweet sauce.  Just personal taste.  A good rub doesn't need sauce.   Jeff's rub is awesome!  A little spicy for me, but he was kind enough to tell me how to take the hot out of it.  Also McCormick's pork rub is also very good.   For a sweet glaze I like to mix brown sugar with the McCormick's pork rub.  Pork butts at 225 for 11 hours.   Once it reaches 160 I usually  cover it to keep it from drying out.  Keep lots or water or apple juice under it.  Uncover it for the last hour.  Let rest for an hour wrapped in foil and towels.   Drop it on the cutting board and it practically falls apart.  Have lots of good friends and beer on hand.   Everyone has there own trick for smoking, that's the basics of the way I do it.  

Ok, a bit of rambling there, sorry.

Wes
 
Using gas is "fake" smoke?   My smoker can use wood, charcoal or gas for the heating source but i'm pretty much hooked on using the gas. I get steady temps, i have a cast iron pan over a turkey fryer burner for my wood chunks and if i want more smoke i use my smoke daddy to pump more in. When i use my Smoke Daddy i put in charcoal and different kinds of wood chips, imo you can't get more authentic than that for smoke. 
 
FWI,  didn't mean any disrespect.   There are times I wish I had something I could set and walk away from.   

Well, I suppose spring finally got here.  Now  if we could get the rain to slow down a bit.  :-)

Finally got the woodshed built.  

 
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That a postcard picture Wes....  What a great place to sit and relax.... 

Dave
that's a great shot. really puts it in perspective.
If it ever stops raining it will be very enjoyable.    It was actually raining when I took the picture.  

Next project is deck area or brick oven.    My be a while though.

Thanks you for the kind words. 
 
guess that's the trade off then....you get cheap wood and snow and rain. and i get plenty of sunshine and good weather but wood costs me a fortune!! LOL
 
I've never been to Cali.   Our youngest son is at 29 Palms now training.  He's not liking it to good.  He says its around 110 in the daytime.   I think I'll stick with the 70's and rain..  :-)
 
Hell, no one wants to be in 29 Palms!!! its 105 at night!! He military? Thats the only people out there!! LOL. Tell him to come south a bit. Anywhere around LA or tell him to go down to San Diego and hang out with the Navy folks. They livign good down there. Thats the place to be.
 
Yeah, he's a Marine set to deploy in late July.   Not sure he would get along with the Navy folk.   He's stationed on east coast.  They do desert training at 29 Palms.    Wow,  105 at night.  He did make the comment he has never sweated so much in his life....
 
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