I started this smoker back in the summer 2012 and finished it mid-January 2012. I had never laid bricks before, so I spend quite a bit of time researching, watching videos of brick-layers and praying.
I used my Dremel tool to engrave the last names of me and my wife's family names on the solid bricks. The firebox is double-insulated between the exterior bricks and these old solid bricks from my grandfather's old fireplace.
This was one of the more tricky portions of the build. Once the arch was dry, the temporary wood frame was removed.
Whew! It didn't fall.
This expanded metal is not actually cooked on. I put 1/2" James Hardy board over this from edge to edge except for a 6" x 14" rectangle near the front. All of the heat from the fire comes up through this opening and enters the "smoke box". This keeps ask from floating up onto the meat and keeps drippings off of the fire. Another sheet of expanded metal was put above the door and another sheet of James Hardy board went on top of it. This time, the opening is in the back of the smoke box, so the heat travels across the food completely due to the draw.
I have some angle iron for the tray (made out of angle iron too) that holds the cast iron cooking grates (borrowed from my old grill) can slide out to more easily access the food.
I do have a rack of expanded metal that is stationary. It is 24" deep x 32" wide. The bottom tray (19" wide x 40" deep) will slide out allowing me to add sauce to the food as needed.
I had fun with this pattern.
I got this used Fire Magic grill for free from my BIL. It was quite rusty, but lots of elbow grease cleaned it up and it cooks nicely.
If money was no object, I would have had granite installed. Money was an object, so I formed and then poured a 3" rebar-reinforced concrete countertop (again, after tons of watching video).
The firewood storage side will get the side-burner in case I ever decide to boil some peanuts, warm some BBQ sauce, etc.
I placed another piece of JH board to serve as a chimney cap. This keeps any rain out should a shower pop up.
The grill is 4' x 8' x 10' high.
I am so glad to be done building and now learning to smoke quality food from either the gas grill or the smoker. What a hobby!
I used my Dremel tool to engrave the last names of me and my wife's family names on the solid bricks. The firebox is double-insulated between the exterior bricks and these old solid bricks from my grandfather's old fireplace.
This was one of the more tricky portions of the build. Once the arch was dry, the temporary wood frame was removed.
Whew! It didn't fall.
This expanded metal is not actually cooked on. I put 1/2" James Hardy board over this from edge to edge except for a 6" x 14" rectangle near the front. All of the heat from the fire comes up through this opening and enters the "smoke box". This keeps ask from floating up onto the meat and keeps drippings off of the fire. Another sheet of expanded metal was put above the door and another sheet of James Hardy board went on top of it. This time, the opening is in the back of the smoke box, so the heat travels across the food completely due to the draw.
I have some angle iron for the tray (made out of angle iron too) that holds the cast iron cooking grates (borrowed from my old grill) can slide out to more easily access the food.
I do have a rack of expanded metal that is stationary. It is 24" deep x 32" wide. The bottom tray (19" wide x 40" deep) will slide out allowing me to add sauce to the food as needed.
I had fun with this pattern.
I got this used Fire Magic grill for free from my BIL. It was quite rusty, but lots of elbow grease cleaned it up and it cooks nicely.
If money was no object, I would have had granite installed. Money was an object, so I formed and then poured a 3" rebar-reinforced concrete countertop (again, after tons of watching video).
The firewood storage side will get the side-burner in case I ever decide to boil some peanuts, warm some BBQ sauce, etc.
I placed another piece of JH board to serve as a chimney cap. This keeps any rain out should a shower pop up.
The grill is 4' x 8' x 10' high.
I am so glad to be done building and now learning to smoke quality food from either the gas grill or the smoker. What a hobby!
