Recent content by MPustka
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M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
Worth mentioning - Because the plan was to cook with the heat source placed around the perimeter of the pit and not in the middle of the pit, I created a sort of curb or edge with old chopped limestone pieces 6-9" away from the perimeter walls so that when I needed to load the perimeter with... -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
Not a Boar's Head, just a 60th birthday. Its interesting because our new church celebrates Boar's Head and I'd never heard of it. Thanks again for your help Bill. Really appreciated. Did you see the openings on the sides that I fed coals through with a piece of "C" channel? -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
BRINE RECIPE (Broken Arrow Ranch) 4 gallons + 12 gallons water 15 cups table salt for 20 gallons water. For a basic brine combine ¾ cup table salt (dissolves easier than kosher salt) per gallon of water. 6 oranges, halved 2 lemons, halved 2 bulbs garlic 4 Bay Leaves In a large pot add 4 gallons... -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
Roast was a big success. Brined it, dried it and then applied kosher salt on skin, and rub on inside. Took 7.5 hours to cook, then tin foiled it and kept it warm for 4 hours at 200 degrees on the pit. More details to come but thanks to all that helped me figure this out along the way! -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
Bill thank you. Whether you've built one or not, your thoughts on the subject make sense to me. I'm going to rebuild, and test out this approach and see how it burns / meets temperature. Another question I've been pondering is a "pre-heat" of the pit. When I tested it out before with coals... -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
Very likely that I'm over planning and complicating. But I've never done it, I don't want to mess it up in front of 50+ friends and family and I find the details of the pit build and how to maximize its effectiveness very helpful. At least makes me think I'm less likely to screw up. I also... -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
Bill, I really appreciate the help. What you are describing makes sense and is buildable which I appreciate. A few questions/clarifications: Side 1 would have 2 sideways bricks right next to each other. I'd cut a 4x4 into 3 4" lengths to use as plugs in UP TO THREE of the holes to throttle... -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
I'm not sure what is considered air intake vs air exhaust. This is what I'm thinking along with a way to add your suggested rain gutters along the inside long walls. -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
My plan is a roast and not a smoke so I'm stepping away from the fire box idea. I like the idea though of feeding the fire from steel rain gutter material run down the sides. If I went this route with the steel rain gutter I suppose I could just turn one or two blocks per side to open the... -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
When you say, "That's the big advantage to building a firebox outside your pit", I'm assuming you mean burn pit outside your pit to keep coals and embers burning for when you need them? -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
Bill, thanks for the feedback. There is a same sized opening on the opposite end of the pit as the one shown in the picture. What is your recommendation for accessing the pit to add fuel? My shovel isn't long enough, and the opening wasn't big enough so I enlarged the opening and was... -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
Thank you. Those are good ideas that should help and make it easier. I'm assuming I'd need to move the firebox opening and the chimney opening to the middle of each side to better function? What size firebox? If the opening is 16" wide and I added a couple of concrete blocks to make the... -
M
Whole Hog Cinder Block Build / Function Questions
Still experimenting. Had to make some modifications. Opening wasn't big enough to feed the fire so I doubled the height of the opening on each end. Notice the first two layers of CMU are stacked and then the top two are staggered. Didn't have to cut any of the block and the physics on the...
