Hello from London England!-need help with my first brick pit

Raylan SE3 · Joined: 26 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

Hi there guys, this is my first post on here, I was hoping that I could get some advice on building my first semi permanent cinder block smoke pit.

Have found a few articles and videos on line

http://metromag.com/article/restaurants/food-finds/how-build-your-own-smoker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FcTamq3OAE

I have been bbqing for a few years now and want to make the first step on doing this properly. the problem is its almost impossible to buy a good smoker here and I dont have the skills to weld and build one on my own. this method seams to be the easiest and most cost effective way of doing it.

I would just like some general advice and tips on what to do for this method, the way shown in the video seams quite straight forward, but doesnt give any advice on the cooking part. Whats the best way to monitor the temp etc?

I really appreciate any advice that you can give, maybe there are sites out there that can show me more, I haven't been able to find them yet

Oh Im not going to be doing whole hog just yet, this will be for brisket, beef ribs and pork shoulder.

Thank you very much for you time.
Very Happy

k.a.m. · Posted: Wed Jun 27 12 11:05 am Post subject:

Welcome to the ring Raylan SE3, looking forward to seeing some pics of yor cooks and following your cooker project. Smile

Monitoring the temps can be done with analog therms in your doors like these.
http://www.teltru.com/s-141-anodized-aluminum-dial.aspx

Or you can monitor actual grate temps with oven grate thermometers like these.
Oven grate therm

You can also go digital dual probe with a Maverick .
http://www.maverickhousewares.com/et73.htm
http://www.maverickhousewares.com/et732.htm
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Reverse Flow
Hybrid Cooker

Raylan SE3 · Joined: 26 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

thanks for the reply, as I thought, I was going to go with 4 oven grate therms to get accurate reading of the grill in all areas.

I happen to be a grill chef by trade, so I understand building a fire from coal wood etc.

Anything else you can recommend as far as the build goes. In that video he uses metal for the cover, is this necessary? Ive heard other people doing it with ply wood.

also Im going to order a few more blocks so I can have the choice of an open or closed end.

Raylan SE3 · Joined: 26 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

ok Ive ordered the blocks.

I just need advice on exactly what kind of expanded steal to use for the grill. there are so many different variables.

Is there an ideal shape and size of the mesh that is used for bbq?

patruns · Posted: Wed Jun 27 12 2:29 pm Post subject:

Where is Chuckie? He has a thread on an epic build here somewhere....
_________________
Pat

Char-Griller Outlaw with SFB
Weber Smokey Joe
LIAR#49

SoEzzy · Posted: Wed Jun 27 12 5:52 pm Post subject:

If you use some flat bar to hold up the middle or in 1/3rds, use some flat expanded metal, I like #9 3/4" over the top and it wont sag too much.
_________________
JM2C, BWTFDIK, YMMV, MDN! Wink

I work here!

NAVET · Posted: Sun Jul 01 12 1:11 am Post subject:

http://www.ibiblio.org/lineback/bbq/wdh.htm

Is this your goal?
_________________
AD1 (AW) Ret

I wonder if you can smoke a cheese steak?
Competitive BBQ; The only sport where a fat, bald man can be looked upon as a hero.

Raylan SE3 · Joined: 26 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4jscIufsFE

sorry i cant seem to embed it.

this is my first little go.

Im still waiting for the roof, metal here is a pain it seems plus the weather here is awful.

k.a.m. · Posted: Wed Jul 18 12 12:33 am Post subject:

Raylan SE3, I am impressed. Very Happy

The cooker looks awesome as is and the Que your producing shows it. Very Happy

I would gladly have a plate of anything I saw in the video. Nicely done my man. Very Happy

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Reverse Flow
Hybrid Cooker

GF · Posted: Wed Jul 18 12 1:14 am Post subject:

Raylan SE 3, outstanding. Very Happy

Both the cooker and the food look great, looking forward to seeing more. Cool

Raylan SE3 · Joined: 26 Jun 2012 Posts: 5

thank you guys, I appreciate your words of encouragement.

Im still waiting for the roof as we speak, hoping it comes by Friday as the weather is meant to be good at last.

im looking to take off the top layer when it arrives, for ribs and small stuff i dont think its efficient with all that space.

although with a proper metal roof, it will make a big difference i think.