Brick grill and smoker build!

[Cole Leffert]

This is what the big bricks look like.

So cool.

Thanks!

[Cole Leffert]

I got a little farther today. Maybe I will be able to put up some more brick tomorrow.

[Big T]

Nice work!

[Cole Leffert]

Thanks, Big T!!

[Pete Mazz]

Lookin' good!

[Cole Leffert]

Thanks Pete!

[dacolson]

[Cole Leffert]

Thanks, dacolson!

[Cole Leffert]

I didn't have a lot of time this weekend to work on it but got a little farther.

[dacolson]

Coming along nicely, Cole.

[Big T]

[Cole Leffert]

Thanks, dacolson and Big T!

[Rodcrafter]

I always liked to see people build these block cookers. I never was willing to because of the "written in stone" idea. I always seem to think I need a way to change stuff if it doesn't work out just the way I want.

I was wondering about the smoker portion, since your going to need doors and racks and stuff have you thought about building a steel pit and putting it in like a slide in unit?

I think I would so if I want to modify it I could. I know you were talking about burning a fire in the FB, I do that in mine and have a CC just above it.
But I made the FB then added 2" of rockwool 2'000* insulation, then my CC on top of that with a 6" opening in the center that I can open or close however much I need to so not to overheat the CC.

https://imgur.com/oqfzdfs

[Cole Leffert]

I always liked to see people build these block cookers. I never was willing to because of the "written in stone" idea. I always seem to think I need a way to change stuff if it doesn't work out just the way I want.

I was wondering about the smoker portion, since your going to need doors and racks and stuff have you thought about building a steel pit and putting it in like a slide in unit?

I think I would so if I want to modify it I could. I know you were talking about burning a fire in the FB, I do that in mine and have a CC just above it.
But I made the FB then added 2" of rockwool 2'000* insulation, then my CC on top of that with a 6" opening in the center that I can open or close however much I need to so not to overheat the CC.

https://imgur.com/oqfzdfs

Thanks Rodcrafter!

Yes, I plan on making it a slide in unit. It will have an angle iron frame. The front will be steel plate with cut outs for the fb door, water pan door and cc door. I will slide it in then mortar it in around the front. If I have some real problems I could chip away the mortar around the front and slide it out and fix.

I do like your door between the fb and cc! I planned on putting in tunning plates to adjust flow and help with hot and cool spots. What do you think would be the best?

[Cole Leffert]

Finally got all the cinder block work done!

[dacolson]

Money. You gonna run that brick up all over?

[Cole Leffert]

Money. You gonna run that brick up all over?

Thanks! Yes the whole thing will be bricked! I'm thinking about tile on the work surface around the grill, that would be the only thing not brick.

[dacolson]

That would be sweet. Some of those tiled wood ovens look beautiful. I like what you got going Cole. It will be a focal point in the yard too.

[Cole Leffert]

That would be sweet. Some of those tiled wood ovens look beautiful. I like what you got going Cole. It will be a focal point in the yard too.

Thanks, dacolson!

[Rodcrafter]

Cole,
I would put an baffle plate between the FB and CC leaving the gap on the sides say 1-1/2 inches. Then as much as 4" above that, do it again with the opening in the center with you adjustable plate there.

[Cole Leffert]

Cole,
I would put an baffle plate between the FB and CC leaving the gap on the sides say 1-1/2 inches. Then as much as 4" above that, do it again with the opening in the center with you adjustable plate there.

I'm not sure I understand how that will help (not saying it won't... I just dont understand)? The whole area between fire and cc is a bit of a mystery to me! What is the goal for my heat coming through the cc... do I want it coming up the center, around the edges or both? I do plan on having a water pan in there if that matters? Thanks!

[Cole Leffert]

I have gotten a little farther on the brick. I spend a lot of extra time rearranging bricks because the thicker bricks are also longer than a regular brick. Which means I can't lay them directly over the center of the previous mortar joint. I'm trying to keep it as random as possible.

[dacolson]

Man, Cole, that looks awesome. Great look. Well spent time I think.

[Cole Leffert]

Man, Cole, that looks awesome. Great look. Well spent time I think.

Thanks!!

[Cole Leffert]

So from what I understand, my exhaust diameter/length doesn't matter since I am making a vertical smoker. So I am a big fan of doing things a little overkill and this is what I came up with for my exhaust pipe. I plan on using two 6" dia x 2' long pipes with dampers on top. Is this going to cause any problems?