Thanks to Wes for giving insight. Here is the start:
I wanted the smoker in a semi shade area for when I grill in the summer months so I settled on a spot by my largest tree. I then dug an 8x4 hole 8 inches deep. 3 inches of gravel and 5 of concrete. After I tampped the gravel I built the forms. When I dug the hole, I had to splice a telephone line to extend it out of the area. It rained as I was doing this so the splice got wet and I had bad tv reception for a day and a half. No biggie though because I record all my shows and I had ample beer in the fridge to pass the time.
After non stop rain for like 2 weeks I then was able to pour the concrete. I used 5500 PSI concrete mix with a combo of 1/2 inch and 3/8 inch rebar every 10 inches and 2 inches off the edges. I used the 1/2 rebar for the grid that will support the smoker because this is where the bulk of wieght will be. The smoker is 35x35 inches for the exterior (27.5x25 interior or close to that). The actual grilling BBQ is 35 inches in length with a 23 inch countertop (hope to start that this week).
Next I started, with the help of my wife, the cinder block frame for the smoker. Now, I youtubed how to lay brick and it isn't as easy as it looks. Much respect to those who do that for a living because it is backbreaking work. Anyways, we got off to a slow start trying to figure it out. We used S Type mortar. Word to those who will try to build a cinder block smoker---where gloves and plastic gloves when handling the brick and when rubbing the mortar. The mortar dries your skin and the little fine gravel cuts like a razor after a while. Or you can man up like me!!!
For the Lintel I used a 2 inch angle bracket that was 34 inches long and a 1 inch bracket also at 34 inches long to support the brick for the firebox frame. I did not buy the doors yet and should have but the build had to continue on. The brick is 4 inches wide so I wanted 3 inch coverage for the lintel to support the brick.
I wanted the smoker in a semi shade area for when I grill in the summer months so I settled on a spot by my largest tree. I then dug an 8x4 hole 8 inches deep. 3 inches of gravel and 5 of concrete. After I tampped the gravel I built the forms. When I dug the hole, I had to splice a telephone line to extend it out of the area. It rained as I was doing this so the splice got wet and I had bad tv reception for a day and a half. No biggie though because I record all my shows and I had ample beer in the fridge to pass the time.
After non stop rain for like 2 weeks I then was able to pour the concrete. I used 5500 PSI concrete mix with a combo of 1/2 inch and 3/8 inch rebar every 10 inches and 2 inches off the edges. I used the 1/2 rebar for the grid that will support the smoker because this is where the bulk of wieght will be. The smoker is 35x35 inches for the exterior (27.5x25 interior or close to that). The actual grilling BBQ is 35 inches in length with a 23 inch countertop (hope to start that this week).
Next I started, with the help of my wife, the cinder block frame for the smoker. Now, I youtubed how to lay brick and it isn't as easy as it looks. Much respect to those who do that for a living because it is backbreaking work. Anyways, we got off to a slow start trying to figure it out. We used S Type mortar. Word to those who will try to build a cinder block smoker---where gloves and plastic gloves when handling the brick and when rubbing the mortar. The mortar dries your skin and the little fine gravel cuts like a razor after a while. Or you can man up like me!!!
For the Lintel I used a 2 inch angle bracket that was 34 inches long and a 1 inch bracket also at 34 inches long to support the brick for the firebox frame. I did not buy the doors yet and should have but the build had to continue on. The brick is 4 inches wide so I wanted 3 inch coverage for the lintel to support the brick.
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