Okay, so I’ve been wanting to build a brick smoker for, like, forever. Finally got around to it this past weekend. Let me tell you, it was a project, but totally worth it. Here is how my own smoker came to life!
Gathering Supplies
First things first, I needed to get all my stuff together. This wasn’t a quick trip to the hardware store, I can tell you that. I made a list (super important!) and it looked something like this:
- Bricks: I used regular old red bricks, nothing fancy. I needed way more than I thought, I had to go get some more.
- Mortar: This is the “glue” that holds the bricks together. I got a pre-mixed bag, making things easier.
- Metal Grates: Two of these, one for the charcoal and one for the meat, should be strong and heat persistant.
- Door materials:I used some scrap metal and hinges I had lying around, but you could use anything that can handle the heat.
- Tools: Trowel, level, shovel, bucket for mixing mortar, gloves, safety glasses – the works.
The Build
I started by clearing a spot in my backyard. It needed to be level, ’cause nobody wants a wonky smoker! Then I dug a shallow pit for the base, just a few inches deep.
Next up, laying the first layer of bricks. I spread some mortar on the ground and started placing the bricks, making sure they were level. This part took some time, gotta be patient with it. I kept adding layers, staggering the bricks like you see on a regular brick wall. This makes it stronger.
I left an opening at the bottom for the firebox. This is where the charcoal goes, so it needs to be big enough to get air in and out. On top of the firebox, I placed one of the metal grates. This is where the burning charcoal would rest.
I kept building up the walls, and at the right height, I placed the second metal grate. This is where the meat would sit and get all smoky and delicious.
The Door and Finishing Touches
The door was a bit tricky. I used my scrap metal and hinges to make a simple door that would cover the firebox opening. It’s not airtight, but it doesn’t need to be. It just needs to control the airflow a bit.
Once the mortar was dry (this took a couple of days, had to be patient!), I built a small fire inside to cure the mortar and test everything out. I threw in some wood chips for extra smoke. It worked great!
First Smoke!
My first cook was some ribs. I kept the fire low and slow, adding wood chips every now and then for that smoky flavor. It took hours, but man, oh man, were they good! Falling-off-the-bone tender and smoky. Totally worth all the effort.
This brick smoker is now my favorite toy in my backyard. It took some hard work to built the smoker. And I’m already planning my next smoking adventure!
