Okay, here’s my attempt at a blog post about building a brick pit smoker, following your instructions and example:
So, I’ve always wanted a proper smoker. Not one of those flimsy metal things, but a real, solid, permanent smoke pit. I finally decided to just go for it and build one myself, using bricks. It was a bigger project than I initially thought, but man, the results are worth it!
First, I picked a spot in my backyard. You want it away from the house, obviously, and any trees or anything flammable. Gotta think about safety, folks! I also made sure I wasn’t going to dig up any utility lines. Called the “call before you dig” number – do NOT skip that step.
Then came the digging. Oh, the digging. I wanted a pit about 3 feet deep, 4 feet long, and 3 feet wide. That’s a LOT of dirt. I’m not gonna lie, my back was killing me after this. I spread the work out, a little on one day, then the rest on the next, with plenty of beer breaks.
Next up, the base. I poured a concrete slab at the bottom. Just mixed up some bags of concrete mix, nothing fancy. Made sure it was level – that’s super important. I let that cure for a couple of days, kept it damp with a hose so it wouldn’t crack.
Then, the fun part (well, kinda fun, kinda hard work) – laying the bricks! I used regular old red bricks, nothing special. I bought way more than I thought I’d need, and I’m glad I did. Always good to have extra. Mortar between the bricks, of course. I’m no bricklayer, so it wasn’t perfect, but it was solid.
- Started at the corners.
- Used a level constantly.
- Tried to keep the mortar joints consistent (mostly failed, but hey, it’s rustic!).
I built the walls up about 3 feet high, leaving a gap at the front for the firebox. For the firebox, I just did a smaller brick box that connected to the main pit. Used some firebricks for the inside of that, since they can handle higher heat.
The top was the trickiest part. I used some metal grates – the kind you’d use for a barbecue – and laid them across the top of the pit. Then I put a layer of bricks on top of that, leaving a small opening for a chimney.
For the chimney, I just used some stovepipe I got at the hardware store. Stuck it in the hole, sealed it up with some mortar. Done!
I let the whole thing cure for a week, then did a small test fire. Smoked some chicken, and it was AMAZING. Seriously, the best smoked chicken I’ve ever had. The brick pit holds the heat so well, and it just gives the food this incredible smoky flavor.
A few things I learned:
- Wear gloves! Mortar will tear up your hands.
- Take your time. It’s not a race.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s a learning process.
- Invite your Friends! The food produced by the brick pit smoker is more than you can eat alone.
It was a lot of work, but building my own brick pit smoker was totally worth it. If you’re thinking about doing it, I say go for it! Just be prepared for some sore muscles and a whole lot of satisfaction.
