"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote
"cshenk" wrote

We are back to this DIY project. Today at the local Lowes:

Don spec'ed out the brick and mortar section for the BBQ but we delayed
as we didnt like the fire-safe bottom bricks they had and want to check
Home Depot before deciding.

There are few options regarding fire brick. Why though, did you go to
Lowes and HD???? Why not go to a real masonry supply house for the brick?
If it is available, they will have it or be able to get it for you that is
their business, not selling drapery hooks.

Actually, didnt think about trying to locate a specialty brick place. We
just wanted something a little off the standard 'everyone has that'.

Any plans any of you can find for such a project, will be well recieved!
I'm hunting internet sources.

Look here
http://www.ibiblio.org/lineback/bbq/pits.htm

I love it! The 'Beast' is close to what we are thinking of.

Got a giggle at the inventive filing cabinet smoker too but with kids and
pets, that would be too hot for their safety. I got a great idea though
from the insides of the hog pit. Now if I can get a fire safe brick thats
like the garden ones he's got holding up the rebar, that would be great! I
like your brick one too ;-)


This is what I'd build
http://www.ibiblio.org/lineback/bbq/beast.htm

Oh and look! We picked the same one!

The difference would be we'd use a metal top portion (well above young child
or pet level reach).

Where your's has an exterior metal frame, Don was thinking to custom make an
interior metal frame with many adjustable racks then a door. He's looking
over old small stoves (non-repairables at the local Maytag place) just now.
He had the idea to call and see if he can find one there and they had one.
It's a small 18 inch trailer sized stove with a little glass (tempered
obviously) window.

.... bit of time as I typed. I'll leave the above but the plan just changed.

He's just called and for 20$ haulage, he says he can adapt the core of it
nicely. The area where the 3 burners are (yes, has 3, 1 big in front and 2
small at back) can be edited to make a top grill. He wants to take out the
dials and run thermometers up through and out there. Take out the big
burner and make a metal grate below then put coals in a pan on the racks for
the regular 'just a few burgers' need (be about habatchi sized). They are
gutting the electronics and such parts we do not need just now.

Have to figure out how to keep it from rusting out though. It will fit
inside the existing core area with room to spare on all sides. My idea is
to build up the walls with 2 layers of bricks level to it's top, set it
towards the back, then make a little metal 'hood'. Have the hood and other
exterior work powder-coated at the local car repair place in a matching
'50's blue' to the door.

I'll know in a few hours if this seems workable.