Building a charcoal BBQ

[tkappeler]

We run a 32 plot community garden at our church and are planning on expanding this year. We want to add a charcoal BBQ for general use. Building process is not a problem but lacking ideas with pros/cons on various styles, insert types, etc.

I have thought about different kinds including all brick, steel stud with cement board and veneer stone, simple brick ledge and grates resting on ledge, drop in inserts. My head is swimming with the ideas and need to get the pros/cons on the different ones to help get to a few choices.

Anyone build one? What are your recommendations? Locations for inserts, etc?

Thanks.

 

[Western]

A steel one like they have at the camp grounds? Would be simple and quick.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

We run a 32 plot community garden at our church and are planning on expanding this year. We want to add a charcoal BBQ for general use. Building process is not a problem but lacking ideas with pros/cons on various styles, insert types, etc.

I have thought about different kinds including all brick, steel stud with cement board and veneer stone, simple brick ledge and grates resting on ledge, drop in inserts. My head is swimming with the ideas and need to get the pros/cons on the different ones to help get to a few choices.

Anyone build one? What are your recommendations? Locations for inserts, etc?

Thanks.

Have never built one, but I tore one down. We had one when we moved into our first home. It was a big, permanent brick/concrete structure that took a ton of charcoal and a lot of work just to cook a couple hamburgers. It was never practical for family use; maybe it would have been if we were cooking half a cow. It was actually an eyesore that I ended up tearing down and using the bricks to make a sidewalk along the East side of the house. I would think long and hard before I spent the time and money to build a permanent structure like that.

Now, having said that, I would look at how you want to use it. Do you want to cook for 10, or 100? Have you ruled out a commercial unit? There are lots of grill/smokers out there, from an Oklahoma Joe's to some professional units that are on wheels. Some are built to burn wood and can function as a smoker or as a charcoal grill. For general use, you might want to consider one like this...where you can cook a few hamburgers with charcoal, or half a cow as a smoker. A lot of these are custom built. Caution: If you consider an already built unit, there is a lot of CHEAP, flimsy junky stuff out there.

Another thing you might consider is security. The permanent structures you don't have to worry about very much, but a small unit or a unit on wheels is an invitation to thieves, at least in this part of the country. The Elks Lodge where we go had a couple of the smaller (500 - 700 lbs) steel grills/smokers stolen.

Good luck.

P.S. There is a lot of information out there:

http://www.thesmokering.com/

http://www.symphonybbq.com/page32.html


http://www.lonestargrillz.com/

 

[Farmerjonathan]

UDS, Ugly Drum Smokers. My shop students make a couple a year. Here is the video we use to build from.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7nrb3Fq5kI

 

[tkappeler]

ok. I see I was a little vague in my first list of "wants". The church has a preschool attached to it. The place is pretty much vacant except for Sundays and after 2:00 during the school year and summer. As a result, we are looking for permanent so it is not attractive to thieves. We are only looking to make it available for 10-15 people at a time. If we have larger gatherings, people come with additional big box propane units to augment.

We are not looking for show home quality but better than a pole mounted. Not a smoker. 2Lane, I hear you about the big monstrosities. We are not looking to build something that big either.

My original thought was something like this FireMagic 3324 drop in on a steel stud/cement board/brick veneer unit.

 

[brin]

A steel one like they have at the camp grounds? Would be simple and quick.

I agree...Northern Tool advertises the park type charcoal , steel BBQ grills ...they are under $200 and are durable with adjustable grates.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

ok. I see I was a little vague in my first list of "wants". The church has a preschool attached to it. The place is pretty much vacant except for Sundays and after 2:00 during the school year and summer. As a result, we are looking for permanent so it is not attractive to thieves. We are only looking to make it available for 10-15 people at a time. If we have larger gatherings, people come with additional big box propane units to augment.

We are not looking for show home quality but better than a pole mounted. Not a smoker. 2Lane, I hear you about the big monstrosities. We are not looking to build something that big either.

My original thought was something like this FireMagic 3324 drop in on a steel stud/cement board/brick veneer unit.

If you are going with a charcoal (as opposed to gas) grill, you might consider getting a unit that has a cover. Not only does it give you more heat control and retained smoke flavor, but it is desirable from a safety standpoint, and it also saves on charcoal. Otherwise, you have to let the charcoal burn itself out or you have to douse it with water. A gas fired grill, of course, has different safety considerations, such as keeping the bottles secure from the children.

 

[EddieWalker]

Every time I think about building something, I start pricing out materials and come up with the same price it costs to buy brand new, and that's not counting the time and energy it takes to build it. One thing about building it permanently, is that's where it will have to remain for all time. Having a portable one has all sorts of advantages. This is the one I bought last year from Lowes. We had been watching it for awhile, but didn't want to spend the money. I think they had it for $429. Then one day towards the end of summer I saw it for sale at $300. I was working and there picking up materials for a client. I bought it and had them load it on my truck because it was too good a deal to pass up. I'm sure glad I did because it's the best BBQ I've ever owned!!!!

Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Offset Smoker and Grill (12201747) - Smokers - Ace Hardware

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Every time I think about building something, I start pricing out materials and come up with the same price it costs to buy brand new, and that's not counting the time and energy it takes to build it. One thing about building it permanently, is that's where it will have to remain for all time. Having a portable one has all sorts of advantages. This is the one I bought last year from Lowes. We had been watching it for awhile, but didn't want to spend the money. I think they had it for $429. Then one day towards the end of summer I saw it for sale at $300. I was working and there picking up materials for a client. I bought it and had them load it on my truck because it was too good a deal to pass up. I'm sure glad I did because it's the best BBQ I've ever owned!!!!

Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Offset Smoker and Grill (12201747) - Smokers - Ace Hardware

Eddie

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Every time I think about building something, I start pricing out materials and come up with the same price it costs to buy brand new, and that's not counting the time and energy it takes to build it. One thing about building it permanently, is that's where it will have to remain for all time. Having a portable one has all sorts of advantages. This is the one I bought last year from Lowes. We had been watching it for awhile, but didn't want to spend the money. I think they had it for $429. Then one day towards the end of summer I saw it for sale at $300. I was working and there picking up materials for a client. I bought it and had them load it on my truck because it was too good a deal to pass up. I'm sure glad I did because it's the best BBQ I've ever owned!!!!

Char-Broil Oklahoma Joe Longhorn Offset Smoker and Grill (12201747) - Smokers - Ace Hardware

Eddie

These units are well made and heavy. I have never used one; can you give us a short lesson on the ease of grilling, say hamburgers vs smoking a brisket or a dozen slabs of ribs? I have a Big Green Egg that is great for smoking ribs, but it is limited in that about 4 or 5 slabs are all you can cook at a time and is not really designed for grilling.

Thanks.

 

[SPIKER]

The little community center next door to me has two that are made out of 55 gal drum cut in half. Each half sets on a set of legs with cheap lawn mower wheels at one end and some bent conduit for handles to move em about. The tops are simple expanded metal welded to a angle iron frame so easy to make and inexpensive....

Mark

 

[PILOON]

I have made a few for our events so I can offer a couple of ideas.

My next one would be made from a 100lb propane tank cut in half lengthwise with 1/2 x 1/2 angle welded on the bottom edges.
For the grilling surface I'd use expanded HD steel mesh with again 1/2 x 1/2 angle to finish the edges. Nice handles about 6" high at both ends (bent 3/8 rod) to lift the grilling surface for replenishment of charcoal.
The remaining tank 1/2 I'd weld hinges and add a chain to hold the 'lid' opened just right. Add a handle to open/close the lid.
3 legs (ground is always uneven) with the pair sporting old lawnmower wheels for easy displacement.
A disc welded at bottom of the 3rd leg so that it stays above ground and short 'handles' to raise and move the grill easily from place to place.
Drill 2-3 holes in the bottom to allow rain water to drain out (like 5/8" or so.)
Bottom fire grate is made similar to the grilling surface but narrower just to keep the coals about 2-3" abobe the bottom.

A grill made as such will last many years and cost is minimal. Enough surface to make dogs and burgers for 75 people.
Naturally welding and an angle grinder with cut off blades need to be in your tool kit.

My first was easy to disassemble and local scrappers 'borrowed' it for scrap prices so the next one was all welded making it simply to awkward to 'borrow'.

 

[EddieWalker]

These units are well made and heavy. I have never used one; can you give us a short lesson on the ease of grilling, say hamburgers vs smoking a brisket or a dozen slabs of ribs? I have a Big Green Egg that is great for smoking ribs, but it is limited in that about 4 or 5 slabs are all you can cook at a time and is not really designed for grilling.

Thanks.

Wish I could say what it's like to cook with it, but I've never used it. Karen does all the cooking and grilling. She says it relaxes her and she enjoys being creative. I can tell you that she loves the grill and being able to smoke ribs, or grill veggies or whatever she wants on it. Our previous grill was about half the size and it didn't have a smoker. She really likes the smoker, so now that she's happy, I get lots of grilled meals!!!!

Eddie

 

[flusher]

We run a 32 plot community garden at our church and are planning on expanding this year. We want to add a charcoal BBQ for general use. Building process is not a problem but lacking ideas with pros/cons on various styles, insert types, etc.

I have thought about different kinds including all brick, steel stud with cement board and veneer stone, simple brick ledge and grates resting on ledge, drop in inserts. My head is swimming with the ideas and need to get the pros/cons on the different ones to help get to a few choices.

Anyone build one? What are your recommendations? Locations for inserts, etc?

Thanks.

Here's one I built in my backyard about 7 years ago.



It's overall design is similar to the BBQ pits in the city parks in St. Louis (my hometown). I updated it so I could have my choice of a charcoal smoker or a propane grill. Bought the grills on sale at Home Depot.

I used cinder block for the main structure to keep the cost down. However, if you want a more standard type of charcoal pit with steel grates for the food and the fuel, you could use firebrick or maybe even common clay brick and modify the design so you have access to the grates through a hole in the side opposite the chimney.

The facing is stone (drain rock used in septic system leach fields) set in mortar--very inexpensive. Smoke from the charcoal smoker is directed out the chimney. There's a spark arrestor screen near the output end of the chimney.

Good luck

 

[Western]

Ray, that look nice:thumbsup: I actually like the "rough" texture. Will California still allow wood fire smokers?, I'd thought they would have outlawed that too by now?

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Here's one I built in my backyard about 7 years ago.

View attachment 367301View attachment 367302View attachment 367303View attachment 367304

It's overall design is similar to the BBQ pits in the city parks in St. Louis (my hometown). I updated it so I could have my choice of a charcoal smoker or a propane grill. Bought the grills on sale at Home Depot.

I used cinder block for the main structure to keep the cost down. However, if you want a more standard type of charcoal pit with steel grates for the food and the fuel, you could use firebrick or maybe even common clay brick and modify the design so you have access to the grates through a hole in the side opposite the chimney.

The facing is stone (drain rock used in septic system leach fields) set in mortar--very inexpensive. Smoke from the charcoal smoker is directed out the chimney. There's a spark arrestor screen near the output end of the chimney.

Good luck

Nice work! I see you're getting the ground ready for the new pool...and how big are you planning to make the pavilion? :thumbsup:

 

[flusher]

Ray, that look nice:thumbsup: I actually like the "rough" texture. Will California still allow wood fire smokers?, I'd thought they would have outlawed that too by now?

Last week I read that a bill is going through the CA legislature now that would ban wood burning stoves (the type that uses wood pellets for heating).

For smoking meat I just use charcoal briquettes and water soaked wood (oak, cherry, etc) chips to make smoke. I'll continue doing this until the smoke police show up in my backyard and make me stop.

 

[flusher]

Nice work! I see you're getting the ground ready for the new pool...and how big are you planning to make the pavilion? :thumbsup:

Not a pool. Just built a pergola over the BBQ pit.

 

[SPIKER]

Not a pool. Just built a pergola over the BBQ pit.

View attachment 367427View attachment 367428View attachment 367429

That will REALLY be nice with some Grapes planted at each post & let them grow up over top in summer for extra shade! might attract bugs & birds but would make it look great & get some good grapes for making better wine

 

[Gunny]

Last week I read that a bill is going through the CA legislature now that would ban wood burning stoves (the type that uses wood pellets for heating).

For smoking meat I just use charcoal briquettes and water soaked wood (oak, cherry, etc) chips to make smoke. I'll continue doing this until the smoke police show up in my backyard and make me stop.

And here I'd always heard that pellet stoves were "green", meaning that they took a waste product and converted it into a fairly non polluting fuel!

ON your other point, I really like water soaked apple wood for smoking, along with lump charcoal.