How To Build A 55 Gallon Drum Barbecue Pit
How to Build A 55 Gallon Drum Barbecue Pit
If you love good barbecue, then you need to learn how to build a 55 gallon drum barbecue pit. Building your own barbecue pit isn't as hard as it looks. The first thing you will need to do is gather your supplies. You will need:
Two 55 Gallon Drums Wood Stove Kit 22 x 15 Grilling Surfaces Fire Bricks Smokestacks Hinges Heat thermometer Fire safe paint
The first thing you'll want to do is paint the barrels with fire proof paint. You'll need to use a saber saw with a fresh blade. If you don't have one, then you can rent one from a home improvement store. Cut one hole for the fire door, and matching holes in both barrels where they will be connected. Then, cut the top barrel horizontally in half.
Now it's time to break out the wood stove kit. Do all the mounting and nailing as directed in the directions of the kit. First you'll be putting the lower barrel on the legs, then add the fire door, supports and flues. Then you'll want to add the top barrel and connect it to the bottom one using the flues and supports.
Next you'll want to cut holes and install the smokestacks. Make sure you create the dampers and drill a hole for your thermometer. Put fire bricks in the bottom barrel and add the grill brackets. Stick the grill surfaces in place, and you're good to go!
When it comes to using your 55 gallon drum barbecue pit, you'll want to choose a surface like hard packed dirt or smooth concrete. Operating your new barbecue pit is a snap, just make sure you're using real wood, not charcoal. There are a variety of woods that can impart a wonderful smoky flavor and nice, even heating. They include oak, mesquite, and hickory.
Building a 55 gallon drum barbecue pit is a labor of love. Yes, it takes time and effort, but the result is an amazing professional quality barbecue smoker that you and your family and friends will love!
Plans For Outdoor Barbecues
Finding Plans for Outdoor Barbecues
Maybe you'd like to build an outdoor barbecue but don't know where to start. The first thing you need to do is find plans for outdoor barbecues. There are a variety of places where you can find these plans, as outlined below:
Your Local Library
There are lots of books on the shelves that can help you plan, design and build the outdoor barbecue of your dreams. One such title: Building Barbecues & Outdoor Kitchens from Sunset Books. This book will teach you everything you need to know and provide you with plans for outdoor barbecues. Another great title is Ultimate Outdoor Kitchens by Michelle Kodis. This book will not only teach you how to build an outdoor barbecue but also other outdoor kitchen areas as well.
The Internet
If you go online, you can find lots of great plans for outdoor barbecues as well. Some of them are free, and some of them cost money. Often, at home improvement message boards, you can exchange ideas and discuss plans for outdoor barbecues with other people interested in the same thing as you are. By talking to people who've been there and done that, you can learn what techniques work best when building outdoor barbecues and which to avoid.
Your Local Home Improvement Store
Check the shelves of your local home improvement store for plans for outdoor barbecues. Not only can you find books related to the subject, you can find individual plans for sale. Ask a sales attendant at the store for help. They can direct you to various plans and help you decide which kind of outdoor barbecue you want to build.
Your Imagination
While it's a little harder to get your plans for outdoor barbecues this way, some enterprising people can design and create the plans for their outdoor barbecue on their own. If you're good with construction projects and understand the basics of building things, you can probably design your own simple barbecue grill.
As mentioned before, the first step to building the perfect outdoor barbecue is great plans. Once you've found or created the right plans for your barbecue project, then you can move on to gathering supplies and beginning construction. Building your own barbecue is a project that benefits your whole family, and any lucky guests that happen to come over!
How To Make A Brick Barbecue
How to Make a Brick Barbecue
Many families enjoy the luxury of a brick barbecue in their backyard. Brick barbecues are attractive and functional. And they're something that many handy homeowners can construct on their own in a matter of hours. Don't know how to make a brick barbecue? Keep reading – we'll tell you how!
It's important to first figure out where in your yard you want the brick barbecue to be. You don't want to build it too far from your home, because you will be eventually making trips from your kitchen area to your brick barbecue. Make sure there aren't any hanging branches or fire hazards anywhere near the area where you are building. After you've determined where your brick barbecue is going to go, it's time to start digging the foundation.
You'll need to dig footings first. Then, make the forms for the base of the barbecue. Holes should be as close to 24 inches deep as possible. Ready to mix concrete can be used, simply mix it with water in a wheelbarrow for easy transport and access and blend until smooth with a flat tool like a hoe.
The average brick barbecue is 13 rows in height. How many bricks you'll need will depend on how large you want your barbecue to be. You'll be putting down layers of bricks with an opening where the barbecue area will go. In addition to the bricks, you will need barbecue grates and ashtrays. It helps to head to the local library and find books that feature pictures of various brick barbecues. With a photo or drawing for reference, you can more easily decide the best way to construct your brick barbecue. Often, you can find free plans for these structures at the library as well.
There are two different ways to make a brick barbecue – with mortar, and without mortar. The type of construction you choose will depend on several factors, including your construction skill level, time frame, and budget. A mortarless brick barbecue may not be as permanent, but it is much simpler and can be created using a basket weave pattern of bricks.
Organization is key to building a great brick barbecue. Read up on the subject first and draw up your plans before starting any construction. Gather all tools and supplies ahead of time and recruit a helper or two. With a little planning and hard work, anyone can construct a great brick barbecue that they'll enjoy using on a regular basis!
