grill conversion

[b.read]

Ok, i was gonna build a pit, but figured i'm just starting out (with smoking) so maybe should hold off on a build. I have someone who's willing to give me a 55 gallon barrel grill (with stand and wheels). I'm thinking it wouldn't be too hard to add a firebox under it or to the side. any thoughts?
Thanks!
brandon

[bowhnter]

Check out this sticky on building a UDS http://www.texasbbqforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3613

You could have one built in a weekend.

BTW, where do you live? I just seen a WSM for sale on Craigslist down around Waco.

[b.read]

i'm in new braunfels. Waco's a little bit of a drive. The pit i think i'm getting is horizontal grill. have seen them where they are stacked laying on their sides running a pipe from bottom to the top.
Like this:
http://www.thesmokering.com/pits/metalp ... efault.jsp
i was thinking of welding a firebox to the bottom. I've got an old air tank from a portable compressor i might use. not sure what kind of capacity i need for a firebox. i'm trying to do this as inexpensively as possible.
thanks for any and all help,
brandon

[OSD]

If the pit you are getting is a horizontal grill you could smoke on it doing an indirect cook ( build the fire on one end and cook on the other) until you figure out what you are going to do and use for materials. People do indirect smokes on kettles all the time with great results and your pit would have more room than a kettle. Might be a place to start.

[Toontroller]

Brandon here is the little backyard grill I'm finding myself using more and more for indirect cooking.


I fill the very botton with charcoal and light a few briquets on one end. I have the grate the charcoal is normaly on for grilling above that holding a foil pan above the coals. Then the meat is put above the foil pan so any drippings will be caught by the pan. This small grill will hold constant 250-260 for 6 hours easy.

Here is a little chicken off this setup last night.

You can do the same thing on your new setup while your figuring out the firebox.

[b.read]

i didn't even think about indirect smoking! Cool at least i can start (smoking and eathing) sooner than i thought! Is there some sort of formula or general rule of thumb about the size of a fire box for a pit? I've lived in texas all my life (28 years) and never really smoked before. Thanks for all the help this is a pretty friendly place.... hope i don't wear out my welcome!
THanks,
brandon

[Papa Tom]

i didn't even think about indirect smoking! Cool at least i can start (smoking and eathing) sooner than i thought! Is there some sort of formula or general rule of thumb about the size of a fire box for a pit? I've lived in texas all my life (28 years) and never really smoked before. Thanks for all the help this is a pretty friendly place.... hope i don't wear out my welcome!
THanks,
brandon

Brandon you ain't never gonna wear out your welcome talking about smokers at this place.....
Remember it's more about the cook than the cooker. I've got some heavy equipment but I got humbled by my neighbor and his little Char-griller a couple weeks ago. His brisket was easily better than any I had judged at comps. Once you learn the idiosyncrasies of your cooker you can make it sing.

[Toontroller]

Is there some sort of formula or general rule of thumb about the size of a fire box for a pit?

OK Guys and Gals correct me if I'm wrong here!

As a rule of thumb, Size your fire box to match the diameter of the pit. A 24" diameter pit would have a 24"L x 24"W 24"H fire box.

I'm sure there is a much better scientific way to figure it, I just don't know it.....

[OSD]

You might want to consider this option for a side fire box for a 55 gal drum. I know a couple guys that have done this and it works great for them. They buy the side fire box for a Char Grill smoker and attach it to the drum. Just cut the hole in the end of the drum and bolt it on. Everything is already there, grates, vents, grill. Put a baffle in the drum over the hole and you're set to go with a lot less work than building everything from scratch.

This is what they used.........

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

[Papa Tom]

A splendid idea.

[b.read]

shoot that does make sense! I'd like to eventually build something a little more heavy duty than the drum, but i'm sure everyone knows money's tight right now and i'd rather buy some grub than scrap metal! I think i will try to find a deal on one of those fireboxes and work from there!
THanks everyone!
Brandon