Backyard Block Pit

[92xj]

 Got this guy cleaned and fired up last weekend for the summer time cooking. The lid has opened up a few larger gaps so I added some more fence boards to close them up some. She smoked beautifully.  Going to experiment this weekend with a configuration, not that it needs it but I can't leave things alone that do food, I'm always playing around. Will hopefully get some better food pics this weekend.

[DRobnsn]

That thing is awesome, don't know how I missed it originally. Hmmmm got me thinking, I have access to almost every material you used aside from the expanded metal. Problem is I also have some food grade barrels laying around. I wonder which would be better, I don't necessarily need a huge cook area to start with.

[92xj]

That thing is awesome, don't know how I missed it originally. Hmmmm got me thinking, I have access to almost every material you used aside from the expanded metal. Problem is I also have some food grade barrels laying around. I wonder which would be better, I don't necessarily need a huge cook area to start with.

I'd say make both.
The block pit is sweet but takes babysitting throughout the whole cook, if you are as anal about temps as I am.  It's a great pit to use when you are going to be home all day, have friends over and hangout having a drink In the yard till you're ready to eat.  It also doubles as an open pit grill, which is awesome for chicken parts, dogs, burgers, etc.  You will not be moving it, so if transportation is needed or moving around the yard, a barrel would be much easier. 

[Woodchuck]

Dude you are killin me.  Looks good.

[MAGhunter]

I bet your neighbors loved the smell of that

[DRobnsn]

That thing is awesome, don't know how I missed it originally. Hmmmm got me thinking, I have access to almost every material you used aside from the expanded metal. Problem is I also have some food grade barrels laying around. I wonder which would be better, I don't necessarily need a huge cook area to start with.

I'd say make both.
The block pit is sweet but takes babysitting throughout the whole cook, if you are as anal about temps as I am.  It's a great pit to use when you are going to be home all day, have friends over and hangout having a drink In the yard till you're ready to eat.  It also doubles as an open pit grill, which is awesome for chicken parts, dogs, burgers, etc.  You will not be moving it, so if transportation is needed or moving around the yard, a barrel would be much easier.

Thinking something like this would suffice in the short term and still be mobile http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-barrel-smoker/?ALLSTEPS

Some of this guys comments on his write up are hilarious. 

[92xj]

Google "uds" ( ugly drum smoker). Could also be a good cheap option for you. They work great and cook amazingly.

[Blacklab]

Keep on rockin the free world! 

Bucket list is a whole pig   

[92xj]

Cooked chicken quarters and a rack of spare ribs, my favorite of all ribs. Just a light rub on all meat, no glaze of any sort this time. Held temps from 275 to 300 during the cook. Ribs were two hours in cooker, then two hours sitting on foil with beer not covered, then one hour back on cooker with no foil. Chicken were a 2 hour cook after a 24 hour broke with light rub.

[lokidog]

Dang, that looks tasty!