BBQ

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Orfy
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BBQ

Post by Orfy »

I BBQ alot. Yhe last BBQ I had was a £400 beast. Considering that it's not gas that's a lot to pay but it was worth it. but after 7 years of constant all year round use (Over use) It's worn out and needs time, effort and some money spending on it, With a heayvish heart it's been moved out of prime spot until I can find a use for it or send it the the BBQ beach party in the sky.

I've not come across a bbq that I'd be happy with, for a reasonable price and the ones I've seen at any price are a comprise on the features I want.
So the only option was to collect parts over the last 12 months. After building a mock up to finalise the format I left it until now to make sure nothing better turned up.

Total cost is one bag of sand and cement (That will also get used for other things).
So I'd put it at a cost of <3.00 The bricks have been collected from various places. The fire grate is from the old bbq. and the other bits are from old scrap ovens and appliances.

I tested the mock up several times and was never quite happy with the fires performance. It either burnt to slow and not completely or too fast and hot. The solution was quite simple make sure the fire camber was draft free apart from a feed below the grate fed by removing a half brick. Once burning well the hole is damped as require to slow the burn.
The fire starts easily, the flames heat the top griddle, the grills can be pulled out so you can cook be the side of the heat rather than directly over it. There are four grill positions and you can use two grills and the griddle at the same time. The fuel burns to dust so it should never need cleaning between uses, It's all stainless so doesn't need covering.

The only thing it missing in an ideal world is a lid so I can only grill and griddle on it. With a lid I could bake and roast. I need to inspiration for the design and parts for to happen.

It's next to the fire monkey rocket stove and I have left space for the next project. A hot and cold smoker.

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Allotment http://taylorsplot.blogspot.com/
Orfy Blog (Food'n'Stuff) http://orfy.blogspot.com/
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Orfy
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Re: BBQ

Post by Orfy »

Forgot to add something to the cost. Hammer rash on my thumb and a bruised and swollen fut due to it cushioning the fall of a brick.

It was too warm for boots and it was a barefoot day for me. :?
Allotment http://taylorsplot.blogspot.com/
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1xMaran 1xRIR 6xWarrens 2xMuts
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manda
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Re: BBQ

Post by manda »

I do miss a fire BBQ...we have gas because otherwise in the summer with fire bans we'd never get to BBQ....It's looking great Orfy )t' :-D
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)✰
(¸.✰´¨(¸.✰ Manda

Living our version of the Good Life with 4 dogs, 6 cats, a cow, a few sheep, Angora Goats and ???? chooks.
Don't get your knickers in a knot..it solves nothing ~ just makes you walk funny
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mrs boodles
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Re: BBQ

Post by mrs boodles »

Looks great Orfy, fraid hubby used to take ages to light an ordinary one so we invested in a gas one.
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Orfy
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Re: BBQ

Post by Orfy »

Yes lighting a fire can be a pain and can take some looking after.
Last year whilst I was in between BBQ's I was using the instant light bags.

This year I've found out about the upside down fire starting method and I've had good results.
Easy to build with minimum effort and input. I used it for the first time on the bbq last night and it was ready cook with an even burn in no time.
Allotment http://taylorsplot.blogspot.com/
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Benny&Co
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Re: BBQ

Post by Benny&Co »

Wow Orfy, you've done really well there )t' :-D
Bev x
Our family: my-Lovely-Hubbly and I, Benny and our two little Ladies - Betty and Gloria.

RIP dear little Ladies - Lottie, Cottie, Elsie, Dottie, Hilda and Margie. You may have gone, but are never ever forgotten.
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MissEllie
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Re: BBQ

Post by MissEllie »

Great DIY skills Orfy, enjoy your future bbqs )c+
The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have
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Orfy
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Re: BBQ

Post by Orfy »

There's not been much BBQ weather so far but it's worked perfectly on the 10 or so occasions it's been used.

Burns well and long with minimal intervention or adjustment.

I finally got to fill the gap. still need to mortar the mocked dwarf wall and put some temp gauges , racks, vent etc. but the smoking cabinet is built.

Need to plumb in the cold smoke generator I built and sort out the electrics for the hot smoking.

I need to perfect it for when "Scrumpy" is 28 weeks.

First test for hot smoking got a little too hot!

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Allotment http://taylorsplot.blogspot.com/
Orfy Blog (Food'n'Stuff) http://orfy.blogspot.com/
1xMaran 1xRIR 6xWarrens 2xMuts
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manda
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Re: BBQ

Post by manda »

Looking good Orfy )t'
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)✰
(¸.✰´¨(¸.✰ Manda

Living our version of the Good Life with 4 dogs, 6 cats, a cow, a few sheep, Angora Goats and ???? chooks.
Don't get your knickers in a knot..it solves nothing ~ just makes you walk funny
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