How to Make a Smoker Out of Bricks – A DIY Guide

Smoking meat and other foods is one of the most flavorful cooking methods around. There’s nothing quite like brisket, ribs, or chicken perfectly infused with aromatic smoke flavor. While you can buy smokers, making your own custom brick smoker allows you to tailor the design exactly to your needs. With the right materials and techniques, you can actually construct a high-quality brick smoker in your backyard relatively easily.

Choosing the Right Bricks

The first step is selecting the right type of bricks. You want bricks that can withstand and retain heat, rather than crack under high temperatures.

• Firebricks – These are specifically designed to withstand extremely high heat like that found inside kilns and fireplaces. They come in a classic 4 x 8 inch standard brick size. Firebrick is the best material for DIY brick smokers.

• Clay bricks – Common clay brick holds up reasonably well in high heat. Solid, dense bricks are better than porous, lightweight ones.

• Concrete bricks – Concrete blocks or pavers are very heat resistant but more prone to cracking than clay or firebrick.

Avoid any bricks with coatings or glazes, which can chip and flake at high temperatures Used bricks salvaged from old projects or buildings also aren’t ideal, as they may have hidden cracks or damage. Opt for new, solid firebricks first if possible.

Designing and Sizing Your Brick Smoker

You’ll first want to decide on key aspects of your smoker design:

• Smoker type – Offset or cabinet? Offset smokers have a separate firebox attached to the cooking chamber. Cabinet-style smokers have an integrated firebox and grill area.

• Fuel – Charcoal, wood, or both? The fuel impacts the firebox size needed

• Cooking area – How much grilling space do you need? Size the cooking chamber accordingly.

• Shape – Rectangular, cylindrical, or custom unique shape?

• Portability – Will it be movable or permanent?

Consider how you intend to use the smoker and how much food you typically cook. It’s easy to scale plans up or down once you decide on a basic configuration.

Constructing the Smoker Body

With a design in mind, you can start assembling the main smoker structure:

• Build a level base with concrete, bricks or pavers to support the smoker.

• Lay firebricks lengthwise to build the bottom and walls using a mortar adhesive rated for high heat.

• Use steel rebar rods poked through small holes in the bricks to reinforce the structure.

• Create openings for air intake vents around the lower sides of the firebox.

• Add a doorway in the cooking chamber side to access food.

• Build a chimney at the top for smoke ventilation.

Take time laying each row of bricks to keep walls straight and level. Let mortar fully cure before lighting a fire inside.

Installing Doors, Racks and Accessories

Once the smoker frame is complete, add on necessary features:

• Attach heavy-duty steel doors on hinges to the firebox and smoking chamber.

• Weld or rivet sheets of expanded metal inside the cooking area for grilling racks.

• Add temperature gauges to monitor heat levels.

• Attach handles and shelves.

• Consider a rain cap and dampers to control air flow.

Apply high heat paint to any metal pieces. Getting all the finishing touches just right completes the customized look.

Tips for Successful Smoking

Once built, putting your DIY brick smoker to work takes a little practice:

• Find ideal fuel – Experiment with combinations of charcoal, woods chips and logs to find your favorite. Hardwoods like hickory, oak and mesquite make excellent smoke.

• Learn vent control – Adjusting the intake and exhaust vents regulates oxygen flow and temperature.

• Figure out heat zones – Various spots in the smoker will create different levels of heat.

• Master indirect cooking – Avoid direct flame under food, and deter flare-ups.

• Try water pans – Adding a water pan moderates temps and adds humidity.

• Embrace patience – Be prepared for long, slow cook times when smoking meat low and slow.

• Have temperature gauges – Monitoring the internal heat and food temp is crucial.

It may take a few smoking sessions to really get the hang of your new smoker. Take notes each time on what works to refine your process.

Smoking Different Types of Foods

One of the joys of having your own smoker is experimenting with all kinds of delicious smoked treats:

• Meats – Brisket, ribs, pork shoulders, chicken, turkey, sausages and more all benefit from time in the smoker.

• Seafood – Salmon, trout, halibut and other fish, plus shrimp and shellfish, taste amazing infused with a subtle smoky flavor.

• Vegetables – From potatoes and onions to tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms and squash, try smoking all kinds of veggies and sides.

• Cheese – Smoked cheeses like gouda, cheddar and mozzarella make incredible appetizers.

• Nuts – Pecans, walnuts, almonds and other nuts develop deep, rich flavor when smoked.

• Salt – Smoked salts add a tasty punch to meats, drinks and desserts.

Experiment with rubs, brines and marinades along with your favorite woods for smoking to discover new favorite flavors.

Maintaining Your Brick Smoker

Like any outdoor structure or grill, your homemade brick smoker will need occasional maintenance. Follow these tips to keep it in top shape:

• Let smoker fully cool and remove ash after each use.

• Cover when not in use to protect from weather.

• Check for any cracks or damage in bricks or mortar. Repair as needed.

• Apply high-temp paint touch ups if any metal parts become rusted.

• Avoid damage by handling firebricks gently and not striking with tools.

• Consider sealing the bricks with heat-resistant sealer for added waterproofing.

• Keep the doors, hinges and handles lubricated.

With proper care and maintenance, a homemade brick smoker can realistically last 5-10 years or more. Taking the time to construct one yourself lets you create a completely custom, high-quality smoker that will deliver delicious smoked foods for years to come. Get creative with the design possibilities and soon you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood with your brick smoking masterpiece.