The Great Firebrick Test is a scientific attempt to see if I can make a little maze out of firebricks in my smoker's firebox, fill the maze with lump charcoal (and some wood) and leave the smoker completely unattended for six hours without adjusting the smoker in any way. The goal is that the smoker will maintain temperatures suitable for smoking meat (between 200 and 275 or so, hopefully more like 225) during that period, as well. The hope is that I'll be able to find a way to load up my smoker with coals and wood, stick a brisket in there, and go to bed. This will make it easier for me to slow-cook a brisket overnight for like 14 hours or so, and have it come off the grill during the afternoon (when I like to eat).
I got this idea from the FAQ of the Internet BBQ List, as well as from a steel thingy that BBQ Pits by Klose sells in Houston (for over $100, compared to $4 for my method). The idea to make a web page out of it came from my enjoyment of Rob Cockerham's awesome web site and his brilliant contribution to science, How Much is Inside. Also, I thought it would be helpful if folks could learn from my mistakes and (maybe) my sucesses.
During the test, I'll be measuring temps with the cheapo $17 thermometer in the lid of my Black Diamond smoker, and using a (Redi-Check) wireless remote thermometer at grill level. As an interesting side-test, I'll try to keep an eye on the delta between the two readings so I can get a rough feel for how accurate the two thermometers are, as well has the temperature difference between the lid and grill level. There will be more frequent readings from the wireless thermometer, because I hope to stay indoors away from the smoker for most of this test. Even if I can't achieve a 6 hour run, being able to leave the smoker unattended for hours at a time will be a Good Thing. It might also reduce how plowed I am when food comes off the grill. Sitting outside in the Texas heat tending a fire is thirsty work.
Outside Temp: 94 degrees.
Winds: light and variable 1-3 knots.
Humidity: 39%
Pre-work
Empty grill with beer bottle for scale.
Stack of firebricks. I have no sense of scale. I bought 12 bricks, and only used four. Note the handy propane torch for fire starting. It's good to be lazy.
First try at arranging them.
After I put the coals in. I re-arranged the bricks because I realized that I was not going to be able to pour white-hot coals into the very back of the firebox.
11:25
Fire started. You can see that, like a total moron, I only put a very small amount of lit coals in the bottom left of the picture. 100 degrees at lid. damper 100% open.
11:30
125 degrees @ lid. Starting to think that this will not work.