Gonna Build a Santa Maria Style Grill.... Have Some Questions

[Music Junkie]

Hey All:

I posted a while back about refurbishing a Santa Maria style grill that I picked up free for hauling a load of brick off. I have done a test strip of sand blasting, and think that is going to work very well. Once I get it blasted, I will put a few coats of exterior black Rustoleum on the frame and crank. I will coat the grate in some cooking oil and fire it up to season it. My question really pertains to the block pit build. The part of the frame that will fit down into the block measures 29-3/4" x 40-1/4". I know I can have a little float, as I have a nice 2" flange on top. For those of you who have built these, do you use fire brick all the way up the sides, or just on the bottom, where the fire will be sitting? I am trying to lay out my block and dry measure, but I am not sure if I need the fire brick up the sides, and if I have to account for that in the sizing and layout.

Also, I have read that the fire platform should be 18"-24" below the lowest setting of the grill. Do I just fill in with dirt, and then place the fire brick on top of the dirt? Did any of you make drains to let water get out? Did you frame in, and install a door to pull the ash out, or do you just raise the grill and pull the ash out from the top?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Here is a pic of the grill.:-D

[tom b]

here is a quick sketch of how I set mine up. I don't know if this is what an expert purist would tell you to do it but it works for me. I did't originally run the fire brick on the sides but I had left some gappage between the block for intake but it was too much so I added FB on the side too but not all the way up. I made a fire grate also so the ash can fall thru. Good Luck

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w402/tomb1/20160428_183522_zpspcljabhl.jpg (http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/tomb1/media/20160428_183522_zpspcljabhl.jpg.html)

[Music Junkie]

The grate at the bottom is a wonderful idea! I did not even think of that. Do you have a door in the side to pull the ash out, or do you just lift those fire bricks and the grate out to clean it?

Thanks so much for the response and ideas.:-D

[tom b]

no door I take the grate off and sweep or vac it out, but not very often. I keep it covered
here are a couple of pics

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w402/tomb1/20160130_164548_zpsjpgtkzkw.jpg (http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/tomb1/media/20160130_164548_zpsjpgtkzkw.jpg.html)
http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w402/tomb1/20160417_173548%201_zpsbsyasjei.jpg (http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/tomb1/media/20160417_173548%201_zpsbsyasjei.jpg.html)

some times I zone it off for smaller cooks

[Music Junkie]

Tom:

Thanks for the pics, they are very helpful. I think I am on the right track. I am going to dry fit the block this weekend, and go look at the stone veneer. I'll backfill the interior with sand/soil, and lay the fire brick down. I'll come up the sides to the bottom of the frame, and lay a grate part way to let the ash fall out. I won't worry about a door for now. I am getting excited about the prospects.

At the same time, I am going to build some insets to place my gas grill, pellet grill, and weber kettle.

I have seen some great ideas floating around the site. The folks here have done some amazing things in their BBQ places.

Thanks again!