The subtleties of charcoal cooking: how to choose the size of the barbecue
Content
What sizes depend on
When calculating the size of the barbecue for a barbecue, only its length is taken into account, because it depends on how many skewers can fit. But the width and depth are always made the same - 35 and 15 cm. There is no standard for the size of skewers, but in most cases manufacturers produce them 42 cm long from the base. That is why it is most convenient to use if the width of the barbecue is from 30 to 35 cm.
Video "Brazier from a gas cylinder, made by hand"
From this video you will learn how to make a brazier from an old gas cylinder with your own hands.
Optimal dimensions of a metal brazier
What should be the height of the entire structure, including the legs? In most cases, 1 meter is taken as the standard - it will be convenient to cook at this level, you will not need to squat or hunch over the brazier when turning the skewers, and your hands will not hurt either. Accordingly, the height of the legs is 80–85 cm.
As for the depth, its minimum level is 15 cm. Moreover, it is necessary to count not from the upper edge of the brazier, but precisely from the lower point of the line along which the notches for the skewers are made. The total height will turn out to be 16-17 cm. It is possible and deeper, but in this case the consumption of coal or firewood will increase during frying.
What is the distance between the skewers? 7 to 10 cm. It is in such a gap that meat will fit well, and a small air gap will remain. It is not worth making larger indents, because this will not affect the cooking itself, but the precious space for several skewers will be lost. A smaller distance will lead to the fact that there will be no air gap between the meat during frying, and it will not cook well on the sides.
And already based on the required number of skewers, you can calculate the length of the brazier. It is most convenient to work with barbecues from 60 to 120 cm long. Accordingly, they will fit about 10–20 skewers. These are the optimal dimensions for home barbecues. In professional ones, which are already used in all kinds of cafes, the ideal sizes are completely different. You should not be guided by them.
Another important parameter is the thickness of the brazier walls. If a brazier is made of steel, then the thickness of the metal should be 3 mm or more. The permissible service life directly depends on this indicator (calculated conditionally):
- 2 mm or less - such a brazier deforms rather quickly, even if only firewood is laid in it;
- 3 mm - the average service life is 10 years;
- 4 mm - 20 years old;
- 5 mm - 30 years.
And the last is the depth of the skewer slots. Optimum is 1 cm, gap width is 4 mm. Air holes are also made in the lower part. Better - narrow notches.
How to calculate dimensions for a custom oven
When calculating the dimensions of a non-standard furnace, it is necessary to focus on the following indicators:
- height from the bottom of the brazier to the skewers - 15 cm;
- barbecue width - from 30 to 35 cm;
- height of the "working" surface - 1 m;
- the distance between the skewers is from 7 to 10 cm.
All other sizes can be adjusted at your discretion, this will not affect the cooking process itself. You can only increase the width if you use some kind of elongated skewers, such as homemade ones.
And now barbecues from gas cylinders are extremely popular. Part of the wall is cut out in them, then installed on the legs. It turns out unusual and fully complies with the above recommendations for sizes. But you should not disassemble the cylinder yourself, having no experience with such objects, as it is quite dangerous.