Homemade Tandoor

[Obese-Wan Kenobi]

Hi,

I thought some of you might be interested in this backyard Tandoor oven I made at my house.

Well, here it is in pictures:

Started with a base of firebrick. An inverted clay pot (the biggest one I could find), and cut off the bottom part. Reinforced the pot with fireclay mortar (in case the temps got too much for the pot; so far no cracks).

Now I have the pot enclosed in a square housing made of hollow blocks and insulated with perlite and sand (loose). It's important to insulate so the heat you worked so hard to accumulate does not escape. The "bricks" are just for decoration. They're not real bricks.

It's all done. It took me and 2 Masons 1 week to complete.

Here's the side vent for air (to keep the coals burning) and for cleaning out ashes.

The opening to stick the skewers in and cook the food.

My skewers and spit. All homemade (machine shopped).

A close up of my skewer and spit.

Getting the fire started

Full blast! 500 degrees Centigrade.

Well, hope you can come over for some Tandoor cooking!

Regards!

Edited October 19, 2006 by Obese-Wan Kenobi (log)

[Marco_Polo]

Wonderful project! Bravo. It looks great. Look forward to seeing some pics of the cooked results.

[Grub]

Beautiful. Absolutely fantastic. And yeah, I look forward to seeing what you cook in that thing, too.

[docsconz]

Nicely done and thanks for sharing! Have you used it yet? What are you using for fuel - obviously wood, but any particular kind?

What time is dinner?

[Obese-Wan Kenobi]

Thanks!

I use charcoal for fuel. You can mix in wood for some smokey flavor. I've tried it a few times. I don't know how to say the variety in English. They are probably indigenous trees here.

I use it all the time! At least once a week. This Sunday I'll have some family over and I'll snap some shots.

Regards!

[Gabriel Lewis]

What a beautiful tandoor, I am very envious.

What have you made in it so far and how have you found using it? I think I remeber you saying you haven't made naan in the other tandoor thread as you are hesitant about sticking your hand into a 500 degree oven, maybe some full length heat proof gloves?

[Obese-Wan Kenobi]

Thanks Gabriel,

You can do one too! It's worth the effort

I love using it! It's a great family/party centerpiece. Nice topic of conversation. Fast food. It takes about one and a half hours to get to temperature though. But a whole chicken cooks in 15 mins.

I've made ground beef and lamb sheesh kebab (the one you have to mold on the skewer), Tandoori chicken, Malai Chicken tikka, Tuna tandoori, Cambodian meatballs, whole garlic chicken on the spit, cochinillo on the spit, lechal on the spit.

Yes, I haven't stuck my hand in there. I tried but I can't last for more than 2 seconds. My arm hairs get burnt and it's way too hot. Even taking that picture was uncomfortable. I'll look for some full length heatproof gloves -- good idea!

Regards!

[Episure]

Nice work, OB1

Keep a pail of water to wet your arms before lowering them inside, that should make your task easier.

What was the weight of the Lechal ?

Edited October 20, 2006 by Episure (log)

[jrobin]

I just LOVE gadgets like that! That is amazing. I've always wondered how people get naan slapped on the inside of something so hot.

Just curious- is it a problem to have it so close to the house?

Jennifer

[Obese-Wan Kenobi]

Episure,

Thank you for the advise. I will try that next time.

I can't remember the weight of the Lechal, but I would guess 3-4 kg.

jrobin,

It's no problem that close to the house. That is what the insulation is for. The heat stays within the confines of the pot and escapes only through the top hole. It gets hot around it, but it doesn't pass the hollow block housing. Do you notice that gas tank next to it? No problem as well.

Namaste.

[bigbrowncow]

Lovely work!

Are you going to try making naans or is it just too hot in there?

Steve

[Sam Salmon]

.... use it all the time!  At least once a week.  This Sunday I'll have some family over and I'll snap some shots.

←

Wonderful!

Thanks so much for sharing-very much looking forward to followups!

[scubadoo97]

always amazed at the abilities of fellow egullet members. Kudos on such a fine looking tandoor and I can't wait to see pictures of the food that comes out of it.

[matt_smith]

bravo for doing it, and double-bravo for doing it yourself.

MUCH cooler than buying one, no? i think the food tastes better if it's on the far end of some clever engineering.

can't wait to see what comes out of it!

[Daznz]

Wow im keen to make one of those.... yea some nice long welding gloves would be good to get the naan in there.

Nice work wheres the food pics

Dale