Topic: Hello

[JigsUK]

Hi Guys,

New to the forums here, found them when looking for information on Tandoors.

I prefer BBQ'ing over making curries.  Don't get me wrong I still love a good curry. But there's something almost primal that I'm sure all men can relate to when BBQ'ing meats.

Anyways for years I've been using a conventional box bbq (Indian style), which was given to me by my uncle. Who, incidentally, also taught me how to cook using it.  I had previously seen Heston Blumenthal make a home style Tandoor which had always tempted me to make one. But it just looked like a bit too much faffing around.

Recently my cousin (who also shares my love of BBQ'ing) showed me a YouTube video of someone who made one using plant pots. Excited by the thought of making something so simple and not too expensive we set about making one.  In all it cost me a little over ?50 and about an hour to build.

All I can say it the results have been amazing. Juicy tender meat which melts in your mouth. So much so that I really can't imagine not cooking in one again! It really is a world of a difference.

The only problem is that it has started to crack. I'm not sure how many more uses I'll get out of it 
That plus the fact that it's too small to make Naan in.

With this in mind I've started looking out for a proper Tandoor. I've seen a few people on here have one of the Puri Tandoors. I want to find out how you're getting on with them and if you've had second thoughts about buying one.

Thanks for reading.

[Sverige]

Hi Jigs and welcome.

A diy home build tandoor is something of a dream of mine too, and your experience sounds pretty valuable. Do you think yours cracked because water got into the insulation layer?  I've read that water can cause thermal stress because it prevents the outside of the inner pot expanding as much As the inside of that pot, leading to cracks. Not sure how a tandoor stored outside can avoid having moisture in it though.

Commercial products are all very well but nothing appeals to me like one I could build myself. With your experience to date I wonder if you have ideas for a self built tandoor which would last in the long term?

[JigsUK]

Hi Sverige.

To be honest with you I'm not sure why it cracked. I don't think water got into the insulation layer as I had kept it covered. I personally thought it was maybe just due to expansion because of the high heat.

The pots are also just normal garden pots. I think some thicker heavy duty pots might be better. When I was looking for the outer layer pot I did see some heavy duty ones but they were not cheap. As this was just an experiment I couldn't justify spending lots on it. Hence the reason why I went for the ordinary pots.

The basically all pots have cracks in them now, both inner and outer. But it's still holding together. My cousin thinks that it should be ok to keep going as the cracks have expanded the pots and hopefully they shouldn't crack anymore.


I've seen some amazing proper home made Tandoors. I'll dig out the links and post them for you.
I don't have the time, patience or skills to make the ones i've seen. But if you do you'd be on to a winner.

[mickdabass]

Hi Jigs

Got mine from Spices of India. Had it for a few years and its still as good as new. Seem to remember it was a bit cheaper than puri too

Regards

Mick

[JigsUK]

Thanks Mick 

I actually ended up ordering one from Puri earlier on this afternoon. I just couldn't resist, unfortunately I don't have much self control when I get into my head that I really need something  ;D Well that's how I try to justify it to myself.

Got any tips or tricks you've learnt since buying and using yours?