STAGE ONE The first stage is to find an old oil drum and cut off the top. The main consideration to take into account when choosing the drum size is to consider how small the interior will be once you have lined both the sides and bottom of the drum with cement. If the drum is too small, when you place your chickens into the drum they will be to close to the hot coals and burn on the outside and remain raw on the inside. The size of the drum needs to be tall enough to allow you to suspend your chickens about one foot from the hot coals. After selecting a suitable sized drum burn out any oily residue that may be remaining inside. Once you have a clean container, you are ready to put the casters on. I recommend putting wheels on because of the amount of cement involved, it can get heavy.

STAGE TWO Cut a hole in the side of the drum about 3 inches from the bottom, this is to allow the ashes to be removed, also for the ventilation for the charcoals. The metal that is removed from the side can be then attached with the hinges allowing you to be able to control the flow of air to the charcoal.

STAGE THREE Once all the preparations are in place, you are ready for the cement. I applied general-purpose cement mixed with broken glass for heat retention. These first layers were applied gradually building up a lineing to the container. You will have to apply very little to start with to ensure the cement sticks to the sides. Once you have a thin film of hardend cement firmly stuck to the sides you can apply larger amounts. I never found I had to lie the drum on its side like a lot of people have been asking. Providing you apply the concreate in thin layers allowing time for them to harden before applying the next layer you will have no problems with the concreate sticking to the sides of the drum.

STAGE FOUR The next stage is to apply the fire resistant clay (in my case fire cement). This should be applied with a little more care so you end up with a good finish to enable you to stick your dough to. Now depending on the size of the oil drum you started with, you should still have a hole large enough to place the charcoal and your skewers loaded with your favourite marinated chicken into. You can place your karahi or pan over the entrance to the tandoor and cook your favourite vegetable masala at the same time as cooking your tandoori chicken.

STAGE FIVE Finally give it a lick of paint, and wait for the weather to improve and you have the best B-B-Q in town. One last tip. I place a screwed up ball of chicken wire at the bottom of the tandoor and then place my charcoal on top of the wire. This allows for a better air flow through the hole in the side of the tandoor and up through the wire and over the coals and creates a very hot tandoor oven.