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Smokers, Grills, Pitts & More => Show us your Smokers & Grills => Topic started by: bbqman73 on October 30, 2010, 10:22:41 pm

Title: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on October 30, 2010, 10:22:41 pm
Well, I got a little more work done today on my smoker project. I'm really trying to get it done and seasoned before Thanksgiving. There is still a lot of work left to do. I still need to build the firebox door, smoke outlet, upper cooking rack, and mount it to the trailer. All comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks for looking!!

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Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on October 30, 2010, 10:29:58 pm
Some earlier pics. I started with a 320 gallon propane tank and cut the length down. The smoke chamber is nearly 6 feet long and 30 inch diameter. I'll keep adding pics as I make more progress.

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Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: chefrob on October 30, 2010, 10:48:48 pm
pretty cool............should be a fun one to watch.
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Slow Fu on October 31, 2010, 08:46:04 am
Robert- Is that a forklift elevating the tank...it is not often I find two things to envy in the same photo.  Looks like a start on neat build...show us more my envy can't wait.  When cutting the bell off did you find it had been inserted some inches into the cylinder before the original welding? And did you find this out before or after the cutting?   Slow Fu
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: SmoknAZ on October 31, 2010, 09:14:29 am
Looking good! I will be doing the same except guessing my build will take quite a while. :'(
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Gizzy's Smokin Crew on October 31, 2010, 01:45:47 pm
Looking good so far. Can't wait to see the finished product
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on October 31, 2010, 07:59:15 pm
Robert- Is that a forklift elevating the tank...it is not often I find two things to envy in the same photo.  Looks like a start on neat build...show us more my envy can't wait.  When cutting the bell off did you find it had been inserted some inches into the cylinder before the original welding? And did you find this out before or after the cutting?   Slow Fu

When I cut the bell off I noticed there was a 1 inch wide metal band welded in behind it for extra strength....and unfortunately, I found this after I started cutting. Next time I will cut it differently.
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on October 31, 2010, 08:39:13 pm
 ;D I got a lttle morework done today. I finished the cooking racks, the firebox door(except for the air inlet), put a handle on smoke chamber door and started building the legs to mount smoker to a trailer...Here are a few more pics. Enjoy!!!

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Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: n2dabluebbq on November 03, 2010, 10:18:29 pm
looks like it is coming along just fine.
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: PAT YOUNG on November 04, 2010, 12:45:38 am
BRIAN, looks good ! Are you going to split the door and or use counter weights? I built mine a few years ago and wish that i had split the door!! Or at least my back does! :)
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: AzQer on November 04, 2010, 07:05:38 am
Very nice smoker there Brian can't wait to see it in action.
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 04, 2010, 08:49:04 pm
BRIAN, looks good ! Are you going to split the door and or use counter weights? I built mine a few years ago and wish that i had split the door!! Or at least my back does! :)
I'm probably gonna use counterweights. I'm hoping to get the rest of it built and ready for thanksgiving and then work on the weights after. I totally agree with your back because that door is heavy...LOL!!! Thanks
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 04, 2010, 08:52:12 pm
Very nice smoker there Brian can't wait to see it in action.
Thank you!!! I can't wait to use it and all the guys at work want me to hurry up so they can borrow it(I knew that was gonna happen).
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Trailhound on November 05, 2010, 08:32:01 am
I think I would have split the door just to help with keeping heat in the pit.
I built one of my pits with only one door and now I'm going back and reworking it to have two doors.
My new pit has two doors in it and I'm liking the way it keeps heat in.

just my 2 cents
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 05, 2010, 03:28:50 pm
I think I would have split the door just to help with keeping heat in the pit.
I built one of my pits with only one door and now I'm going back and reworking it to have two doors.
My new pit has two doors in it and I'm liking the way it keeps heat in.

just my 2 cents
I struggled with that decision when I was cutting the door out. I knew that if I cut a single door it would be easy to change later so that it has 2 overlapping doors and I'm still considering it. I just want to try it first and see how well it does. This is my first smoker build and I'm learning as I go. Thank you for the input.
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 06, 2010, 06:26:24 pm
Put it on a trailer today. now time to sand blast, install smoke outlet, air inlet, and paint.

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Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 08, 2010, 04:10:41 pm
scored a chrome stack for the smoker. what do ya think???

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Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Gizzy's Smokin Crew on November 08, 2010, 04:11:54 pm
Looking Good ;D
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: DanMan on November 08, 2010, 06:37:00 pm
I'm jealous
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: AzQer on November 08, 2010, 09:17:44 pm
Looks like it is coming along great keep us posted
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Trailhound on November 09, 2010, 08:42:47 am
I like the chrome stack
Can I ask are you going to mount it where the photo shows it?
Why not mount it on top of the cooker back by the fire box end and make it a reverse flow?

I love to see people making their own smokers I had a blast making my first one.

Timm

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Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Trailhound on November 09, 2010, 08:55:29 am
I struggled with that decision when I was cutting the door out. I knew that if I cut a single door it would be easy to change later so that it has 2 overlapping doors and I'm still considering it. I just want to try it first and see how well it does. This is my first smoker build and I'm learning as I go. Thank you for the input.

I know what you mean I to struggled with the design of my door, one door or two.
If you are any thing like me each time you use it you will come up with new ideas of how you could change things.
As I think I said before I'm going to change mine to a two door cooker.
I also found out that I had more then enough room between the cooking racks about 10" so I added a third rack in the center. The top rack still has 10" of clearness above it for the big meat.

Timm

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Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: squealers on November 09, 2010, 11:15:33 am

I also found out that I had more then enough room between the cooking racks about 10" so I added a third rack in the center. The top rack still has 10" of clearness above it for the big meat.

Timm

hey Timm,

what is the space between your shelf now?
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Trailhound on November 09, 2010, 11:25:21 am
between the bottom and middle rack there is 4 1/2" and the same between the middle and top rack.
The top rack to the the top of the cooker there is 9-10"

hope this helps
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 09, 2010, 04:28:22 pm
I like the chrome stack
Can I ask are you going to mount it where the photo shows it?
Why not mount it on top of the cooker back by the fire box end and make it a reverse flow?

I love to see people making their own smokers I had a blast making my first one.

Timm
I'm gonna mount it where the pic shows and see how it goes. There is already a large hole in that end from where I cut out the propane guage. I've never used a reverse flow and I've read mixed feelings about them. Some say they heat more evenly than the standard flow and some say they are a pain to tune. I guess that's the way it goes with everything. Some like Ford and some like Chevy...LOL!!! I've really enjoyed this build (and all the positive comments from AZBarbequers) so who knows....I might build another one that is reverse flow and see which one I like best( just don't tell my wife...LOL)!!! We have a local propane company with a large variety of used tanks for sale. The possibilities are endless.
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 09, 2010, 04:37:09 pm
I know what you mean I to struggled with the design of my door, one door or two.
If you are any thing like me each time you use it you will come up with new ideas of how you could change things.
As I think I said before I'm going to change mine to a two door cooker.
I also found out that I had more then enough room between the cooking racks about 10" so I added a third rack in the center. The top rack still has 10" of clearness above it for the big meat.

Timm
Wow..cool!!! I like the third shelf. I'm already thinking about adding one on my smoker. When I built the racks I wasn't sure how much room I needed so I spaced them by what I thought "looked" good. I have 10" between the bottom and top rack.  Thanks for the info!!
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Trailhound on November 09, 2010, 04:44:08 pm
You did the same thing I did 10 inches looked good. I found out I didn't need that much space. The 3rd rack took me from 20 sq. Feet of cooking area up to 30 sq. Feet. I can now cook 36 full racks of spareribs at one time.

Keep posting love to see updates.
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 21, 2010, 04:54:46 pm
Fresh paint today.   Now I gotta figure out how to put it back on the trailer without scratching it up....LOL!!!! :laugh: :question:

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Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Trailhound on November 21, 2010, 05:25:40 pm
Looken good what color is the trailer going to be.
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 21, 2010, 05:32:35 pm
Looken good what color is the trailer going to be.

For now it's gonna stay purple. I'll do something different when I have more time. Gotta be ready 4 thanksgiving!!!!
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Buzzards Circle N on November 21, 2010, 06:25:04 pm
Does the exhaust out the side in the middle of the smoker work well? Does allot of soot build up in the top? Just curious it looks great!
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 21, 2010, 06:30:24 pm
Does the exhaust out the side in the middle of the smoker work well? Does allot of soot build up in the top? Just curious it looks great!

Thank you!!! I've been told that it works better and heats more evenly. I'll build the first fire in it tomorrow..so I'm keepin my fingers crossed.
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 22, 2010, 10:05:01 am
Back on the trailer. I'm gonna install the thermometers today and build the first fire. After thanksgiving I'll build the shelf on the front and add a box to the trailer for extra wood.

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Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 22, 2010, 12:52:07 pm
fired it up!!!

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Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Trailhound on November 22, 2010, 01:06:47 pm
Looks good put some meat it are you seasoning it today too. 
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 22, 2010, 01:30:07 pm
Looks good put some meat it are you seasoning it today too. 
Yeah. I'm gonna try!!  Thanks!!
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: PAT YOUNG on November 24, 2010, 07:32:34 pm
Brian, what kind of trailer is that? BTW the cooker looks great!
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: AZWildcat on November 24, 2010, 10:05:28 pm
Sweeeet.
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: squealers on November 25, 2010, 08:58:50 am

Looks great! really slick!
let us know how things go when you fire up. I does take time before you can really see the performance of a smoker. It may hold temp empty, but what matter is how it behave full of meat. finger cross!

cheers
 
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 29, 2010, 05:09:51 pm
Finally fired up the new smoker at the dunes for Thanksgiving. Sorry, I forgot to take pics!!  First cook: 9 pound brisket, two 7 pound turkey breasts, stuffed porkloin, bbq baked beans, and an 8 pound pork shoulder. Brisket didn't turn out very well. It had a nice smoke ring and good flavor but was dry and a little tough. Pork shoulder, turkey and beans were AWESOME...just the right amount of smoke and super moist and tender. Stuffed porkloin had a great flavor but a little dry. I guess I'll just keep practicing and using the family for testing purposes... LOL!! Hope you all had a great thanksgiving...keep on smokin!!

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Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Trailhound on November 29, 2010, 05:17:46 pm
Practicing is always good however if your family is like mine they are sick of BBQ after 10 months of practice.
Next time you cook on it post the some photos.

Trailhound
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: bbqman73 on November 29, 2010, 08:07:55 pm
Practicing is always good however if your family is like mine they are sick of BBQ after 10 months of practice.
Next time you cook on it post the some photos.

Trailhound
Ok, I will post photos next time. I hope they never get tired of practice BBQ because I don't have any replacement test dummies!!! LOL!!
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Trailhound on November 29, 2010, 08:19:08 pm
We put on two big BBQ dinners a year for friends & family one in May and the other in November we ask for donation to help pay for the food and ask them to score and give us reviews on the BBQ. Its a lot of work but you can get good feed back and make a littel money at the same time.

My 2 cents

Trailhound
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: squealers on November 30, 2010, 10:12:59 am
Ok, I will post photos next time. I hope they never get tired of practice BBQ because I don't have any replacement test dummies!!! LOL!!

I do my practices a touch differently.

I ask people if they want brisket, butts etc...
then I cook it and tell them to come pick it up that afternoon. I only charge them the cost of the meat and the deal is I have to take a slice of everything so I can see my work progress....

it only cost me coals/wood and flavor stuff...

good deal for everyone!

cheers
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: Trailhound on December 02, 2010, 09:18:27 am
I try to do a practice cook about once a month infact I'm doing one on the 11 or 12 of December.
Just pork butt and brisket, maybe some chicken to see how the pit works with the new insulated fire box.
Also to work on time frame for the long cooks Butt & Brisket.

Trailhound
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: DStew on October 06, 2011, 07:45:45 pm
Great work and I echo the earlier post, I rarely find two things to drool over in the same photo (forklift and a Smoker.)   That's like Pam Anderson (10 years ago) with a bratwurst in her hand but I digress.     I want to see more photos too as this thing heads towards completion and first smoke.   How big is the firebox?     Great looking Smoker.  Great job.

I also ran into that inner steel band where the end caps get welded on.   Sucked.   But I was committed and just kept going.

Daryl
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: IRONHORSE BBQ on October 07, 2011, 08:09:58 am
Looks good Brian make sure you save all remnants that you cut off, work great for mods.

Marv
Title: Re: trying to build a smoker
Post by: DStew on October 07, 2011, 08:28:07 am
Would love to see some shots of the firebox door and how you sealed it (what gasket, etc) was used.  That firebox door can be a pain and I am working on my firebox door right now too so maybe I can gleen some knowledge from you. 

Thanks again and love the scale of your smoker,  SICK

Daryl