New to the forum. Want to build my own smoker, but which one?

jaketruck · Dec 26, 2011

I'm new to the forum. My brother in law and I both enjoy cooking and smoking. He mentioned buying a new smoker, and that got me thinking about building one which in turn led me to this forum. I can handle all the metal work, I just need to know what type of smoker we need and a little guidance. Thanks in advance.

SmokinAl · Dec 27, 2011

I would start simple with a UDS. They are easy to build and produce great Q.

boykjo · Dec 27, 2011

What al said.................

Heres the link to uds builds

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/199/uds-builds

Good luck and Welcome to SMF

Joe

fpnmf · Dec 27, 2011

Welcome..

This site has tons of info.

I suggest you spend some time reading all the different forums and the WIKIs.

Ask questions and use the handy dandy search tool for specific interests!!

Take the awesome free E-Course!!!

Have a great day!!!

Craig

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/about-jeffs-5-day-ecourse

Make bacon the easy way!!

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/109368/more-easy-made-bacon-with-q-view#post_666451

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/82034/how-to-post-qview-to-smf

mballi3011 · Dec 27, 2011

First off welcome to SMF. The UDS is a good and easy build choice. You'll really like this place for there are a bunch of really good folks here that would just love to help you with just about anything to do with smoking meat. Then if you have any questions you just post them here or yu can try in chat for a faster answer. If you are really new to all of this I would recommend that you look up and take the e-course. It is free and it will also give you the basics on smoking. So with all that said now go and get something to smoke.

Welcome To Your New Addiction

roller · Dec 27, 2011

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your new build....

jaketruck · Dec 27, 2011

I'm definately gonna look into the e course. Not new to smoking meat by any means, Or to metal work. I just hadnt ever decided to build a smoker. But now I've decided to do it and make it my winter project. I'm looking for the best setup for a backyard but big enough to turn out quite a bit of meat. Because if your gonna fire it up you might as well throw on all you can. Like many of you, we often smoke our cut and whatever the friends and neighbors want to bring over. Then we eat on it for a week. I also have a problem, I admit. I tend to go overboard on my projects but thats how I am and can't change it so that said Lets pick me out a project!

big casino · Dec 27, 2011

welcome to the forum, there is a ton of info on smoker builds good luck

sprky · Dec 27, 2011

First off

to SMF. You have come to the right place for smoking info. This site is loaded with great info just use the search bar at top of page to find what you are looking for. If you can't locate the answer just ask folks here are willing to share there knowledge. I suggest you check out the 5 day e-course on smoking its chuck full of great info. Smoking Basics 5-Day eCourse

There are so many builds I have no idea what to recommend to you. Th UDS is a good 1, but on the other hand there are others that may fit your need better, I just don't know. My recommendation is brows the builds and see what fits your needs.

bubbonehead · Dec 29, 2011

Well, for what my 2 cents is worth I'm sold on the Reverse Flow design. You can go as big or as small as you want. Right up an "over-doers" alley.

Here's a link to mine. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...t-some-tools-i-kinda-have-to-build-one-dont-i

Welcome to SMF.

daveomak · Dec 29, 2011

Here is a build that has almost every engineering problem solved....

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/104979/rear-facing-reverse-flow-barbecue-trailer/140

Here is Solaryellow's build

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/105448/rf-build-in-slow-motion-phase-1-complete/60

Here are several types of smoker design concepts that will get you going too

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/54542/building-an-italian-offset-smoker

Now HANG ON.. this is my all time favorite build by Rubbin Butts... Only because of the carousel.... I'm gonna build a carousel for my smoker soon.... they are way too cool...

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/104220/my-new-build

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/106876/new-build-finally-finished

Dave

jaketruck · Jan 3, 2012

Wow what alot of information to process. All of these replies has helped me a great deal and help me to formulate my rough direction. I think I will build one as similar as I can to the Lang 48" or maybe 60". Originally I was thinking along the lines of it be a fixture to my patio. But now I like the idea of it being on a trailer for a couple of reasons. Firstly, because you can take it with you obviously, but second because when not in use I can back it under the barn offering it shelter and freeing up my yard. I called a place today that will roll the sheetmetal for me, a big help and pretty cost effective. I may have them cut the door out as well. Their labor is only $50 dollars an hour which is unheard of. I can handle everything else and still call it my own. Any opinions on what length I should choose? Also is 3/16" sufficient for the smoker itself, and 1/4 for the firebox of course.

One parting question.....The man at the fab shop said he has built several smokers. He prefers a square or rectangular smoker. He asked me why would I go round if I had the choice. I didn't have an answer, so why do we go round?

bubbonehead · Jan 4, 2012

I suspect he is speaking from the standpoint of fabrication. It's easier to work with flat surfaces. I personally feel that air movement is move efficient in a container without corners. I also suspect the reason for seeing more round smokers built is based on availibility of material. Meaning the most cost efficient way for most of us to start is a used tank of some sort. Those are my bonehead thoughts anyway.

clyde79 · Jan 4, 2012

spend a sat morning at the local scrap yard you'd be surprised what comes in might even spark an idea

frosty · Jan 4, 2012

boykjo said:
What al said.................

Heres the link to uds builds

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/199/uds-builds

Good luck and Welcome to SMF

Joe

What Al said! It gets you going, they are cost effective, and then you can move up if you choose.

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