Beginner Need Major Help!!

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bcallahan20

Newbie
Original poster
Aug 30, 2013
4
10
Newark, IL
I would like to build a nice size patio reverse flow smoker.  It seems like I cannot Eat enough bbq.  I have no idea what size to even start with. I would like to use it for my family but on a occasion We have birthday parties for my 4 kids which there might be 40-50 people at.  I am a sales guy in a fab shop so I have access to 1/4, 3/16, 1/8" Steel.  Plus a good welder who will help me out.  I have no idea about dimensions or parts I need fabbed, anything of that nature.

Thanks for the help.
 
surf around the site and take a look at some of the many builds until something catches your eye, then go from there.

Most people start with a tank and that dictates what they will build.
 
Take a look around the forum for ones that fit your needs. I still a bit of newbie but something in the 75-150 gallon size would work. Cook chamber diameter would determine the width and height of your cooking area. My build is small 60 gals.. I'll be able to do 4 butts with room to spare. Most of my cooking will be family and occasional 50-60 party.

This is a great place to find answers. Ask questions... You'll get answers and many opinions.

Welcome to SMF!

RG
 
I would recommend buying a 5ft x 8ft sheet of 3/16" , Trim off a 40"x60" and a 20" x 60" and have them rolled into a 19.10" circle, That will leave you a 36" x 60" piece to cut your reverse flow plates and door braces out of.

A 40 inch long by 19.10" deep cooking chamber is plenty big for a patio, plus your firebox will be on the big side and will allow you to use it as a charcoal grill if you make it a top loader ( recommended on a round firebox)

Many people will argue that you should use 1/4", and thats fine, but 3/16" is just fine for this size smoker and a little easier to work with. To me 1/4" is more for a trailer build.

This one is 16" by 32" cooking chamber, 16" x 16" fire box,  just to give you an ideal.

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Look around at some of the smoker wed sites like Lang, Yoder etc. that way you can decide on what you like. Since you have access to the material ( I assume at a discount) and a welder that will help you that is half the battle. Figure out how much you will be cooking and for how many. No reason to build a huge smoker if you are only cooking for a few. These sites will have a lot of information as well as pictures. Also if you know anyone who has a RF you may want to cook on theirs a couple times to get the feel of what you want and how it cooks. I was in the steel erection business for over 35 years and have access to material. If you have the machines to roll and shear that is also a big plus.

If you type "smoker dimensions" in your search engine there are several good sites that all you do is put your dimensions in and it will tell you pretty much what you need to know about opening size, firebox size etc. The main thing is take your time do your research and build what you want. We usually start with a pierce of pipe or a tank (we don't have a roller) Once you figure out what you want to build there is an endless amount of information and people on this site willing to share their information and knowledge with you.

In order for your smoker to work like it it supposed to there are dimensions, openings and lengths that must be incorporated into your build.
 
Have you gotten any further with your plans?

Gary
 
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