I love BBQ! I've got some tools! I kinda have to build one, don't I ?

jarjarchef · Sep 23, 2012

Amazing build!

I am gathering the mats for a build of my own. I was looking at the paint you used. How is it holding up? Fire box and the orange are what have me the most curious.

Again great job and thank you for all of your details. I will be " borrowing" some ideas....... :biggrin:

bubbonehead · Sep 24, 2012

Thank you. The Orange paint has actually started fading as it sits in direct sunlight all the time. I haven't had a chance to try yet but I think a little polishing compound should bring it back to life. I've moved it just under the edge of the roof over my back patio to help protect it. Long range I will extend the roof out over the spot where I want to keep the smoker. The paint on the firebox is holding up very well. Thanks again!

okiedave · Sep 24, 2012

Love the table; I may have to steal that idea. I'm even more intrigued with your RF plate, though. I'm doing a small-ish (24" dia x 55" long) smoker, and I've been avoiding the idea of the drip channel because I really don't want to cut up my 3/8" plate, especially not to weld in a skinny little piece of angle. Your bent plate, though...I love it. How's it working out? How did you figure pre-bending dimensions? How deep did you groove behind the bends, and how wide was the kerf? I'm toying with scoring on top instead of on the bottom, then welding it back up to keep the shape.

What do you figure the weight to be? With the material I'm using for mine (all 3/8" plate), and a double-walled firebox, I'm expecting it to come in at about 1500 lb. I can't imagine yours is any less than that, given that you're using 1/2" plate, even without the double-walled firebox.

bubbonehead · Sep 25, 2012

OkieDave said:
Love the table; I may have to steal that idea. I'm even more intrigued with your RF plate, though. I'm doing a small-ish (24" dia x 55" long) smoker, and I've been avoiding the idea of the drip channel because I really don't want to cut up my 3/8" plate, especially not to weld in a skinny little piece of angle. Your bent plate, though...I love it. How's it working out? How did you figure pre-bending dimensions? How deep did you groove behind the bends, and how wide was the kerf? I'm toying with scoring on top instead of on the bottom, then welding it back up to keep the shape.

What do you figure the weight to be? With the material I'm using for mine (all 3/8" plate), and a double-walled firebox, I'm expecting it to come in at about 1500 lb. I can't imagine yours is any less than that, given that you're using 1/2" plate, even without the double-walled firebox.

It works great! I didn't like the idea of welding a piece of angle down the center either. This way no matter where something drips, it takes the most direct path to the drain. Basically I cut the plate to fit the inside dimension of the tank at the level I wanted the highest end. I made the bends over a one and a quarter O.D. tube. So when upside down on my table, what would be the high end sat down flush on the table. The other end looked like a tent with the center 1.25" off the table. Of coarse this made the bent end slightly narrower. Well the inside dimension of the tank got narrower at about the same rate at this level. It worked great. The low end of my plate is 1.5" lower than the high end. The groove I cut to help keep my bends where I wanted them is roughly half way through.

I figured weight assuming a 12" by 12" by .25" piece of steel weighing 10 pounds. Before I built the trailer I think I was around 1700 to 1800 pounds. I need to pull it across a scale.

parman · Dec 4, 2012

I was looking to stop the leakage of smoke and heat from the cooking chamber lid. Tomorrow I'll try to locate some of the silicone gasket maker. I would guess almost all auto supply stores would care the product? How do you think the silicone would do on the fire chamber lid?

If not the silicone maker what would you recommend?

Thanks for the pics and you've a great looking pit!

bubbonehead · Dec 4, 2012

Thank you Parman. Yes, any auto parts store should carry the Permatex. If you feel you need to seal the firebox door I would suggest a stove rope gasket.

Check this out this link,

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=pd_sl_z...ve+rope+gasket&ie=UTF8&psrk=stove+gasket+rope

Honestly though, I don't see it necessary to do so. Once you've got your fire going a well designed smoker should draft toward the cook chamber. Meaning that any small cracks would act as a fresh air inlet and be small enough to still be controllable by the air inlet dampeners.

griff · Dec 6, 2012

Wow! Like the others have already said, you have some serious skills and have done an amazing job. Well done, sir!

I've been through all the materials and labor and calculated the cost of this smoker....PRICELESS!

Griff

circuit smoker · Jun 11, 2013

Bubbonehead - I read thru all your build and am really impressed. You are a skilled craftsman. I especially like the weed torch you installed for a fire starter. I am planning on a smoker that will be stationary and have a natural gas line next to where it will sit. Does the same weed torch work with natural gas or are there modifications that need to be made?

bubbonehead · Jun 12, 2013

I'm not sure. I know that a gas stove needs a different orifice when switching between natural gas and propane. But something like this isn't nearly as critical and may work just fine. Maybe someone else on here will chime in with a more knowledgeable answer.

daveomak · Jun 12, 2013

Circuit Smoker said:
Bubbonehead - I read thru all your build and am really impressed. You are a skilled craftsman. I especially like the weed torch you installed for a fire starter. I am planning on a smoker that will be stationary and have a natural gas line next to where it will sit. Does the same weed torch work with natural gas or are there modifications that need to be made?

They use different orifices.... The gas / air mixture will not be correct..... The line pressure is not the same.....

Dave

bubbonehead · Jun 13, 2013

I had a feeling Dave would have the answer to that question. A true wealth of knowledge. Thank you sir.

jarjarchef · Jun 13, 2013

edit to embeded link.... DaveOmak...
Not sure if the link worked or not. Trying to do this on a tablet.

The link is for a YouTube Channel for The Grill Father. He has a video on how to convert the LP and Natural Gas systems. They also sell conversion kits on their web site.

Not sure if they are the cheapest, but it is a start.

usmcrob · Aug 24, 2013

Thank you sooooo much for the play-by-play of the build!! It looks AMAZING!! I can't wait to tackle something like this myself!!

cooltex24 · May 25, 2014

Great looking smoker!! Is there any way you could get some better pics of the latch on the firebox? I have been looking for a good way to hold mine closed. It's the last part I need to finish. Thanks!!

Scott

jaydog559 · May 26, 2014

That is a nice looking smoker very nice

bubbonehead · May 26, 2014

IMG_20140526_084831549_HDR[1].jpg

bubbonehead
May 26, 2014

IMG_20140526_084935981[1].jpg

bubbonehead
May 26, 2014

Please ignore the rust. If I remember correctly this came off a bar clamp.

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