Starting a 30 gal offset

ruralearl

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 22, 2007

29

11

N. E. IL

• Jul 24, 2014

• #21

Hello,  A little more progress:

Got some wheels on

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• ruralearl
• Jul 24, 2014

Grates & supports, forgot to put reverse plate in before putting grate supports, just barely got the plate in without having to take the supports out.  Used 1/2" x 16-18 expanded metal, but thinking that 3/4" x 14-16 would have been better, well maybe next time except there's enough left over for a couple more next times.

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• ruralearl
• Jul 24, 2014

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• ruralearl
• Jul 24, 2014

Put 1" of refractory mix in bottom of firebox

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• ruralearl
• Jul 24, 2014

Laying out shelf for front & end

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• ruralearl
• Jul 24, 2014

Regards,  Earl

 

ruralearl

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 22, 2007

29

11

N. E. IL

• Aug 4, 2014

• #22

Update: 

Finished upper grate

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• ruralearl
• Aug 4, 2014

Put expanded metal for bottom shelf

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• ruralearl
• Aug 4, 2014

Welding shelf for front & end

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• ruralearl
• Aug 4, 2014

Attaching shelf supports

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• ruralearl
• Aug 4, 2014

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• ruralearl
• Aug 4, 2014

Made the shelf removable so it will be easier to tarp when not in use

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• ruralearl
• Aug 4, 2014

Regards,  Earl

 

Last edited: Aug 4, 2014

ultralow787

Fire Starter

Apr 23, 2014

56

15

Mono, Ontario, Canada

• Aug 11, 2014

• #23

Nice work!

That thing is going to be a beast of a smoker! What size chimney pipe are you using?

I like the insulation ideas.

 

ruralearl

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 22, 2007

29

11

N. E. IL

• Aug 11, 2014

• #24

Hi Ultra,  Thanks, will weigh the thing when (if) it's done, been getting razzed about having to reinforce the deck it's going on.  The chimney is aluminum 4" dia by about 24" ex-grain spout made removable to make it easier to tarp the thing.  The insulation is definitely an experiment, will post opinion on the outcome.  Regards,  Earl

 

ruralearl

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 22, 2007

29

11

N. E. IL

• Aug 25, 2014

• #25

Hello,  Paint, thermo, valves for drain & blower.  Next stop a trial run.  Thanks to all who posted much useful information.  Regards,  Earl

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• ruralearl
• Aug 25, 2014

Forgot, need to seal the lid, probably use red silicone & plastic wrap system.

 

Last edited: Aug 25, 2014

ruralearl

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 22, 2007

29

11

N. E. IL

• Aug 28, 2014

• #26

Hi,  Got the lid sealed, forgot whose idea this was.  Used scotch tape instead of saran wrap, which worked well. 

Tape applied.

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• ruralearl
• Aug 28, 2014

Used red hi-temp silicone.  This shows upper cured bead and freshly applied on side & bottom.

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• ruralearl
• Aug 28, 2014

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• ruralearl
• Aug 28, 2014

Regards,  Earl

 

ruralearl

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 22, 2007

29

11

N. E. IL

• Aug 31, 2014

• #27

Hi,  Gave it a try today, oiled up with pam:

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• ruralearl
• Aug 31, 2014

Started with too big a fire maybe for the firebox which is a little oversize.  Anyway it ran a little hot at 300F.  Stack is a little tall also.

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• ruralearl
• Aug 31, 2014

 I guess it's fire for effect next time.  Regards,  Earl

 

lendecatural

Smoking Fanatic

May 4, 2013

688

49

Decatur, Alabama

• Aug 31, 2014

• #28

Sounds like you are up and running and your CC seal is working great! You will figure out what she likes in no time and I have a feeling it will hold temperature well once you do.

 

daveomak

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Nov 12, 2010

27,123

4,979

Omak,Washington,U.S.A.

• Aug 31, 2014

• #29

ruralearl said:

Hi,  Gave it a try today, oiled up with pam:


Started with too big a fire maybe for the firebox which is a little oversize.  Anyway it ran a little hot at 300F.  Stack is a little tall also.


 I guess it's fire for effect next time.  Regards,  Earl

Click to expand...

Earl, close down the lower air intake to control the fire.... open the upper air inlet to move the heat and/or lower the temp in the CC.... Play with it.... It will take time to figure it out....

 

ruralearl

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 22, 2007

29

11

N. E. IL

• Sep 1, 2014

• #30

Len,  The seal looked pretty good, didn't see smoke leaking around the lid.

Dave,  OK, will try that next time, probably read that somewhere in your posts & promptly forgot it.

Thank you,  Earl

 

gary s

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jan 6, 2011

26,255

4,705

• Sep 1, 2014

• #31

Good morning, It sure turned out nice. These thing are pretty efficient, really don't need a big fire, I start out with my top vent and lower vent wide open, after I get a good steady fire and it comes up to temp, I set my top vent about 1/2 open and the bottom vent about a 1/3rd open. It took a little playing around and a few cooks but now it's just routine . The other day I started with about 2/3 of a chimney and about the same amount in my smoker basket and one split, never added any more charcoal just a split every couple of hours , held at 225º all day.   Hope this helps

Gary S

 

ruralearl

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 22, 2007

29

11

N. E. IL

• Sep 1, 2014

• #32

Hi Gary,  Thank you.  Yes, very helpful, more to get the hang of it than I thought. Had a pretty big fire stoked up.  Will use your & Dave's suggestions  the next time out.  Regards,  Earl 

 

ruralearl

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 22, 2007

29

11

N. E. IL

• Sep 19, 2014

• #33

Hello,  Temperatures held pretty well, lower is right side & upper is left side.  The sensors were laying on the bottom rack.

 

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• ruralearl
• Sep 19, 2014

Have checked the thermo in the lid with boiling water.

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• ruralearl
• Sep 19, 2014

Smoke barely visible

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• ruralearl
• Sep 19, 2014

Made a cover out of a tarp

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• ruralearl
• Sep 19, 2014

Thanks for the help from many threads.  Regards,  Earl

 

lendecatural

Smoking Fanatic

May 4, 2013

688

49

Decatur, Alabama

• Sep 19, 2014

• #34

Sooo.... What are you cooking this weekend??  That is a really nice looking smoker, she turned out very nice!

 

wolfman1955

Master of the Pit

Nov 17, 2013

1,054

47

Chillicothe, Ohio

• Sep 20, 2014

• #35

Very nice build!! You will get years of use out of that beast!! Just wondering what was the final weight?

 

ruralearl

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 22, 2007

29

11

N. E. IL

• Sep 20, 2014

• #36

Len,  Thanks, thinking ribs if work doesn't interfere.

Wolfman, Thanks, forgot to weigh it, will see if I can remember if I store it for the winter (maybe there will be some decent days this winter).  Anyway it didn't collapse the deck.

Regards,  Earl