Finally pulled the trigger on my new smoker - BELL FAB!!!

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rob sicc

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
May 5, 2008
725
26
new jersey
Hi Everyone,

For the past year or more, I have been reading threads and posting questions about my next smoker purchase.

At some point, someone mentioned contact Craig at Bell Fab.  It was the best advice I could have received.  It is fun just talking with Craig.  He seems like a good guy and he really knows his craft.

My primary need was surface space because I make a lot of beef jerky.  I also wanted to be able to use it for brisket, or a big pork butt or maybe possibly even a small pig.  We spoke and decides on a vertical smoke.  

I ordered a 5'h x 32"w x 24d.

Craig put me in his queue about a month ago and told me he would contact me when he was ready to start.  Well, I got that call this week.  He should be done in about 2 weeks so I'm hoping to have it for Christmas.  I feel like a kid waiting for that special gift Christmas morning. 

I asked Craig to take a lot of pictures and send them to me so I can post here.  I will post once I get them.

Thank you to everyone that every replied with any suggestions and to the person that suggested Bell Fab.

Happy Holidays folks! 
 
Just hung up the phone with Craig. He was laughing like crazy because he had to tell me how big this thing is turning out. He said it's going to be at least 6 and. Half feet tall. I'm gonna need a step.ladder for the top trays. Lol

He will be sending pictures Saturday hopefully.
 
Ok folks, here my first picture from Craig @ Bell Fab.  I think I went big enough.  

I figure if I can fit in it, It would be big enough.

 
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Looks good Rob...that thing's gonna be a beast!  Where's the firebox gonna be?  Is it a Backwoods-type clone with the coal basket in the bottom of the chamber, or more like the design of your Dyna-glo with an offset firebox?

Either way, looks like you'll be able to get enough meat in that thing to feed a small army!  
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Red
 
Wow Rob that thing's gonna be huge!  I live about 40 miles east of Tulsa, where Craig Bell's shop is.  I've visited with him a time or 2...a great guy who really knows his stuff and works hard to make a quality product.  Every pit I've seen made by him is top-drawer craftsmanship.

Does he still say it should be ready by Christmas?  As big as that beast is gonna be, shipping it from Tulsa to Jersey will be no small feat!  

Red
 
Hi Red,

Craig said it will be done tomorrow.  The grates are done.  I forgot how many grates he made at this point.  I think there will be 8.  How far would you space them?  I am using this to make Jerky so I don't need a lot of clearance.  Any thoughts?  I think he is painting tomorrow.  Additional picture were promised tonight or tomorrow.

I think this really is going to be a beast.  I also agree with everything you've said about Craig.  He is a pip to talk with and you can tell how knowledgeable he is.  I also am not looking forward to the shipping bill.  I'll post something about it once it's here.
 
Rob, that thing is really nice. I'm glad you're having a good experience getting it built. If you're excited now, wait until you fire that beast up.

Good luck with it and a Merry Christmas to you and your family. Joe
 
The grates are done.  I forgot how many grates he made at this point.  I think there will be 8.  How far would you space them?  I am using this to make Jerky so I don't need a lot of clearance.  Any thoughts?

If it were being built for me, I'd want all the grates equally spaced as far apart as the vertical space will allow. You may not need a lot of clearance very often, but as long as the grates are removable you can always pull some of them out when you cook butts, briskets, or whole poultry, where you would need the extra clearance.

Red
 
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Rob, looks like a dyna glo on roids. Will it have a baffle or tuning plates to even out that hot spot? Love to see a picture of what he designed since im ready to decide on a baffle/plate for mine. Really nice work, your a lucky man.
 
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OK Friends.  The moment I l know I've been waiting for.  Here is the finished product..  I can't wait to see it in my driveway.  Hopefully before Christmas.

I will be honest.  I am a little intimidated There are a lot of vents.  I don't know which open and close and which don't move.  I'm sure I will have questions once I get it home.

Let me know what you think.





 
Rob, that's a really awesome looking smoker. I'm sure you'll get a lot of great cooks from her. I think I'm pretty good at fire management, but like you said, that's a lot of vents.
 
Thank you Joe.  Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.  Have a happy and healthy holiday. 
 
Hi Whimpy69,  Funny thing.  I told my friends exactly what you said,  "it's going to look like my old smoke on steroids!"  Great minds think alike.  
 
Rob, that's a really awesome looking smoker. I'm sure you'll get a lot of great cooks from her. I think I'm pretty good at fire management, but like you said, that's a lot of vents.
Joe,  I don't know how it's going to run but I can'y wait to experiment with it.  
 
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