Insulating Round Firebox

josheaton · Apr 7, 2017

Looking for some help from some people who have already been down this road...

I’m building an offset with a 250 gallon tank. I’ve got everything finished except the firebox and trailer. I’m trying to find solutions to insulate the firebox, in the easiest / most functionally attractive way possible. (That was a mouthful)

I’ve thought about just loading the bottom with firebricks and calling it a day, but that’s not the most elegant solution. This is what I have now. The tank I cut for the firebox is 1/4 inch thick and heavy as a mother...

2017-03-24 16.29.47.jpg

josheaton
Apr 7, 2017

crankybuzzard · Apr 7, 2017

Hard firebricks aren't insulating, they will transfer quite a bit of the heat right on through. Soft firebrick is insulating, but not a good idea to use in an open fire box.

If you can get a piece of pipe that is 2" over sized, or 2" undersized, you could do it coaxial and use ceramic fiber wool for the insulation.

That's one idea.

josheaton · Apr 7, 2017

CrankyBuzzard said:
Hard firebricks aren't insulating, they will transfer quite a bit of the heat right on through. Soft firebrick is insulating, but not a good idea to use in an open fire box.

If you can get a piece of pipe that is 2" over sized, or 2" undersized, you could do it coaxial and use ceramic fiber wool for the insulation.

That's one idea.

So I've got a 30 inch diameter section of tank there. You're saying get a 28 inch section and weld it in?

crankybuzzard · Apr 7, 2017

That would work. Use tabs to keep it centered for insertion. After welding on the tabs, you would then apply the insulation batts to the insert and slide it in place. Weld up both ends and it'll be sealed up and insulated. Your doors would be cut out of both pieces and then "sealed" up with strap around the edges since it too would have insulation in it.

Now, by doing this you WILL change the dynamics of how the pit draws now and would need to compensate for that in other areas such as opening from FB to smoke chamber, stack height or diameter, etc...

I'm sure there are other options, this was just the first that came to mind...

gary s · Apr 7, 2017

Good advice. If I were doing that I would use a smaler pipe inside what you have and use Rockwool fiber board in between that will do the trick.

Gunna be Nice !!!

Gary

josheaton · Apr 7, 2017

Well that is about 300 dollars worth of steel, any other ideas?

gary s · Apr 7, 2017

If you have access to Plate which should be cheaper, You could build a Box around your pipe and insulate it the same way.

Question Since you live in South LA is it necessary to have an insulated FB ? They are nice and more efficient but if you are staying on a budget I wouldn't worry about it.

Gary

gary s · Apr 7, 2017

I'm in East Texas (Tyler area) don't have an insulated FB and Never had any problems

Gary

sxfxz · Apr 7, 2017

I boxed it in a whole lot cheaper than I could have by putting a sleeve in. I also wanted to get as much internal volume as possible. My firebox is 1/4 the size of my cook chamber.

sxfxz · Apr 7, 2017

I'm pretty sure Franklin uses a 26" pipe, his firebox is tiny.

josheaton · Apr 7, 2017

My firebox is pretty massive. I may just start out without insulating and see how it goes. This is what it currently looks like.

2017-03-24 16.13.57.jpg

josheaton
Apr 7, 2017

2017-04-06 16.36.32.jpg

josheaton
Apr 7, 2017

2017-04-06 16.36.50.jpg

josheaton
Apr 7, 2017

sxfxz · Apr 7, 2017

http://s10.photobucket.com/user/SxFxZ/media/A41680AF-0EFC-4F22-A408-9D1B8D880DE1.jpg.html

Mines pretty large too. But my cook chamber is also 4 times your size. lol It should still draft regardless. The further away your fire is from your opening the more cook surface you can use. I have a 1,000 gallon tank and the first door is useless, and that's with my firebox being so large. Franklin's first door runs too hot too. Great build though! Your efforts will be well rewarded!

smokin peachey · Apr 7, 2017

Did you get a price on getting a piece of 1/4 rolled with a smaller diameter to slide inside your existing firebox? That is what I used.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/250565/500-gallon-tank-build

gr0uch0 · Apr 7, 2017

I'm with Gary: you're in NOLA. I don't get why you'd need an insulated FB.

daveomak · Apr 8, 2017

Attach Z bar to the Fire Box... You can get or make 1" Z bar from 16-20 gauge sheet metal... Attach then insulate, then form a 20 gauge skin.....

The same will work for insulating the CC....

Keep the smoker out of the weather....

Fire Box Insulating.jpg

daveomak
Apr 8, 2017

josheaton · Apr 10, 2017

I had about 2/3 of a leftover 250 gallon tank from the firebox. I've decided to cut the end off it, cut about a four inch section out of it, and then bend it to close the gap. I'll throw that piece in the firebox and weld it in place. I like the cost of this option the best - $0.00

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